ENV 4100 Biotechnology and Sustainability

This course emphasizes the vast possibilities offered by biotechnology for sustainable development through the study of specific cases in Costa Rica. In this sense, Costa Rica, despite its comparatively small geographical size and population, has consolidated as the most advanced country in the region when it comes to biotechnological research. This course will explore the reasons why and correlate them with the role of sustainable development in this process. Fundamental and applied concepts of biotechnology will be explored and discussed in terms of life, environmental and social sciences. This course will be heavily based on the study of cases in which biotechnology has become into the best solution for social and environmental situations through the case analysis, and the participation of companies, associations and experts related to this technology. Therefore, the purpose of this course is to provide to any professional with an interest in biotechnology a sense in what is biotechnology and how can co-exist with sustainable development from the experiences in Costa Rica.