Courses
All courses carry 3 credits unless otherwise specified and can be found in SPIRE listed under Stockbridge School of Agriculture.
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. How agriculture, particularly plant production and plant disease management, change ecosystems. Independent project. BIOLOGY 100 or equivalent recommended. 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 instructors other than juniors and seniors. Also listed as ENVIRSCI 515. Dr. Simkins
520 Physiology of Crop Yield (1st sem)
Physiology of crop plants, carbon fixation, partitioning, growth and development, crop competition, environmental factors, and crop yield relationships. Dr. Herbert
523 Plant Stress Physiology (1st sem)
Major topics and recent advances in plant stress physiology. Discussion of environmental stresses addresses the methodology used for evaluating stress tolerance and assessing current research areas in plant stress physiology. Dr. DaCosta
525 Mycology (1st sem)
Biology, ecology, physiology, and taxonomy of fungi. This includes consideration of fungi as sources of food, medicine, and fiber, as well as causes of diseases in animals, humans, and plants, as well as their uses in agriculture and biotechnology applications. Credit, 4. Dr. Hestrin
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)
This course goal is to provide students with the knowledge and craftmanship necessary to identify the causal agent of a disease to prescribe management to reduce damage caused by that disease. Students will be trained to evaluate the disease, develop a working hypothesis, test that hypothesis, conclude on a diagnosis and recommend management. Through hands on practices, students will learn how to troubleshoot a plant disease diagnosis, including how to identify symptoms, signs, and causal agents. Students will learn diagnostic methods to work with specific disease-causing organisms, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes. Credit, 4. Dr. Petit
545 Postharvest Biology
The basic biochemical and physiological processes occurring in fruits, vegetables, and flowers after harvest; postharvest treatments to modify these processes. Credit, 4.
554 Sustainable Food Systems
Food systems, sovereignty, and security remain issues of concern for producers, consumers, and policymakers at the dawn of the 21st Century, despite significant advances in transportation and technology. This course addresses these concerns by approaching food, the environment, and sustainability from an environmental anthropology perspective - critically examining the relationship between what we eat and who we are. Over the course of the semester, we will compare past, present, and future food systems in the United States with those in other parts of the world. We will also explore topics including food security, nutrition, aid, immigration, climate change, sustainable livelihoods, and cultural production and diffusion.
564 Environmental Soil Science
An examination of the basic physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil with emphasis on environmental science and natural resource applications. Soil's natural role in biome structure, nutrient cycling, water purification, and carbon storage will be explored. Processes important to soil and groundwater pollution (subsurface movement, attenuation, and remediation) will be discussed. Special attention given to wetland soil processes and the identification of hydric soils in the landscape. The society today - such as food security, adequate clean water, climate change, biodiversity conservation, and waste disposal. Some out-of-class field exercises are required. Credit, 4.
565 Soil Form and Classification
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, soils, or environmental science; or consent of instructor. 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, 3-4. 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. 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. Credit, 4-5. Dr. Pinero.
585 Inorganic Contaminants in Soil, Water and Sediment (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 are also covered. Dr. Xing
587 Phyto/bioremediation (1st sem)
The use of hyper-accumulator and transgenic plants and their associated microbes for environmental clean-up of contaminated soil, sediments, and water. Various strategies for a wide range of organic and elemental pollutants, emphasizing toxic metals. Dr. Dhankher
590STA Methods in Rhizosphere Ecology and Plant-Microbe Interactions (2nd sem)
Plant-microbe-soil interactions mediate key ecological functions, such as nutrient cycling, plant productivity and stress tolerance, soil carbon storage, and ecosystem response to change. This class will explore the intricate relationships between plants, microbes, and other biota inhabiting the soil. Students will gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills to investigate fundamental and applied aspects of rhizosphere ecology and plant-microbe interactions. Credit, 4. Dr. Hestrin
592G Hop Genetics and Pathology
Review and discussion of concepts and issues related to hop genetics and hop diseases. Reading of specific papers required each week. Credit, 1.
592P Advanced Turfgrass Pathology
Review and discussion of concepts and issues related with turfgrass diseases, disease management, and fungicide resistance. Credit, 3.
596 Independent Study
Credit, 1-6.
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 are required. Guest speakers from the turfgrass industry present many topics and lead subsequent class discussions. Credit, 2-3. 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.
598 Practicum
Credit, 1-18.
602 Research Literature
This is an independent study project that allows graduate students to conduct an extensive literature review prior to conducting thesis research. Grading will be based on the quality of the written literature review as evaluated by each student's thesis/dissertation advisor. GPD
622 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. Dr. Keiser
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. Modern biotechnology, improving soil health through carbon and nutrient management, and developing climate resilient crop systems offer solutions to these problems. This course will be taught by a faculty team from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, using four themes: 1. Pathogen and pest issues and management in issues in agriculture. 2. Abiotic stresses and climate resilient crops. 3. Soil Health and resource management. 4. Soil contamination and remediation. Students will be assigned papers in the current scientific literature and expected to engage in weekly discussions and write analyses.
687 Phyto/bioremediation (1st sem)
The use of hyper-accumulator and transgenic plants and their associated microbes for environmental clean-up of contaminated soil, sediments, and water. Various strategies for a wide range of organic and elemental pollutants, emphasizing toxic metals. Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 100 or 103, or Instructor's permission. Dr. Dhankher
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. Dr. Hashemi
691S Special Topics in Sustainable Soil Management Journal Club (2nd sem)
Credit, 1. Dr. Hashemi
692A Topics in Plant-Pathogen Interactions
One of the key issues threatening plant production in agriculture and the landscape is plant disease, particularly growing threats from new infectious pathogens. In this journal club we will focus on research papers that describe plant-microbe interactions, with specific reference to plant diseases and their management. Modern "omics" methods have greatly increased understanding of how pathogens attack plants, how plants defend themselves, and how non-pathogenic microbes play a role in disease defense. We will address the plant microbiome, the phytobiome, as well as the impact of typical plant disease management methods on plant/microbe ecology, and how a better understanding of plant-microbe interactions could enable development of more sustainable plant disease management. Credit, 1.
692B Soils and Climate Change Journal Club (Fall semesters)
This journal club will review the effect of climate change on nutrient cycling and the impact of soil on climate. Students make one presentation of a journal article from a reputable journal with the advice and final approval from the instructor. Topics may include, but are not limited to soil (micro)biology, chemistry, pedologogy, plant-soil interactions (rhizosphere science), hydrology, biogeochemistry, and ecology. Credit, 1. Dr. Keiser
692D Data Analysis Journal Club
Basic understanding of statistical concepts and their interpretations. Credit, 1.
692M Plant-Microbe-Soil Interactions (both semesters)
This journal club will review current scientific literature on plant-microbe-soil interactions. Credit, 1. Dr. Hestrin
692P Plant Stress Physiology Journal Club
This journal club is open to graduate students who have an interest in reviewing the current scientific literature in the field of plant stress physiology. Credit, 1.
696 Independent Study
Selected research problems not related to a candidate’s master’s thesis. Credit, 1-6. Graduate student choice of instructor
699 Master’s Thesis
Credit, 6-10.
696 Independent Study
Selected research problems not related to a candidate’s master’s thesis. Credit, 1-6. GPD
698 Practicum
Credit, 1-18.
699 Master’s Thesis
Credit, 6-10.
792A Seminar in Attendance
Master's candidates attend weekly seminar meetings which will cover various topics. Credit, 1.
793A Seminar in Presentation
Master's candidates present results of their thesis research to faculty and graduate students at a specially scheduled seminar. Credit, 1.
830 Advanced Soil Chemistry (2nd sem, every 3-4 years, depending on students’ enrollment)
The course discusses the chemical processes affecting the fate, bioavailability, and redistribution of organic and inorganic chemicals in soils and the state-of-the-art knowledge, theories, and research in soil chemistry. Research methodology, including advanced analytical instruments, is also covered. Dr. Xing
892A Seminar in Attendance
Doctoral candidates attend weekly seminar meetings which cover various topics. Credit, 1.
893A Seminar in Presentation
Doctoral candidates present results of their thesis research to faculty and graduate students at a specially scheduled seminar. Credit, 1.
896 Independent Study
Selected research problems not related to a candidate’s doctoral dissertation. Credit, 1-6.
899 Doctoral Dissertation
Credit, 1-9.