1060E. The Great American Lawn: History, Culture, and Sustainability

Examination of the health, social, cultural, and environmental impacts of the largest irrigated crop in the U.S. CA 2. CA 3.

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1100. Turfgrass Management

An overview of turfgrass adaptation, selection, and management. Topics include turfgrass growth, physiology, soil interactions, establishment, and maintenance. Cultural system practices for lawns, golf courses, athletic fields, and other turf areas. Turfgrass pest management practices for weeds, insects, and diseases. Taught with SAPL 110.

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1110. Fundamentals of Horticulture

Science and practice of horticultural plant propagation and culture. Basic concepts of plant structure, growth and function. Integrated pest management. Impact of new technology. Horticulture and the environment.

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1115. Turfgrass Management Lab

Grass establishment, grass identification, athletic field turfgrass playability evaluations, soil testing, turfgrass pest identification, turfgrass pest monitoring techniques, and fertilizer spreader and sprayer calibration.

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1120. Introduction to Plant Science

Basic concepts of plant anatomy and physiology in production of agricultural and horticultural crops. Developmental stages of crop plants from seed through vegetative growth and flowering to harvest. Included topics are mineral nutrition, water relations, photosynthesis, respiration, reproduction, tropisms, climate effects, and breeding and development of improved crop plants. Relationships between the physiology of plants and crop production practices. Taught with SAPL 120.

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1125E. Insects, Food and Culture

Introduction to the fascinating world of insects and their ubiquitous interactions with people. Role of insects in food and fiber production; insects as food; impact of insects on human health, commerce and history; and insects as inspiration sources for art, music, film and literature around the world. CA 4-INT.

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1150. Agricultural Technology and Society

Development of agricultural systems and technologies and their influence on societies. Topics include plant and animal domestication, food and industrial crops and centers of production, environmental issues, and agricultural ethics. CA 3.

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1300. Introduction to Soil Science

Physical and chemical properties of soils; nature and use of fertilizer and liming materials; management of soils for crop production including soil testing, tillage, fertilization practices, and conservation practices. Taught with SAPL 300.

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2100E. Environmental Sustainability of Food Production in Developed Countries

Foundations of modern food production systems that produce the majority of calories consumed in North America and other developed countries. Benefits and environmental risks associated with modern food production systems. Alternative food production systems and sustainability. Local food production and food security. Food production and climate change.

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2110W. Sustainable Plant Pest Management Communication

Communication of the impacts, economic importance, identification, and sustainable management of new and emerging plant pests, such as insects, mites, weeds/invasive plants, and diseases of food and non-food (ornamental) crops, in agricultural and landscape settings. Connections with UConn Extension and real-world pest occurrences will be incorporated.

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2120. Environmental Soil Science

Introduction to the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils. The relationship between soils and the growth of higher plants. Impact of soils on environmental quality. CA 3.

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2125. Soils Lab

Basic laboratory analysis of the physical and chemical properties of soil. Includes weekend field trips.

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2130. Introduction to the Horticulture of Cannabis

Fundamentals of the production cycle of Cannabis including horticultural management, identification of crop issues, elite feminized seed production, seed propagation, vegetative propagation, pruning, training, optimization of cannabinoid content, and post-harvest handling. Overviews of Cannabis business operations world-wide and in Connecticut, exploring lab testing procedures, cannabidiol extraction technologies, the Connecticut medical marijuana program, and government regulation of the industry. Taught with SAPL 130.

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2210. Golf Course Management

Cultural management techniques including soil aeration, topdressing, mowing, thatch removal, grass or species selection, fertilization, irrigation and management of personnel, pests, equipment and inventory. Field trips required. Taught with SAPL 210.

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2430. Herbaceous Ornamental Plants

Identification, nomenclature, cultural requirements and landscape uses of herbaceous perennials, ornamental grasses, ferns, annuals and bulbs. Study of live plants is required. Taught with SAPL 430.

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2500E. Principles and Concepts of Agroecology

Application of ecological processes to modern agricultural production practices. Soil quality and maintenance of soil health and productivity. Ecological management of soils, crops, and livestock systems. Sustainability and enhancement of ecological services within agroecosystems. Taught with SAPL 500.

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2520. Floral Art

The study of flower arrangement as an art form with emphasis on historical background, artistic principles, color harmony and care of perishable media. Individual expression is encouraged in the creation of floral composition. Taught with SAPL 520.

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2560W. Written Communications in Horticulture

Writing as a component of communicating facts and opinions in the theory and practice of Horticulture. Assignments will reflect forms of writing commonly encountered by professional horticulturists, including descriptive brochures, articles for mass media, extension bulletins, and technical manuals.

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3081. Summer Internship Experience

Provides opportunity for students to gain practical experience, knowledge, and professional skills in a work environment related to employment and careers in plant science or landscape architecture. Students work with instructor and internship supervisor to develop a learning contract and plan of work to ensure meaningful and educational tasks and experiences. Students taking this course will be assigned a grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory).

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3150. Advanced Turfgrass Management

Effects of environmental stresses and turfgrass management practices on growth, development, and physiology of turfgrasses. Implementation of proper management practices to promote optimal turfgrass health under stress conditions.

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3210. Molecular Laboratory Technology

Laboratory technologies for identification and characterization of molecules important for molecular biology research, genetic manipulation and disease diagnosis. Labs will provide hands-on experience performing basic molecular biology techniques, lectures will cover theoretical basis and application.

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3230. Biotechnology - Science, Application, Impact, Perception

Scientific, legal, and ethical aspects of Biotechnology application in agriculture, health medicine, forensics, and the environment. Designed for students with diverse departmental affiliations.

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3245. Plant Breeding and Biotechnology

Principles and applications, economic, social and environmental impacts, advantages, potentials and limitations of major traditional and modern plant breeding technologies including crossing/hybridization, mutagenesis, genetic engineering and genome editing.

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3255. Modern and Traditional Plant Breeding Techniques

Hands-on experiments for traditional and modern plant breeding techniques, including artificial crossing/hybridization, polyploidy induction, plant tissue culture and transgenic plant production, and radiation- and genome editing-mediate mutagenesis.

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3300. Principles of Turfgrass Irrigation Systems

Turfgrass irrigation systems, principles of hydraulics, irrigation components, design, installation and repair. Students will design irrigation systems for various turf areas. Field trips and fieldwork will be required. Taught with SAPL 230.

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3400. Professional Development for Turfgrass Industries

Topics include human resource information, communication skills, turfgrass pesticide laws and compliance, labor laws and compliance, bid specifications, resume writing, interviewing, golf course management structures, business ethics, and benefits of professional association membership. Guest lecturers include industry professionals and representatives. Taught with SAPL 240.

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3410. Woody Plants: Common Trees, Shrubs and Vines

Taxonomy, identification, ornamental characteristics, cultural requirements and landscape use of deciduous and evergreen woody plants most often utilized in landscapes of the northeastern United States and similar environs. Taught with SAPL 410.

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3420. Soil Chemistry Components

Basic concepts of the physical chemistry of soil constituents. Topics include soil atmospheres, soil solutions, soil organic matter, soil mineralogy, and surface characteristics and analysis. Lab exercises on a personal computer are an integral part of the course.

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3440. Small Fruit Production

The commercial production of small fruits and grapes in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions including varieties, fruit-growing systems and pruning, site requirements, harvesting methods, post-harvest requirements, marketing, pest complexes and IPM strategies of the major berry crops.

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3530. Advanced Floral Design

In depth study of post-harvest requirements for specialized floral crops. Exposure to novel floral materials with an emphasis on special events and wedding designs. Mass marketing,retail price structuring and mass-production concepts are covered. Taught jointly with SAPL 530.

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3540. Garden Center Management

Fundamentals related to horticultural specialty businesses with particular emphasis on the retail and contracting areas. Specialty and mass merchandising firms are considered and compared. Taught with SAPL 540.

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3550. Urban Plant Systems Construction and Maintenance

Technical information on the effective construction and maintenance of planted systems. Structural and functional components of plant systems. Provision of ecosystem services. Overviews of a wide spectrum of planted systems including streetscaping, green roofs and green walls, rain gardens and bioretention, and phytoremediation systems. Techniques of soil modification. Plant selection. Establishment and maintenance of woody and herbaceous plants: planting, preservation, pruning, mulching, irrigation, and fertilization.

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3560. Indoor Plants and Interiorscaping

Taxonomy, identification, ornamental characteristics, cultural requirements and use of tropical plants. Principles of interiorscaping in the home, office, public buildings, and related locations. Taught with SAPL 560.

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3610. Organic and Sustainable Vegetable Production

Fundamentals of soil management and crop plant husbandry as applied to vegetable production. Horticultural principles of crop growth. Focus is on sustainable and organic practices. Field laboratory will consist of required trips (some outside designated laboratory time) during the early part of the semester to organic and conventional farms. Taught with SAPL 620.

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3620. Soil Fertility

Factors governing nutrient uptake by plants, fate of nutrients applied to soils, principles and practices in the manufacture and use of fertilizers for crop production, laboratory and greenhouse studies of soil and plant response to applied nutrients.

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3640. Plant Propagation

Theory and practice in sexual and asexual propagation of horticultural plants, emphasizing the anatomical, physiological, and ecological principles involved. Laboratories provide practical experience with seeds, division, cuttings, budding, grafting, layering and tissue culture. Taught with SAPL 640.

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3660. Nursery Production

Principles of field and container production of nursery stock. Emphasis on production practices for woody nursery stock from propagule to sale. Taught with SAPL 660.

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3660W. Nursery Production

Principles of field and container production of nursery stock. Emphasis on production practices for woody nursery stock from propagule to sale. Major writing assignment required.

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3670. Greenhouse Technology and Operations

Introduction to greenhouse crop management with emphasis on structures, environmental control systems, and management techniques used to control crop response.

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3675. Greenhouse Technology and Operations Laboratory

Greenhouse crop production techniques and methodologies. Follows a travel-course format, in which students participate in regularly scheduled field trips to commercial greenhouse operation in CT and neighboring states. Students will make observations on the mechanical systems, management considerations, and crop production practices employed by commercial businesses.

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3680. Advanced Cannabis Horticulture: Cannabis Production

Advanced concepts of Cannabis production, management, processing and product development that build upon SPSS 2130. Students will choose highly focused study of either indoor controlled environment production or outdoor cultivation of Cannabis for part of the course. Taught with SAPL 680.

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3810. Fundamentals of Plant Pathology

Causal agents, nature and dynamics of plant disease. Pathogen biology, factors influencing disease development, diagnosis of diseases, and principles of plant disease control with emphasis on major diseases of crop, horticultural and turfgrass systems.

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3820. Ecology and Control of Weeds

Weed origin and classification. Losses caused by weeds. Weed competition. Weed seed production, dormancy and germination. Cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical control methods. Weed identification.

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3830. Horticultural Entomology

Identification and management of insects pests found in food crops, ornamental plants and turfgrass. Biology of key pests and their damage symptoms, monitoring and management tactics will be covered along with identification and use of beneficial insects employed in pest management.

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3840. Integrated Pest Management

Principles of integrated pest management covering insect, disease, and weed problems in agronomic crops, vegetables, fruits, turfgrass, ornamentals, and greenhouse production. Environmental impacts and pest control strategies will be covered. Taught with SAPL 840.

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3990. Field Study Internship

Students will work with professionals in an area of research or management. Students taking this course will be assigned a final grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory.) This course may be repeated provided that the sum total of credits earned does not exceed six credits.

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3995. Special Topics

Topics and credits to be published prior to the registration period preceding the semester offerings.

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3996. Undergraduate Research in Plant Science

Individualized research conducted under the supervision of a faculty instructor. The student is required to submit a report on research findings at the end of the semester. Consent of instructor and department head required.

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3998. Variable Topics in Plant Science

Topics and credits to be published prior to the registration period preceding the semester offerings. May be repeated with a change in content.

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3999. Independent Study

Students are expected to submit written reports.

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4210. Plant Physiology: How Plants Work

Principles of plant physiology and gene expression from the cell to the whole plant level. Emphasis on plant cell structure, water movement, transport systems, photosynthesis, respiration, phytohormone signals and responses to environmental stresses.

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4650. Plant Tissue Culture

In vitro techniques for plant propagation, biotechnology and research. Media preparation, aseptic micropropagation techniques including meristem culture, direct and indirect-organogenesis and embryogenesis, embryo rescue, somaclonal variation, and pathogen indexing.

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