Introduction to Indoor Agriculture

Catalog description

Students are exposed to fundamental theory and techniques in indoor agriculture. Class discussion will incorporate a history of traditional agriculture and an analysis of the role that indoor agriculture can play in addressing needs and inequities present in the modern food system. Technical and theoretical aspects of open field agriculture, hydroponics, aquaculture, and aquaponics will be discussed. Students will gain practical experience with designing, operating, and maintaining an indoor production facility on the west campus. Scientific Literacy Core Outcomes will be addressed, and these topics are inherently covered in the course curriculum. The following information identifies some of the ways in which the Scientific Literacy Core Outcomes will be addressed throughout this course. Foundational knowledge of biological principles are addressed through discussing biological requirements of plant growth and fish health, as well as through discussing the ecological principles revolving around balancing a system incorporating fish, plants and bacteria. Procedures and methods are addressed through the discussion of how the scientific method is involved in developing effective and reliable techniques in agriculture, including controlled experiments that result in meaningful data that can be used to inform agricultural practice. Experiments and studies are discussed, and students are encouraged to theoretically develop studies to collect useful information surrounding the practices of indoor and traditional agriculture. Scientific data analysis is addressed as students will evaluate data from studies conducted on campus and elsewhere, which will allow them to analyze data and draw conclusions from information obtained through effective research. Application of scientific knowledge obtained through this course will occur as students seek to find potential solutions to address food insecurity, environmental stress, and other challenges to modern agricultural practice.