Plant Science major

Students develop a concept of soil and its importance to the welfare of society, learning how soils form and interpretation of basic soil properties. Instructors share knowledge about the fundamental physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils, their relationships to one another and their effect on plant growth, environmental quality, and land use. The course develops students’ abilities to make management decisions for both agricultural and nonagricultural uses.

A basic, survey overview of fermented products. It covers a range of topics, including fermentation history, biochemistry behind fermentation, different fermentative organisms, and production of many popular items such as cheese, bread, beer and vegetables, among other items.

Instructors share an introduction to nature, causes, development, effects and control of plant disease. Laboratory work involves microscope use for examining plant disease specimens and fungal structures, and experience in isolation and culture of pathogenic fungi. Objectives include making students aware of the economic importance and historical significance of plant diseases and introducing the concept that abiotic (environmental) factors and micro-organisms (like bacteria and viruses) cause plant diseases.

Trees are one of the most important features in cities and towns across the world, and especially in our region. This introductory course on urban forestry covers how trees affect urban climate, air pollution, water and, in-turn, how the urban environment affects tree growth and health. Students examine urban forest planning and management, and methods for appraisal and value of urban forests. This course culminates in class projects that combine our understanding of urban environmental conditions and tree species’ functional traits to make recommendations for “the right tree in the right place.”

This course will introduce students the principles and applications of environmental forensic sciences. Students apply chemical, stable and radioisotopes as tools to trace as well as address a variety of contemporary forensic problems, including environmental contamination of drugs and chemicals, climate change and wildlife forensics, archaeological forensics and human migration, authenticity of food and luxury products, criminal investigations including drug use and trafficking, weapons tracing, and counterfeit detection. Analytical methods including data collection, field/site mapping, chemical-biological and isotope pattern of recognition, and forensic report preparation consistent with environmental regulations will be discussed as the basis for quantitative and qualitative forensic diagnostics.

Instructors share a practical application of the basic principles of soil chemistry, physics and microbiology to modern land use programs. The course covers basic principles of nutrient management (availability and cycling in soils, roles in plant nutrition), soil acidity and liming, soil testing, environmental fate of non-essential elements and organic chemicals, and role of risk assessment in soil management.

Instructors cover the basic structures and functions of plants. Students learn about plant cells, tissues, organs and the physiological functions that occur to sustain life. Instructors also focus on how plants grow and reproduce, how they obtain the essential materials for growth, and how plants interact with each other. These topics become a foundation in studying about how plants interact with their environment.

Students focus on Eastern native United States and broad-leaf and coniferous plants used in the landscape. Faculty instructors focus on include native habitat, ornamental features, potential pest problems and taxonomy using cut samples as well as landscape specimens.