Plant Science (PLSC)

Head of Department: Professor Mary E. Musgrave
Department Office: Room 119, W.B. Young Building

For major requirements, see the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources section of this Catalog.

1000. Orientation to Plant Science and Landscape Architecture

(100) First semester. One credit. One class period. (Taught jointly with SAPL 100.) Students taking this course will be assigned a final grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory).

An introduction to programs, careers, and research in Plant Science and Landscape Architecture.

1125. Insects, Food and Culture

(125) First semester. Three credits. Three class periods. Legrand

Introduction to the fascinating world of insects and their ubiquitous interactions with people. Role of insects in food and fiber production; insects as food; impact of insects on human health, commerce and history; and insects as inspiration sources for art, music, film and literature around the world. CA 4-INT.

1150. Agricultural Technology and Society

(150) Second semester, alternate years (odd). Three credits.

Development of agricultural systems and technologies and their influence on societies. Topics include plant and animal domestication, food and industrial crops and centers of production, environmental issues, and agricultural ethics. CA 3.

3230. Biotechnology - Science, Application, Impact, Perception

(246) First semester. Three credits. von Bodman

Scientific, legal, and ethical aspects of Biotechnology application in agriculture, health medicine, forensics, and the environment. Designed for students with diverse departmental affiliations.

3240. Plant Biotechnology

(243) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisites: One of BIOL 1110, MCB 2211, MCB 3010. Li

Principles of recombinant DNA and plant gene transfer technologies. Applications of plant biotechnology in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, human/animal health care, and pharmaceutical industry. Social and environmental impacts of plant biotechnology.

3250. Plant Gene Transfer Techniques

(285) Second semester. Three credits. Li

Techniques of plant gene delivery and transgenic plant production. Verification and analysis of transgenic plants. A fee of $75 is charged for this course.

3810. Plant Diseases

(203) First semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOL 1108 or 1110; open to juniors or higher. von Bodman

The causes, development and management of diseases of economic plants. Lectures cover general principles and laboratories review specific examples of plant diseases of horticultural and agronomic crops.

3820. Ecology and Control of Weeds

(257) First semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOL 1110. Guillard

Weed origin and classification. Losses caused by weeds. Weed competition. Weed seed production, dormancy and germination. Cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical control methods. Weed identification.

3830. Insect Pest Management

(288) First semester, even-numbered years. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour laboratory. Legrand

Biology and management of insects with an emphasis on pests of ornamental plants and turf. Identification of key pests and their damage symptoms, monitoring insect populations and management strategies and tactics.

3840. Integrated Pest Management

(204) Second semester. Three credits. Taught jointly with SAPL 840. Not open for credit to graduate students. Legrand

Principles of integrated pest management covering insect, disease, and weed problems in agronomic crops, vegetables, fruits, turfgrass, ornamentals, and greenhouse production. Environmental impacts and pest control strategies will be covered.

3990. Field Study Internship

(287) Either semester or summer. One to six credits. Hours by arrangement. Open to Junior -Senior students who have demonstrated professional potential as identified by their advisor. Open only with consent of Head of the Department of Plant Science and the advisor. This course may be repeated provided that the sum total of credits earned does not exceed six. Students taking this course will be assigned a grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory).

Students will work with professionals in an area of research or management.

3995. Special Topics

(298) Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. May be repeated for credit with a change of topic. Open only with consent of instructor.

Topics and credits to be published prior to the registration period preceding the semester offerings.

3999. Independent Study

(299) Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open to qualified students with consent of instructor and Department Head. Students are expected to submit written reports. Course may be repeated for credit.

4210. Plant Physiology: How Plants Work

(216) Second semester. Three credits. Three class periods. Prerequisite: BIOL 1110 and CHEM 1122 or 1127 or 1147. Not open for credit to students who have passed PLSC 213. Auer

Principles of plant physiology and gene expression from the cell to the whole plant level. Emphasis on plant cell structure, water movement, transport systems, photosynthesis, respiration, phytohormone signals and responses to enviromental stresses.

4215. Plant Physiology Lab: Investigations into How Plants Work

(217) Second semester. One credit. One two-hour laboratory. Corequisite: PLSC 4210. Not open for credit to students who have passed PLSC 213. Auer

Independent research projects investigating plant physiology, development and response to the environment. Principles of experimental design, data analysis and scientific communication.

4994. Seminar

(295) Either semester. One credit. Open only with consent of instructor. Course may be repeated for credit.

Professional presentations of current topics in Plant Science.