How do we feed a planet of 10 billion people without destroying it in the process? That's the ambitious question at the heart of a new course launching at the University of Arkansas in spring 2026.

BENG4520V-003: Feeding 10 Billion: Humanity's Greatest Challenge, taught by professor Marty Matlock in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, invites students from all majors to explore one of the most pressing issues facing our generation. With no engineering background needed, the course is designed to be accessible and beneficial to undergraduate students across campus. Each student should inquire how it could fit in their curriculum.

"Most of humanity has been free from the tyranny of hunger over the past 70 years. We have 2 billion more people coming to dinner in the next 25 years; we will explore ways humanity can achieve the first sustainable development goal of ending hunger while preserving ecosystem integrity for other life," Matlock said.

The course explores the vast scale of our current food system, which produces over 20 trillion kilocalories daily. It also addresses uncomfortable truths about this system, such as its use of 45% of Earth's land surface and 70% of the collected water, all while leaving a billion people at risk of starvation. Students will wrestle with questions that blend science, ethics and innovation, like, what limits food production? How can we create a more equitable system? What responsibilities do we have toward future generations?

Rather than only dwelling on the challenges, the course will empower students to envision solutions. Through exploring topics from climate impacts to nutritional security to technological innovation, students will develop critical thinking skills applicable far beyond agriculture.

"Dr. Matlock is a renowned communicator on this subject, recognized for his passion for driving understanding and action toward the wicked challenges facing our world. This generation of students will be developing the solutions. We want a wide array of voices at the table," said Terry Howell Jr., head of the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department.

The course is part of a growing recognition that feeding humanity sustainably will require creative minds from all disciplines, from business students understanding food economics to social science majors addressing equity issues to aspiring engineers developing new technologies.

BENG 4520V-003: Feeding 10 Billion will meet on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 9:40-10:30 a.m. in Bell Engineering Center room 2284 in spring 2026. Students interested in registration should talk to their academic adviser about adding this class to their spring 2026 schedule.

For more information, students and academic advisers are encouraged to contact professor Matlock at mmatlock@uark.edu.

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About the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering: The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Arkansas develops engineering solutions for critical challenges in food production, water resources, environmental sustainability, and agricultural systems. Through interdisciplinary research and education, the department prepares students to address global issues such as food security, natural resource management, and environmental stewardship. For more information, visit engineering.uark.edu/bio-ag-engineering.