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100
-- Basic
Plant Science (Fall)
(BSL) 3 cr, Torello, 20C Stockbridge
Lecture. Focuses on world crop production and environmental
constraints. Stresses general aspects of plant growth, physiological
responses of plants to the environment, and manipulation of the
plants and their environment to further agricultural production.
Required text: Plant Science, Barden, Half acre and Parrish,
1987. Three exams. Prerequisite: None, high school chemistry recommended.
105 -- Soils
(Spring and Fall)
(BSL) 4 cr, Simkins, 12A Stockbridge
Lecture, lab. Interrelationship of soils and higher plants.
Physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils. Practical
approach to current problems through basic soil principles. Text:
The Nature and Properties of Soils, Brady, 11th ed. Two-hour
exams, final. Prerequisite: high school chemistry or equivalent.
115 -- Plants, Soils,
and the Environment (Spring)
(I) 3 cr, Picking, 206 French
Lecture. Application of scientific principles to the description,
interpretation, and evaluation of current environmental problems
affecting plants, soils, and people. Topics include ecology, biodiversity
and the conservation of plant resources, soils and their preservation,
food resources and agriculture, wetlands and water resource management.
Text: Environment, Raven, Berg, Johnson (1998). Written assignments,
two one-hour exams, final.
120 -- Organic
Farming and Gardening (Spring)
(BSL) 3 cr, Barker, 202 Bowditch
Lecture, lab. Introduction to principles of soil fertility and
crop management by organic procedures which are contrasted and evaluated
against conventional chemical methods of farming. A science course.
Texts: Notes on Organic Farming and Gardening, Barker; and Guide to Fertilization of Garden and Landscape Plants, Barker.
Exams, final exam, lab reports.
200 -- Plant Propagation (Fall)
3 cr, Staff,
Lecture, lab. The basic principles and techniques for propagating
plants by both sexual and asexual means, including seeds, cuttings,
bulbs, and tissue culture. The hormonal and physiological factors
affecting rooting, seed dormancy, grafting, budding, and layering.
Text (recommended): Plant Propagation, Principles and Practices,
Hartmann, Kester, Davies, and Geneve; 6th ed. Lab quizzes, hour
exams, final. Prerequisite: BIOLOGY103 or equivalent.
210 -- Retail
Floral Design (Fall)
3 cr, Garrabrants, 103 Stockbridge
Lecture, lab. Emphasis on the techniques and diversity of styles
utilized by professional florists. The principles involved in creating
and constructing marketable floral arrangements including wedding
and funeral designs. Term project, two exams, weekly grading of
lab projects.
230 -- Introductory Turfgrass Management (Fall)
3 cr, Ebdon, 12F Stockbridge
Lecture, lab. Basic principles of selecting and managing turf
grass for home lawns, parks, golf courses, and other turf areas.
Topics include climatic adaptation, grass identification, establishment
practices, pest control, fertility, environmental stresses, mowing,
etc. Text: Turf grass Management, Turgeon. Lab quizzes, two
one-hour exams, final. Prerequisites: (or concurrently) BIOLOGY103
and PLNTSOIL 105 or consent of instructor.
232 -- Turf Machinery and Repair (Fall)
3 cr, Griffin, 22 Stockbridge
Lecture, lab. Principles of engines and machinery operation,
maintenance, selection and minor repair. Agriculture and turf grass
equipment emphasized. Fifteen-week course.
234 -- Irrigation and Drainage (Spring)
3 cr, Griffin, 22 Stockbridge
Lecture, lab. Principles of hydraulics and system design for
golf courses. Irrigation planning and layout of irrigation systems;
equipment performance and selection; installation practices and
operation procedures.
235 -- Pruning
Fruit Crops (Spring)
2 cr, Autio, 205 Bowditch
Lecture, lab. Theory and practice of pruning deciduous fruit
plants/trees. Practical, hands-on experience is the focus of the
class. Grades will be based on several quizzes and class participation.
240 --Applied Calculations in Turfgrass Management (Spring)
2 cr, Ebdon, 12-F Stockbridge
Lecture. Calculations involving area and volume measurements,
fertilizer and pesticide requirements, cost analysis, seed calculations,
irrigation calculations, and calculations relating to spreader and
sprayer claibrations. Prerequisite: PLNTSOIL 230.
250 -- Bedding Plant Production (Spring)
2 cr, Boyle, 202 French
Lecture, lab. Survey of plants started under controlled environmental
conditions and sold to home gardeners and landscapers for use outdoors.
Emphasis on culture, crop scheduling, identification, and utilization
in the landscape. Prerequisite: BIOLOGY103 or equivalent, and PLNTSOIL
315 or permission of instructor.
Eight-week course.
255 -- Herbaceous Plants (Spring)
3cr, Cox, 12C Stockbridge
Lecture, lab. Study and identification of herbaceous plants;
their uses as ornamental plants for home, park, and business.
265 -- Sustainable
Agriculture (Fall)
3 cr, Gerber, 210 French Hall
Lecture,
lab. This course is designed for agriculture and non-agriculture
students who want to explore ethical, practical and scientific aspects
of the quest for long term agricultural sustainability in the U.S.
The course will include field trips, lectures, discussion of current
topics, decision case studies, assigned readings, weekly writing
and individual research. Students will: 1) ...learn to think critically
from a scientific, social and personal framework using indicators
of sustainability and agroecological principles; 2) ... learn to
evaluate the impact of farming practices on the farm economy, the
natural environment and human society and 3) Learn about specific
farming practices and evaluate these with respect to the long-term
sustainability of agriculture in the US.
275 -- Turfgrass
Physiology and Ecology (Spring)
3 cr, Torello, 20C Stockbridge
Lecture, lab. An introduction to basic concepts in agricultural
chemistry as related to the growth and culture of turf grasses for
the first half of the semester. The second half of the semester
details the overall growth and development of grasses including
such areas as soil fertility and mineral nutrition. Prerequisite:
PLNTSOIL 230
280 -- Herbs,
Spices, and Medicinal Plants (Spring)
3 cr, Craker, 12A Stockbridge
Lecture, la b. Introduction to the growth, culture, and science
related to the production and use of herbs, spices, and medicinal
plants. Emphasis on plants used in the home with discussions on
bioactivity of plant extracts. Laboratory practice in seeding, growing,
oil extraction, and utilization of these plants. Examinations, project
and identification of selected herbs. No prerequisite.
297F -- Commercial Floral Design II (Fall)
3 cr, Garrabrants, 103 Stockbridge
Lecture, lab. Advanced floral design techniques used to create innovative
arrangements, wedding, and funeral designs. Students will design
with fresh, silk, and dried flowers. In addition, flower shop management
will be discussed including marketing, pricing, purchasing, personnel
management, and promotional programs. The laboratory will provide
the practical experience for the design techniques presented. Term
projects, two exams, weekly grading of lab projects. Pre-requisite:
PLNTSOIL 210.
300 -- Deciduous Orchard Science (Fall, odd years)
3 cr, Greene, 304 Bowditch
Lecture, lab. Principles and practices involved in the establishment
and management of deciduous orchards.
305 -- Small Fruit Production
(Fall, even years)
3 cr, Greene, 304 Bowditch
Lecture, lab. Principles and practices governing the establishment
and management of small fruit planting s. No prerequisites.
310 -- Principles
of Weed Management (Fall)
3 cr, Bhowmik, 10 Stockbridge
Lecture, lab. History of weed control; importance of weeds and
their relationship to man and the environment; ecology of weeds,
competition, persistence and survival mechanisms; reproduction,
seed germination, and dormancy; methods of weed control, cultural,
biological, chemical, and integrated pest management strategies;
classification of herbicides and their selectivity; soil factors
affecting herbicide performance, persistence and degradation; application
equipment and calibration of sprayers; weed management systems for
various crops and non-crop areas. Text: Weed Science--Principles
and Applications, 3rd ed., Anderson, W.P., West Publishing Company.
315 -- Greenhouse Management (Fall)
4 cr, Boyle, 202 French
Lecture, lab. An introduction to the greenhouse environment
and the technology used in production of greenhouse crops. Lab includes
greenhouse experiments in crop production; exercises on greenhouse
structures, heating and cooling, growing media, crop nutrition,
photoperiod control and lighting, and crop scheduling. Field trip
to local greenhouses. Text: Greenhouse Management, Longhand;
3rd ed. Three one-hour exams, take-home problem sets. Prerequisite:
BIOLOGY103 or equivalent.
321 -- Greenhouse Crop Production I (Fall)
3 cr, Han, 204B French
Lecture, lab. Greenhouse culture of seasonal crops, stressing
modern concepts of production and management. Prerequisite:
PLNTSOIL 315.
325 -- Principles of Vegetable
Crops (Spring)
4 cr, Mangan,
Lecture, lab. Principles of production of vegetable crops; emphasis
on cultural practices used in home gardens and in commercial operations.
Prerequisite: Introductory Plant Science or Biology course.
335 -- Greenhouse Crop Production II (Spring)
3 cr, Han, 204-B French
Lecture, lab. Greenhouse culture of spring greenhouse crops.
Prerequisites: PLNTSOIL 315 and PLNTSOIL 321. Project, two exams
and a final.
340 -- Advanced Turfgrass Management (Spring)
3 cr, Torello/Ebdon, 20C/12F Stockbridge
Lecture. Management of environmental stress in turf grass. Special
practices in managing high quality turf grass areas such as golf
courses, athletic fields, and ornamental areas. Prerequisite: PLNTSOIL
275
350 -- Crop
Science (Spring)
3 cr, Herbert, 207 Bowditch
Lecture, lab. An examination of sustainable farming systems
for food, fiber, and forage crops including cultural requirements
and physiological responses. Illustrations of concepts, discussions
of topics and examination of distinguishing morphological characteristics
of selected crop species during laboratory sessions. Quizzes, mid-term,
final. Prerequisites: BIOLOGY103 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
360 -- Nursery Management (Spring)
4 cr, Lecture, lab.
This is a comprehensive course in nursery crops production, covering
administrative and cultural practices used in the production of
both field-grown and container-grown ornamental plants. Topics include
site selection, organization, inventory control, nutrient management,
irrigation, plant growth and development, alternative production
systems,over wintering, and pest control with an emphasis on integrated
pest management. Prerequisites: PLNTSOIL 105. ENVIRDES 335 highly
recommended.
365 -- Hydroponics
(Spring)
4 cr, Barker, 202 Bowditch
Lecture, lab. Instruction and practice on soilless culture of plants
by hydroponics. Topics include plant nutrition, nutrient solutions,
media, systems and techniques of hydroponics, and marketing. Two
lectures and two laboratories per week. Text: Hydroponics,
Jones,1997. Exam, final exam, lab reports. Prerequisite: PLNTSOIL
105, 120 or consent of instructor. Chemistry recommended.
370 -- Tropical
Agriculture (Fall)
3 cr, Herbert, 207 Bowditch
Lecture. Tropical regions of the world, their environment and classification;
influence of climate, population, and socio-economic conditions
on agriculture; major crops and cropping systems of sub-humid tropics;
introduction to dry land agriculture; importance of rainfall and
irrigation on productivity; green revolution; desertification; present
and future research needs of region and state of agricultural technology.
Two exams, final. No pre-requisites. Course package.
375 -- Soil
and Water Conservation (Fall, even years)
3 cr, Veneman, 19 Stockbridge
Lecture, lab. Soil management related to water and wind erosion
control. Environmental aspects of erosion. Cropping, tilling and
management effects on erosion and water quality. Landscape and soil
sustainability. Principles of soil drainage. Midterm and final exams,
term paper, class presentations. Prerequisite: PLNTSOIL 105 or equivalent.
380 -- Technical Writing (Fall)
3 Cr, Craker, 12A Stockbridge
Discussion. Satisfies the junior year writing requirement for
PLNTSOIL majors, through a series of writing exercises based on
the types of written materials commonly used in agriculture. Exercises
include developing and writing professional correspondence, resumes,
reports, and bibliographies. Work individually and in groups to
master sentence and paragraph structure. Oral presentation required.
Prerequisite: ENGLWP 112 or equivalent.
397C -- Community Food Systems (Spring)
3 cr, Carter, 210 Bowditch
Lecture, lab. This class will explore the movement of food
from the grower to the consumer. Emphasis will be on how consumers
get access to food from emergency and non-emergency sources. Direct
marketing, Community-Supported Agriculture, farmers' markets, and
small-scale farming will be discussed. Outside speakers from area
community food banks, CSA's, non-profit organizations, faith communities,
soup kitchens, and farmers' markets will lead discussions on various
topics related to food access. Two one-hour lectures and a two-hour
lab/discussion. This is a Service Learning Course.
397D -- Soil and Land Use (Fall, odd years)
3 cr, Veneman, 19 Stockbridge
Lecture. Principles of on-site sewage treatment; evaluating
the suitability of soils for on-site sewage disposal. Identification
of soil types, geological deposits, and hydrology in relation to
wastewater disposal. Identification of soil types, geological deposits,
and hydrology in relation to wastewater disposal in non-sewered
areas. Design of conventional and alternative Title 5 systems. Course
meets the basic requirements for the Massachusetts Soil Evaluators
training program. Prerequisites: knowledge of chemistry.
397P -- Introduction to Plant Physiology (Fall)
3 cr, Bernatzky, 204A French
Lecture. Basic aspects of water relations and mineral nutrition
in plants, plant biochemistry including photosynthesis, respiration
and synthesis of important compounds, topics in plant growth and
development such as growth regulators, photomorphogenesis and photoperiodism,
and environmental physiology. Prerequisites: Introductory botany
or biology and introductory chemistry.
397S --
Dialogue on Agricultural Issues
2 credits, Gerber/Carter, 210 French Hall
Students will be introduced to the technique of insight dialogue
while developing an individual and community-based ethical understanding
of current issues affecting American agriculture today. Issues may
include; Green Revolution, sustainability, globalization, spirituality,
genetic engineering, the politics of food, soil health, animal agriculture,
and organic agriculture. This course includes a weekly face-to-face
dialogue, reflective writings on the issues, and service learning
work on a community dialogue event. While the course is intended
for Plant and Soil Science students, it is open to any interested
junior, senior or graduate student.
398G -- Greenhouse Practicum
1 Cr, Beauchesne, French Hall Greenhouses
Students will receive individualized instruction from the greenhouse
staff. Greenhouse practicum will focus on teaching the following
skills: venting and temperature control, maintaining outdoor gardens,
harvesting of floricultural crops, post-harvest handling of floricultural
crops, fertilization, propagation (by seed, cuttings, division),
greenhouse maintenance, operation of greenhouse equipment (fertilizer
injector).
515 -- Soil
Microbiology (Spring)
3 cr, Simkins, 12A Stockbridge
Lecture. Microbial processes in the soil and sediment environment.
The 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. Midterms, final. Prerequisites:
Basic biology and organic chemistry, or permission of instructor.
Also listed as ENVIRSCI 515.
520 -- Crop
Physiology (Fall)
3 cr, Herbert, 207 Bowditch
Lecture. Physiology of crop plants, carbon fixation, partitioning,
growth and development, competition in crops, environmental factors
and yield relationships of crops. Text: Crop Ecology, Loomis,
R.S. and D.J. Connor. Prerequisite: PLNTSOIL 325 or 350 or consent
of instructor.
530 -- Plant
Nutrition (Fall)
4 cr, Barker, 202 Bowditch
Lecture, discussion, Lab. The acquisition, translocation, distribution,
and function of the essential inorganic elements in plants. Genetic
control of plant nutrition and ecological adaptation of plants to
nutritional variables. Diagnosis of plant nutritional disorders.
Text: Mineral Nutrition in Higher Plants, Marschner. Exams,
lab reports, problems, final. Optional honors section available.
540 -- Plant
Breeding (Fall)
3 cr, Bernatzky, 204A French
Lecture. The improvement of crop plants through plant breeding.
Emphasis is placed on the genetic principles underlying the breeding
methods for self and cross pollinated crops. The phenomena of inbreeding
depression and heterosis are explored. Comparisons are made of the
different selection procedures for simple and complex traits. Other
topics include breeding plants for disease resistance and adaptation
to stressful environments, use of genetic markers, interspecific
hybridization, the conservation and utilization of wild germplasm
and recent techniques in genetic engineering. Hour exams, term paper,
final. Prerequisite: BIOLOGY283 or similar course in introductory
genetics.
545 -- Postharvest
Physiology (Spring)
4 cr, Bramlage, 308 Bowditch
Lecture. The basic biochemical and physiological processes occurring
in fruits, vegetables, and flowers after harvest; post harvest treatments
to modify these processes. Text: Postharvest: An Introduction
to the Physiology and Handling of Fruits and Vegetables, Wills,
et al., 4th ed. (1998). Reading of periodicals required. Hour exams,
final. Prerequisite: CHEM 102, or permission of instructor.
550 -- Plant Growth Regulators in Agriculture (Spring)
3 cr, Greene, 304 Bowditch
Lecture. Lectures focus on the influence that naturally occurring
plant hormones have on regulating physiology, growth and development
in plants. Also discussed are the uses and potential uses of synthetic
plant growth regulators, cultural techniques, and horticultural
practices to improve the production of food, fiber, and ornamental
plants.
560 -- Advanced
Weed Science (Spring,odd years)
3 cr, Bhowmik, 10 Stockbridge
Lecture. 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: PLNTSOIL 310 or consent of instructor.
565 -- Soil
Formation, Classification and Land Use (Spring)
4 cr, Veneman, 19A Stockbridge
Lecture, lab, field trips. 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. Text: Soil Classification and Formation,
Buol, Hole and McCraken, 3rd ed. Hour exams, final, term paper,
lab reports, some full day field trips. Prerequisite: Introductory
course in chemistry, geology, soil or environmental science; or
consent of instructor.
570 -- Soil Physics (Fall, odd years)
3 cr. Lavigne, 12D Stockbridge
Lecture. Physical properties of soils and how they relate to
water and solute movement in hydrologic systems, energy exchange,
plant-soil relations, environmental problems, and soil-water management.
Text: Introduction to Soil Physics, Hillel. Two hour exams,
final. Prerequisites: Introductory course in physics, and chemistry,
course in geology, soil or environmental science recommended; or
consent of instructor.
575 -- Environmental
Soil Chemistry (Fall)
4 cr, Xing, 12B Stockbridge
Lecture, lab. The course describes fundamental chemical concepts/processes
in soils such as precipitation/dissolution, ion exchange, redox
reactions, partitioning and absorption, ion speciation and the nature
of soil minerals and organic matter. These concepts and computer
models are used to examine some current environmental, agricultural,
and engineering problems. The course also addresses how the chemical
processes affect fate, transport, and availability, remediation
of contaminants and nutrients in soils and other related terrestrial
environments. Problem sets, quizzes, midterm, final, and scholarly
review. Prerequisites: CHEM 111 & 112, PLNTSOIL 105 or consent
of instructor. Also listed as ENVIRSCI 575.
580 -- Soil
Fertility (Fall)
3 cr, Cox, 12C Stockbridge
Lecture. 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. Text to be determined. Three hour exams, several
writing assignments, no final. Prerequisites: PLNTSOIL 105,
CHEM 102 or 111, and introductory plant science course.
597L -- Wetland
Delineation (Fall)
3 cr, Veneman/Tiner, 19 Stockbridge
Lecture, lab. Wetland delineation using vegetation, hydrology
and soils. Vegetation identification and herbarium collection, hydria
soil identification, wetland hydrology indicators. Text: Various
titles, class handouts. One final exam, paper, field projects, class
presentation. Prerequisite: knowledge of chemistry.
597O -- Organic
Contaminants in Soil, Water, and Sediment (Fall, even yrs)
3 cr, Simkins, 12A Stockbridge
Transport and fate of man-made compounds in natural and managed
environments: a biotic 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, petroleum products,
and common solvents in soil and ground water, and methods for their
remediation.
597S -- Agricultural
Systems Thinking (Spring)
3 credits, Gerber, 210 French Hall
Lecture, Lab. Systems thinking is a way of understanding complex
real-world situations, such as those often encountered in food and
agricultural work. Systems approaches are needed to complement more
traditional scientific approaches and are particularly useful when
a problem under study: 1) is complex; 2) involves multiple relationships;
and/or 3) involves human decision-making. This course will introduce
students to systems tools for unraveling complexity and for personal
and professional decision-making. The purpose of the class is to
provide students with an opportunity to learn and practice systems
thinking to deepen their understanding of complex food and agricultural
systems. The classroom environment will be designed to encourage
co-learning of all participants. The class will engage in a real
world food and/or agricultural case study.
597W -- Constructed
Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment (Fall)
3 cr, Lavigne, 24 Stockbridge
Lecture. Aquatic plant selection, sizing, and design techniques.
Pollution parameters of primary concern are BOD, suspended solids,
nutrients, heavy metals, pathogens, organics. Treatment applications
include primary and secondary effluents and sludge's; storm water
and agricultural runoff; solid and hazardous waste leachates, liquids,
industrial wastes. Field trips, weekly homework assignments, student
projects. Text: Natural Systems for Waste Management and Treatment,
Reed, et al. Hourly and final exams. Prerequisites: college algebra,
introductory chemistry, introductory physics, Biology; or consent
of instructor.
597X -- Inorganic
Contaminants in Soil, Water, and Sediment (Spring)
3 cr, Xing, 12B Stockbridge
Lecture. The course discusses physical, chemical, and biological
factors affecting the fate and transport of heavy metals and other
inorganic contaminants in soil, water, and sediment. The course
also provides an introduction to the chemistry of heavy metals in
soil, their sources, pedogenic and geochemical behavior, and methods
used for their analysis. Additionally, remediation technologies,
options, and goals are also presented. Short reports, midterm and
final, term paper, and class presentation. Prerequisites: CHEM 111
& 112, college algebra, and some knowledge of transition metal
chemistry, or consent of instructor.
661 -- Intermediate
Biometry
4 cr, Autio, 205 Bowditch
Supplies background necessary to design and analyze field and laboratory
experiments. Focuses on statistical analysis for agricultural scientists.
Primary emphasis on analysis of variance, regression, and experimental
design. Computer-assisted analysis presented. Prerequisite: a course
in basic statistical analysis.
697A -- Data
Analysis & Interpretation
1 cr, Autio, 205 Bowditch
Students will gain experience in experimental design, data analysis,
personal-computer-based statistical software, and interpretation
of results. This informal class will include weekly presentations
of research by the participants and associated discussion surrounding
all aspects of the design and statistical analysis. Occasional topics
will be presented in a lecture format.
791A -- Seminar Methods (Spring)
3 cr, Herbert, 207 Bowditch
Lecture/lab. An introduction to presentation skills for oral and
poster representations. Emphasis placed on practical skills learned
and proficiency in computer methods to aid presentations. Classes
and exercises in word processing, computer graphics, computer spreadsheets,
slide and poster presentations, web page development, and image
scanning. Review of use of visual and numeric data in oral and poster
presentations. Preference given to graduate students.
792A -- Seminar (Both Semesters)
1 cr, Staff
Department seminar. Attendance required. For Masters candidates.
793A -- Seminar (Both Semesters)
1 cr, Staff
Department seminar. Masters candidates attend seminar meetings and
present results of their thesis research to faculty and students
at a regular seminar meeting that is open to the public.
892A -- Seminar (Both Semesters)
1 cr, Staff
Same as 792A except for PhD candidates.
893A -- Seminar (Both Semesters)
1 cr, Staff
Same as 793A except for PhD candidates.
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