This course explores ecosystem dynamics among plants, marine life, microbes, and humans and the ways that biotechnology can alter those dynamics and influence planetary health. Class sessions involve discussions, lab experiments, and small group work. Course resources include videos, animations, interactives and text that examine ecological conservation, habitat disruption, and loss of biodiversity. These concepts are explored through four lab modules: 1) manipulating microbes to source sustainable dyes; 2) applying ethnopharmacology to source antibiotics and explore antibiotic resistance; 3) designing microbial factories to produce drugs and other products; and 4) screening local foods for genetic modification. Students will write up lab reports and papers and will also be assessed on their performance of lab experimentation. This course satisfies the Science Lab requirement for the Interdisciplinary Science and Environmental Studies majors/minors. LSCI 2040 Genes, Environment and Behavior or a college course in genetics is a prerequisite.