First Year Seminar 191CNS56 - FYS- Topics in CNS

First-year (R1ST) Title: Wilting World: The Hidden Plant Pandemic
What happens when plants get sick? Plant diseases are widespread and often invisible threats that can devastate ecosystems and disrupt agriculture. This course will dive into the hidden world of plant pathogens and explore how their impacts ripple far beyond the fields and forests. From blights that ruin harvests to fungi that alter entire ecosystems, we'll discuss how plant diseases affect plants, the environment, and even our daily lives. Real-world case studies, cutting-edge research, and current efforts to combat these plant pandemics will take center stage. You'll also have the opportunity to explore research happening right here at UMass and discover how you can get involved! Our discussions about research will include how to use AI in writing and how to think critically about your own potential research topics.