Turfgrass Science & Management Program
Associate of Science Degree in Turfgrass Management
Contact: Michelle DaCosta, Program Coordinator for AS in Turfgrass Management
Office: 310 Paige Lab
Phone: 413-545-2547
Email: mdacosta@umass.edu
Grassed areas for parks, golf courses, athletic fields, and home lawns are becoming more important every day as people and companies are spending more money to create an attractive environment using turfgrass as a major component of the plan. Students learn about turfgrass identification, culture, weed identification and treatment, irrigation, entomology, plant pathology, and the business management skills required to run a successful operation.
Bachelor of Science Degree in Turfgrass Science and Management
Contact: Scott Ebdon
Office: 415 Paige Lab
Phone: 413-545-2506
Email: sebdon@umass.edu
Turfgrass Science and Management is an applied science program that focuses on the production and maintenance of grassed areas, including home lawns, parks, and golf courses and other athletic surfaces. This concentration integrates scientific theory with practical experience, and covers such topics as grass and seed identification, turfgrass culture and physiology, pest control, and equipment maintenance. Students in this concentration will have the option of selecting a science or business management focus. Many graduates find employment in the golf course industry, while others choose to specialize in sports turf management. The lawn care industry also employs many graduates in jobs as varied as research, sales, and direct lawn maintenance. Excellent career opportunities exist in turf management, and job placement of graduates is nearly 100 percent.