Plant and Soil Sciences Courses

Program | Faculty | Courses

All courses carry 3 credits unless otherwise specified.

500 Tissue Culture Technique (2nd sem, odd yrs)

With lab. Basic techniques involved in plant cell, tissue, and organ culture as they relate to biotechnology, horticulture, agriculture, botany, and plant pathology. Equipment, media formulation, and environmental factors. Other topics include anther culture, meristem culture, embryo culture, callus culture, cell suspensions, propagation, somatic cell genetics, disease elimination, and genetic engineering. By consent of instructor only. Prerequisite: Biol 400 or equivalent. Mr. Marcotrigiano

515 Microbiology of the Soil Environment (2nd sem)

With lab. Microbial processes in the soil and sediment environment; ecology of the various microbial communities; the decomposition of organic matter, carbon transformation, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus and other mineral transformations. Chemistry of these reactions and their biogeochemical implications. Biological equilibrium, the rhizosphere, and microbial associations. Prerequisites: basic biology and chemistry courses. Consent of instructor for other than junior and seniors. Also listed as Envsci 515. Credit, 4. Mr. Simkins

520 Physiology of Crop Yield (1st sem)

With lab. Yield relationships with specific crops and management factors influencing the upper limits to yields. Lab: investigations in crop systems and computer applications. Prerequisite: Plsoil 350 or 325 or consent of instructor. Mr. Herbert

530 Plant Nutrition (1st sem)

With lab. The acquisition, transport, translocation, distribution, and function of the essential inorganic elements in plants. Genetic control of plant nutrition and ecological adaptation to nutritional variables. Diagnosis of nutritional disorders. Prerequisites: Plsoil 100 and 105, Chem 112. Credit, 4. Mr. Barker

540 Plant Breeding (1st sem)

An introduction to the principles of plant breeding. Topics cover basic breeding methods, genetic engineering, reproductive systems of crop plants, inbreeding depression and hybrid vigor, interspecific hybridization, use of genetic markers for crop improvement, breeding for disease resistance, conservation of germplasm and crop evolution. Students also gain hands-on experience in the greenhouse and lab. Prerequisite: Biol 400 or equivalent. Mr. Bernatzky

545 Postharvest Physiology (2nd sem)

The basic biochemical and physiological processes occurring in fruits, vegetables, and flowers after harvest; postharvest treatments to modify these processes. Prerequisites: Chem 111, 112; Biol 511, 512 desirable. Credit, 4. Mr. Bramlage

550 Plant Growth Regulators in Agriculture (2nd sem)

The involvement of naturally occurring plant hormones and the influence that synthetic plant growth regulators have on the physiology and development of the plant. Also, the use and potential use of plant growth regulators in food, fiber and flowering plant production. Prerequisites: Biol 100, Plsoil 100. Mr. Greene

555 Environmental Stress and Plant Growth (1st sem, even yrs)

Identification of environmental stresses affecting crop plant growth and development. Emphasis on terminology and techniques employed in study of stress physiology. Water, temperature, and salt stresses emphasized; consideration given to atmospheric pollution and radiation stress. The physiological effects of environmental stresses on plants and mechanisms of avoidance or tolerance. Prerequisite: Biol 511 or consent of instructor. Mr. Bernatzky

560 Advanced Weed Science
(2nd sem, odd yrs)

Ecological concepts in weed management; historical and ecological perspectives. Weed-crop competition and allelopathy; reproductive strategy; seed dormancy, seed production, allocation of resources in perennial weeds. The physiology and biochemistry of herbicides in plants and their relationships with the soil environment. Prerequisite: Plsoil 310 or consent of instructor. Mr. Bhowmik

565 Soil Formation, Classification and Land Use (2nd sem)

With lab. Effect of environmental factors on soil formation and land use. Relationship between soil morphology, classification, and use interpretations. Application of soils information to on-site sewage disposal, wetland identification, and other environmentally significant problem areas. Prerequisite: introductory course in chemistry, geology, soil, or environmental science; or consent of instructor. Credit, 4. Mr. Veneman

570 Soil Physics (2nd sem)

With lab. Physical properties of soils and how they relate to water and solute movement in hydrologic systems, energy exchange, plant-soil-water relations, environmental problems, and soil-water management. Prerequisites: basic courses in mathematics, chemistry, and physics, or consent of instructor.

575 Soil Chemistry (1st sem)

With lab. Chemical reactions that occur in soils. Topics include the nature and properties of soil minerals, cations exchange, soil acidity, and chemical relations in soils of plant nutrients and soil amendments. Prerequisites: Chem 112, Plsoil 105. Credit, 4. Mr. Xing

580 Soil Fertility (1st sem)

The role of mineral elements in the growth of plants; plant response to fertilizers and other soil amendments; soil reaction, mineral deficiencies and toxicities; environmental impact of soil fertility management practices. Prerequisites: Plsoil 100, 105 or equivalent. Mr. Cox

597B Soils Field Trip (2nd sem)

Regional field trip in soil formation and classification to Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia or Pennsylvania in even years and to northern states in odd years. Pre-requisites: Plsoil 565, 566. Mr. Veneman

597C Solid Waste Technology (1st sem)

Technical, environmental, political, and economic issues associated with solid waste management in the U.S. Topics include landfill design and operation, groundwater pollution from leachate, recycling, composting, mass burn incineration, refuse derived fuel, sludge disposal, and hazardous wastes. Guest speakers, field trips, extensive student involvement. Prerequisites: college algebra, introductory chemistry, introductory physics, biology or consent of instructor. Mr. Lavigne

597D Sexual Plant Reproduction (2nd sem, odd yrs)

The breeding systems of plants, especially flowering plants and cultivated species. Basic and applied aspects of inbreeding and outbreeding populations, hermaphroditic and unisexual individuals, plant-pollinator relationships, and the genetics and molecular biology of self-incompatibility. Prerequisite: Biol 400 or equivalent. Mr. Boyle, Mr. Mulcahy

597E Biospherics (2nd sem)

Research and issues relating to the development of bioregenerative life support systems for extraterrestrial environments, with emphases on production of food and recycling of matter. Prerequisites: two biology courses including one in plant biology, and two chemistry courses. Credit, 2. Mr. Corey

597F Field Methods for Environmental Testing

Training in environmental field testing procedures used in analysis of various environmental problems. Includes weekly projects on such topics as air testing, m testing, environmental site assessment, testing for asbestos, radon, and formaldehyde, ground water contamination assessment, and landfill monitoring techniques. Prepares student for work in environmental field. Each project incorporates performance and written evaluations for grading purposes. Prerequisites: general chemistry, physics and biology and Plsoil 597P. Mr. Lavigne

597L Wetland Delineation, Federal Procedure (1st sem)

All aspects of the federal procedure for wetland identification and delineation. Includes wetland classification, wetland plant identification, hydric soils recognition and various delineation procedures. Classroom instruction, followed by field exercises; individual delineation project; literature studies required for final report. Credit, 2. Mr. Veneman

597O Organic Contaminants in Soils, Waters, and Sediments (1st sem, odd yrs)

Transport and fate of manmade compounds in natural and managed environments: abiotic and biotic effects including partitioning, interfaces, concentration, biodegradation and biotransformation. Examination of specific examples of compounds and classes of contaminants in affected environments, such as pesticides and petroleum products in soil and ground water. Prerequisites: Chem 261, 262. Mr. Simkins

597P Pollution Control Science and Technology (1st sem)

Surveys state-of-the-art equipment and methodologies used to reduce or control land, air, and water pollution. Unit operations and processes involved in the treatment of waste water and drinking water, and in control of emissions from refuse and hazardous wastes incinerators, and fossil fuel power plants. Low technology "living filter" treatment systems utilizing natural processes as part of the treatment method. Prerequisites: introductory biology, chemistry and physics; one semester of calculus. Mr. Lavigne

597S Principles of Environmental Site Assessment (2nd sem)

Principles of environmental site assessment and report preparation based on the Massachusetts Contingency Plan for the release of oil and hazardous materials. Remediation techniques for clean-up of contaminated sites. Guest speakers from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and private companies specializing in environmental site remediation techniques as available. Includes research, site inspection, data interpretation, and preparation of individual assessent reports.

597W Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment (1st sem)

Aquatic plant selection, sizing, and design techniques. Pollution parameters of primary concern include BOD, suspended solids, nutrients, heavy metals, pathogens, organics. Treatment applications include primary and secondary effluents and sludges; storm water and agricultural runoff; solid and hazardous waste leachates, liquid industrial wastes. Field trips, student projects. Prerequisites: college algebra, introductory chemistry, introductory physics, biology; or consent of instructor. Mr. Lavigne

597X Inorganic Contaminants
(2nd sem, even yrs)

Physical, chemical, and biological factors involved in the fate and effects of heavy metals and other inorganic contaminants in soils, sediments, and groundwater. Bioleaching, acid mine drainage, and environmental bioremediation also covered. Mr. Xing

602 Research Literature (both sem)

Critical review of the scientific literature in an area of specialization.

661 Intermediate Biometry (1st sem)

Supplies background necessary to design and analyze field and laboratory experiments. Focus on statistical analysis for agricultural scientists. Primary emphasis on analysis of variance, regression, and experimental design. Computer-assisted analysis presented. Prerequisites: a course in basic statistial analysis. Mr. Autio

696 Independent Study (both sem)

Selected research problems not related to a candidate's Master's thesis. Credit, 1-6.

699 Master's Thesis

Maximum credit, 9.

745 Microbial Ecology of the Soil (2nd sem)

The biochemistry and molecular biology of interactions among microorganisms and other biota in the soil environment. Includes a critical review of current literature. Prerequisite: Plsoil 515 or consent of instructor. Mr. Simkins

791 Seminar Preparation and Presentation (1st sem)

Training and experience in oral communication. Required once of all candidates for advanced degrees and should be taken in the first year of enrollment in the program. Credit, 2. Mr. Herbert

792Y Seminar

Departmental seminar. Both sem. Expected of Master's candidates.

793 Seminar (both sem)

Departmental seminar. Master's candidates attend seminar meetings and present results of their thesis research to faculty and students at a regular seminar meeting which is open to the public.

802 Research Literature (both sem)

Critical review of the scientific literature in an area of specialization.

830 Advanced Soil Chemistry

Lecture and discussion of current theories of the chemistry of soils. Consent of instructor required. Mr. Xing

892Y Seminar

Same as Plsoil 792Y; available to doctoral candidates.

893 Seminar

Same as Plsoil 793; required of doctoral candidates.

896 Independent Study (both sem)

Selected research problems not related to a candidate's doctoral dissertation. Credit, 1-6.

899 Doctoral Dissertation

Maximum credit, 9.

Related Courses

The following courses are undergraduate/grad-uate courses in the environmental sciences ma-jor taught by faculty in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences:

ENVSCI 510 River Survey Methods (1st sem)

With lab. Implementation of a river survey, employing biological, microbiological, chemical and statistical parameters. Selected readings. Preparation of survey report. Prerequisite: ENVSCI 303.

ENVSCI 530 Aquatic Toxicology (1st sem)

With lab. Application of theory of biological methods for evaluating water quality. Prerequisite: ENVSCI 303.