Graduate Course Descriptions

The following directory lists the graduate courses which the University expects to offer, although the University in no way guarantees that all such courses will be offered in any given academic year, and reserves the right to alter the list if conditions warrant. Click on the links below for a list of courses in that subject area. You may then click “View Classes” to see scheduled classes for individual courses.

5150. Design and Analysis of Agricultural Experiments

4.00 credits

Prerequisites: Recommended Preparation: Introductory college-level statistics.

Grading Basis: Graded

Design and analysis of experiments commonly conducted in agricultural field, greenhouse, and laboratory research. Emphasis on replicated treatment experiments based on completely random, randomized block, Latin square, split-plot, and split-block designs. Limited coverage of non-replicated treatment observational-type experiments. Statistical analyses performed primarily in SAS (Statistical Analysis System) software. Presentation of summarized data using computer generated graphics from various software packages.

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5210. Molecular Laboratory Technology

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Not open to students who have passed SPSS 3210.

Grading Basis: Graded

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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5245. Plant Breeding and Biotechnology

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: One of BIOL 1102, 1108, 1110; MCB 2410; SPSS 3210, 3230, 4210, or instructor consent.

Grading Basis: Graded

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

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5255. Modern and Traditional Plant Breeding Techniques

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: PLSC 5245.

Grading Basis: Graded

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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5410. Soil Chemistry Components

4.00 credits

Prerequisites: Not open for credit to students who have passed SPSS 3420 or SOIL 3410.

Grading Basis: Graded

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. Term paper required.

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5420. Soil Chemistry Reactions and Equilibrium

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Physical chemical characteristics of soil minerals and soil organic matter, and their reactivity with compounds present in the aqueous and vapor phase. Topics include: redox reactions, adsorption and desorption measurements, electrokinetics, adsorption modeling, and physicochemical principles of soil modification and remediation practices. Term paper required.

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5620. Soil Fertility

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

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

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5820. Ecology and Control of Weeds

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Not open to students who have passed SPSS 3820.

Grading Basis: Graded

Weed identification. Weed origin and classification. Losses caused by weeds. Weed competition. Weed seed production, dormancy, and germination. Weed growth and development. Weed biology and life cycles. Cultural, mechanical, and biological weed control methods based on ecological principles. Overview of chemical weed control practices and associated environmental and ecological risks.

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5895. Special Topics

1.00 - 6.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 12 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

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5897. Seminar

1.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 2 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

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5898. Variable Topics in Plant Science

1.00 - 6.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 24 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

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

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5899. Independent Study

1.00 - 6.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 24 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

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