Courses

All courses carry 3 credits unless otherwise specified and can be found in SPIRE listed under Stockbridge School of Agriculture.

505 General Plant Pathology (1st sem)
Causes, nature, and control of plant diseases. Diagnosis of plant diseases. Mechanisms, biochemistry, and genetics of plant disease induction, development, and control. Prerequisite: a course in plant biology. Credit, 4. Dr. Petit

510 Management and Ecology of Plant Diseases (2nd sem)
The ecology of plant, microbe, and human interactions in plant diseases, from wilderness to industrial farms. Epidemics, traditional farming, environmental impacts, and sustainability issues. Ways in which agriculture, particularly plant production and plant disease management, change ecosystems. Independent project. BIOLOGY 100 or equivalent recommended. Credit, 3. Dr. Cooley

515 Microbiology of the Soil (2nd sem, odd yrs)
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 ENVIRSCI 515. Credit, 3. Dr. Simkins

520 Physiology Crop Yield (1st sem)
Physiology of crop plants, carbon fixation, partitioning, growth and development, competition in crops, environmental factors and yield relationships of crops. Credit, 3. Dr. Herbert

523 Plant Stress Physiology (1st sem)
Major topics and recent advances in plant stress physiology. Discussion of environmental stresses addresses methodology used for stress tolerance evaluation as well as assessment of current research areas in plant stress physiology. Credit, 3. Dr. DaCosta

525 Mycology (1st sem, odd yrs, currently not offered)
Biology, ecology, physiology, and taxonomy of fungi. Includes consideration of fungi as causes of diseases in animals, humans, and plants, and their uses in biotechnology applications such as bioremediation. Credit, 4.

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. Credit, 4. Dr. Barker

535 Diagnostic Plant Pathology (2nd sem, odd yrs, currently not offered)
Methods of diagnosing plant diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and abiotic agents considered using specimens collected by students. Credit, 4.

545 Postharvest Physiology (2nd sem, currently not offered)
The basic biochemical and physiological processes occurring in fruits, vegetables, and flowers after harvest; postharvest treatments to modify these processes. Credit, 4.

550 Plant Growth Regulators in Agriculture (2nd sem, currently not offered)
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.

560 Advanced Weed Science (2nd sem, odd yrs, currently not offered)
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.

565 Soil Formation, Classification and Land Use (2nd sem, currently not offered)
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.

570 Soil Physics (currently not offered)
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. Credit, 3.

572 Nematology (currently not offered)
Biology and identification of soil nematodes. Parasitism of plants and management practices stressed. Credit, 4.

575 Environmental 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. Credit, . Dr. Xing

580 Soil Fertility (2nd 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. Credits, 3. Dr. Barker

581 Integrated Pest Management (1st sem)
With the lab. Theory and application of the principles of insect, disease, and weed pest management; emphasis on insects. Focus on pest and natural enemy sampling techniques, properties of available control strategies, underlying ecological and behavioral principles, model pest management systems and societal concerns. Prerequisite: STOCKSCH 326 or 505. Credits, 4. Dr. Pinero.

585 Inorganic Contaminants in Soil, Water (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. Credit, 3. Dr. Xing

587 Phyto/bioremediation (1st sem)
The use of hyper-accumulator and transgenic plants, and their associated microbes with the purpose of environmental clean-up of contaminated soil, sediments, and water. Various strategies for a wide range of toxic pollutants, both organic and elemental, with emphasis on toxic metals. Credit, 3. Dr. Dhankher

590M Microbe-Mineral-Organic Matter Interactions in Soils (2nd sem, TBD)
This course discusses fundamental interactions between microbes, minerals, and organic matter responsible for carbon cycling, mineral weathering, and nutrient dynamics in soils.  Through a combination of lectures and in-class discussions, we will examine the importance of these interactions for soil development, carbon storage, and fertility. Credit, 3.

Plant Biotechnology Journal Club (both sem)
This course will familiarize students with concepts and current status of plant genetic engineering for crop improvement and health applications, covering with wide range of topics for engineering plants for abiotic and biotic stresses, metabolic engineering for nutrient enhancement, and risk assessment of engineered crops. Credit, 1. Dr. Dhankher

597C Special Topics in Plant Nutrition Discussion (1st sem)
Instruction and discussions to enhance students’ comprehension of lecture and laboratory topics in STOCKSCH 530. Credit, 1. Dr. Barker

597D Wetland Plant Identification and Ecology (1st sem, even yrs, currently not offered)
Introduction to the ecology and characteristics of wetland types found in the eastern United States. The ecology of each type, emphasizing their plant communities. Laboratory exercises largely devoted to visiting local wetlands for the purpose of identifying characteristic plants in the field. Prerequisite: course in basic biology or botany. Credit, 3.

597F ST-Intermediate Soil Science  (2nd sem, even yrs, currently not offered)
A comprehensive survey of soil science topics including soil physical, chemical, biological, and morphological properties. Emphasis on soil properties as they relate to solving real world environmental problems dealing with topics such as soil and groundwater remediation, waste disposal, wetlands, sustainable food/forage/fiber/ and fuel production, and global climate change. Prerequisite: basic course in soil science, geology, environmental sciences or related course.  Credit, 3.

597I ST-Hydric Soils  (taught in May, currently not offered)
This 1-credit, 2-day course includes both classroom discussion and field instruction. Course covers topics such as soil color description, principles of gley and mottle formation, definition of hydric soils in wetland identification and delineation. Field instruction includes identification of hydric soils in different environmental settings in the context of wetland delineation. Prerequisite: basic course in soil science, geology, or environmental science recommended.

597J Special Topics- Advanced Hydric Soils (taught in June, currently not offered)
This 1-credit, two day class provides soil scientists and experienced wetland delineators with the skills to describe redoximorphic features and interpret and identify hydric soils. Learn to interpret hydric soils, to install monitoring equipment, and to make permitting, mitigation, and restoration decisions. Field activities are an integral part of this course.

597L Special Topics in Wetland Delineation (1st sem, odd yrs, currently not offered)
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.

597M Topics in Turf Pathology (2nd sem)
Review and discussion of concepts and issues related to turfgrass diseases. Weekly readings of scientific papers and trade journals required. Guest speakers from the turfgrass industry present many of the topics and lead subsequent class discussions. Credit, 2. Dr. Jung

597O Organic Contaminants in Soils, Waters, and Sediments (1st sem, even 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 haloorganics and petroleum products in soil and ground water. Dr. Simkins

597V Special Topics in Integrated Turf Management (2nd sem, TBD)
Integrates material from several turf courses. Concepts of Integrated Pest Management, including stress management and pest management, emphasized. Each student develops an ITM plan for a turf setting.

597W Artificial Treatment Wetlands (1st sem, even yrs, currently not offered)
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.

602 Research Literature
Critical review of the scientific literature in an area of specialization (GPD)   

650 Global Challenges in Agriculture and Environment. (2nd sem) (required)
This course will address topics related to the challenges imposed by climate change and environmental contamination on plant growth and production, ecosystem integrity, soil health and ecology, and the sustainability of landscapes. (Group Teaching)

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 statistical analysis. Credits 4. (currently is not offered)

687 Phyto/bioremediation (1st sem)
The use of hyper-accumulator and transgenic plants, and their associated microbes with the purpose of environmental clean-up of contaminated soil, sediments, and water.  Various strategies for a wide range of toxic pollutants, both organic and elemental, with emphaisis on toxic metals. Prerequisite:  BIOLOGY 100 or 103, or Instructor's permission. Dr. Dhankher

690S Soil Ecology (1st sem)
Biological processes found in the soil are essential to life on Earth. This course will introduce students to soils as their own ecosystem. Throughout the course, we will weave together descriptions of the diversity of life found within soils, plant-soil interactions and biogeography to paint a mosaic of soil life, its complexity and global importance. The final portion of the course will address the global challenges facing soil ecosystems and the potential of the soil health movement. There is also a field component. Credit, 3. Dr. Keiser

691A Research Proposal Presentation
Master’s and Ph.D. candidates attend and present their research proposals in a regular seminar meeting open to all Plant and Soil Sciences graduate students. Credit, 1. (GPD)

691B Special Topics in Climate, Energy, Biochar & Agriculture Credit, 1. (currently is not offered)

691M Special Topic in Plant-Soil-Microbe Journal Club (2nd sem). (currently is not offered)
Credit 1.

691S Special Topics in Sustainable Soil Management Journal Club (2nd sem) Credit, 1. Dr. Hashemi

692A Special Topics in Plant-Pathogen Interactions Credit, 1.

697A Data Analysis and Interpretation (2nd sem)
Informal discussion class, focusing on students’ problems, concerns, or enthusiasm with their own experimental designs, data analyses, or interpretations of results, including computer- (particularly SAS) generated output. New techniques presented by the instructor or guest instructors as requested by the class. Students gain practical experience with data analysis and a better understanding of the approaches necessary for their own thesis or dissertation work. Prerequisite: a course in intermediate statistical analysis. Credit, 2. (currently is not offered)

696 Independent Study
Selected research problems not related to a candidate’s master’s thesis. Credit, 1-6. (GPD)

699 Master’s Thesis Credit, 6-10.

830 Advanced Soil Chemistry (2nd sem, every 3-4 years, depending on students enrollment)
Lecture and discussion of current theories of the chemistry of soils. Consent of instructor required. Credit, 3. Dr. Xing

896 Independent Study
Selected research problems not related to a candidate’s doctoral dissertation. Credit, 1-6.

899 Doctoral Dissertation Credit, 1-10