Courses in the Core Curriculum

PSE100 Plant Science—M. Sarrantonio
Response of agricultural and horticultural plants to environmental factors such as moisture, temperature, light and soil fertility and pests. Manipulation of these environmental factors in order to improve plant growth is discussed.

PSE101 Cropping Systems—M. Sarrantonio
Principles and practices of various cropping systems involving agricultural crops.

PSE105 Principles and Practices of SAG—E. Gallandt
Basic design principles and examples of environmentally and economically sustainable agriculture systems. Emphasis will be placed on identifying management practices that biologically improve soil structure, organic matter content, and fertility and minimize or eliminate the need for chemical interventions for control of insect pests, pathogens, and weeds. » syllabus (pdf)

PSE140/141 Soil Science/Lab—I. Fernandez
Considers the chemical, physical and biological properties of soil, as sell as the origin, management and interrelationships of soils to plant growth.

PSE203 Weed Identification—E. Gallandt
Identification of weeds common to agricultural, horticultural and disturbed ecosystems. » syllabus (pdf)

PSE305 Independent Study in SAG—SAG faculty
Independent study in a particular area of the student's interest is arranged with a faculty member with expertise in that area.

PSE320 Soil Organic Matter Management—M. Sarrantonio
Fundamental aspects of soil organic matter management. Principles of plant residue decomposition , tillage, use of organic soil amendments and environmental and agricultural implications of human soil management.

BIO327 Introductory Applied Entomology—E. Groden
An introduction to entomology with emphasis on regulating populations of pest insectts and the fundamentals of insect biology which influence insect populations. Laboratory emphasizes identification and sight recognition of insects of importance to ornamental plants and field crops.

REP381 Sustainable Development and Public Policy—S. Smith
The principles of sustainable development are investigated and considered against a number of ethical and philosophical concepts. Possible ecological, economic and social criteria for evaluating development proposals against those principles are surveyed.

PSE396 Field Experiences in SAG—SAG faculty
An approved program of work experience which contributes to the academic major and the student's professional career goals.

PSE403 Weed Ecology and Management—E. Gallandt
Ecological principles and their application in non chemical and reduced input weed management strategies. » syllabus (pdf)

PSE440 Soil Chemistry and Plant Nutrition—S. Erich
A study of the origin and nature of soil chemical properties and their effects on plant growth, the source and function of essential nutrients, and the chemistry of fertilizer and lime reactions in soils.

BIO444 Pesticides in the Environment—R. Alford
Study of th eproperties of pesticides and their fate in the environment. Includes application technology, governmental regulations, and environmental concerns.

INT450 Design and Management of Agroecosystems—SAG Faculty
An examination of the intrinsic and extrinsic principles of weed, plant disease, and insect pest interrelationships. Emphasis on integrated pest management strategies and crop ecosystem models.

BIO448 Insect Pest Ecology and Management—A. Alyokhin
Discuss principles of insect population dynamics, natural mortality and management of insects. Biological and biorationale strategies fo rpest suppression will be emphasized with case studies in agricultural, forest and aquatic ecosystems.

PSE457 Plant Pathology—D. Lambert
Principles of plant disease.

PSE469 Soil Microbiology—B. Dail
Soil microorganisms and their relevance to ecosystem processes (nutrient cycling, energy flow, etc.).

PSE479 Crop Ecology and Physiology—G. Porter
An examination of agricultural systems focusing on the physiological responses of plant communities and the critical role of nitrogen, water relations, and photosynthesis within these communities.

INT482 Pesticides and the Environment—R. Alford
Study of the properties of pesticides and their fate in the environment.