Approved Courses
The following list includes undergraduate courses that have been approved as of June 2010. Courses added after that date do not appear in this list. Courses eliminated after that date may still appear. Not every course is offered regularly. Students should consult the Schedule of Classes at www.testudo.umd.edu to ascertain which courses are actually offered during a given semester.
COURSE NUMBERING SYSTEM
| Number |
|
Eligibility |
| 000-099 |
|
Non-credit course |
| 100-199 |
|
Primarily freshman course |
| 200-299 |
|
Primarily sophomore course |
| 300-399 |
|
Junior, senior course not acceptable for credit toward graduate degrees |
| 386-387 |
|
Campus-wide internship courses; refer to information describing Experiential Learning |
| 400-499 |
|
Junior, senior course acceptable for credit toward some graduate degree |
| 500-599 |
|
Professional School course (Dentistry, Architecture, Law, Medicine) or post-baccalaureate course |
| 600-899 |
|
Course restricted to graduate students |
| 799 |
|
Master Thesis credit |
| 899 |
|
Doctoral Dissertation credit |
Use the search box below to view the approved courses.
Courses in "PLSC-Plant Sciences"
PLSC - Plant Sciences
PLSC 100 Introduction to Horticulture (4)
Two hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week.
An overview to the art and science of horticulture. Relationships
between plant science and plant production, the use of horticultural
plants and plant stress as influenced by cultural practices.
PLSC 101 Introductory Crop Science (4)
Two hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week.
Major crop plants including: anatomy, physiology, morphology, history,
use, adaptation, culture, improvement and economic importance.
PLSC 120 Mushrooms and Molds (3)
Students will learn about how essential fungi (mushroom, molds, and
alikes) are in this world and how they affect our daily lives. They will
learn how fungi interact with animals, plants and other organisms in
positive and negative ways. Also, they will study the importance of
fungi in biotechnology and food and how they have shaped many societies
throughout history.
PLSC 171 Introduction to Urban Forestry (3)
Students are taught the basic concepts and principles of urban forestry.
They will learn about the role of urban forests and green infrastructure
as related to sustainability of local and global environments and
communities. Urban forests will be studied from the perspectives of
science, community development, landscape management, public policies,
and laws.
PLSC 201 Plant Structure and Function (4)
Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: PLSC100; or PLSC101. And CHEM103; or CHEM131. And CHEM132.
Formerly: NRSC201.
The relationship between plant structure and function and how the
environment influences changes in the physiology to control higher plant
growth and development are studied.
PLSC 202 Management of Horticultural Crops (4)
Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: PLSC100. Recommended: BSCI105.
A study of the principles and practices used in the production of
horticultural crops. Management of soils and soilless media, vegetative
and reproductive growth and development, pests, harvest, post-harvest
environment and marketing will be presented for model commodities.
PLSC 203 Plants, Genes and Biotechnology (3)
Prerequisite: BSCI103 or BSCI105. Formerly: NRSC203.
An overview of the history, genetics, and reproductive mechanisms for
agronomic and horticultural plants that examines mechanisms of genetic
improvement ranging from traditional plant breeding to tissue culture
and genetic engineering. Social and political issues such as germplasm
preservation and international intellectual property rights will also be
discussed.
PLSC 204 Fundamentals of Agricultural Mechanics (3)
Two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Credit only
granted for: ENBE200 or PLSC204. Formerly: ENBE200.
A comprehensive course that teaches the fundamentals of agricultural
related mechanics. Lecture and lab exercises will cover the broad range
of topics associated with agricultural mechanics including electricity,
plumbing, welding processes, and wood and metal working applications.
Emphasis will be given to the design and installation of electrical
circuits. It will also include project planning and implementation
including development of safety protocols for each area of study and
introduction of GPS equipment and software for survey data collection.
PLSC 226 Plant Diversity (4)
Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: PLSC201; or permission of instructor.
Students will learn to identify and understand relationships among major
plant families of northeastern North America, especially of the
Mid-Atlantic region, through lecture, field, and laboratory study.
Characteristics and biogeography of and evolutionary relationships among
families are emphasized in lecture. These characteristics will be woven
together to provide understanding of the ecological and evolutionary
drivers of plant diversity and the history of the field. Sight
identification of families, genera, and species and keying skills are
stressed in field and laboratory sessions.
PLSC 235 Irrigation and Drainage (3)
Credit only granted for: PLSC235 or PLSC489I. Formerly: PLSC489I.
An overview of U.S. and state water doctrines and plant water use rates.
Irrigation systems for residential and athletic field use will be
discussed covering such topics as hydraulics, sprinkler spacing, pipe
selection and sizing, pumps, controllers, valves, and irrigation trouble
shooting. Surface and subsurface drainage for turfgrass sites will also
be covered.
PLSC 244 Herbaceous Plants (3)
Prerequisite: PLSC100 or PLSC101. Credit only granted for: PLSC244 or
PLSC489A. Formerly: PLSC489A.
Herbaceous plants are integral components of residential and commercial
landscapes. Students will become familiar with 250 annual and perennial
plants. The emphasis will be on plant management requirements and
seasonal variation in the landscape.
PLSC 253 Woody Plants for Mid-Atlantic Landscapes I (3)
Two hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite:
PLSC100.
A field and laboratory study of trees, shrubs, and vines used in
ornamental plantings. Major emphasis is placed on native deciduous plant
materials.
PLSC 254 Woody Plants for Mid-Atlantic Landscape II (3)
Two hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite:
PLSC100 and PLSC253; or permission of instructor.
A field and laboratory study of trees, shrubs, and vines used in
ornamental plantings. Major emphasis is placed on introduced and
evergreen plant materials.
PLSC 255 Landscape Design and Implementation (4)
Two hours of lecture and four hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: PLSC253 or PLSC254. Restriction: Must not have completed
LARC141; and must not have completed LARC341.
Principles of landscape architecture applied to residential and
commercial landscaping: informal and formal designs and plan graphics.
PLSC 271 Plant Propagation (3)
Two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: BSCI105 and PLSC100.
A study of the principles and practices in the propagation of plants.
PLSC 272 Principles of Arboriculture (3)
Two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: PLSC100 and PLSC171. Recommended: ENST200. Formerly:
NRSC272.
The establishment and maintenance of healthy trees in an urban setting
will be studied. Lectures will focus on the environmental constraints to
tree development in the city, and the role of physiological processes in
regulating tree vigor. Laboratory exercises will cover the unique
aspects of urban soils, tree valuation procedures, pruning and
training, and supervised climbing.
PLSC 303 International Crop Production (3)
Prerequisite: BSCI105; or students who have taken courses with similar
or comparable course content may contact the department.
An introduction to the biological dimension of world hunger. The
problems and potentials for increasing world food supply based on
current agronomic knowledge. Emphasis on international aspects of food
crop production and the interrelationships between agriculture and
human populations in the developing world.
PLSC 305 Introduction to Turf Management (3)
Two hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week.
Principles of turf culture. Identification and uses of turfgrass
species; turfgrass fertilization, cultivation, mowing and establishment;
and the identification of turf pests.
PLSC 321 Landscape Structures and Materials (3)
One hour of lecture and five hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite:
PLSC320. Also offered as: LARC321. Credit only granted for: LARC321 or
PLSC321.
An examination of the use, properties, and detailing of materials used
in landscape construction. The use and design of structures in the
landscape.
PLSC 361 Commercial Principles of Landscape Management (3)
Two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: BMGT220; or permission of AGNR-Plant Science & Landscape
Architecture department. Corequisite: Concurrently enrolled in PLSC100;
or concurrently enrolled in PLSC101. Recommended: LARC160. Credit only
granted for: PLSC261 or PLSC361. Formerly: PLSC261.
Commercial management practices associated with the landscape
build/design and maintenance industry are emphasized. Lectures focus on
strategic planning, job cost management, bidding and estimating,
marketing, and personnel management. Laboratories and field trips
familiarize students with the landscape industry by interfacing with
corporations and industry-related term projects.
PLSC 388 Honors Thesis Research (3-6)
Prerequisite: Must be in the AGNR Honors Program. Repeatable to 6
credits if content differs.
Undergraduate honors thesis research conducted under the direction of an
AGNR faculty member in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the
College of AGNR Honors Program. The thesis will be defended to a faculty
committee.
PLSC 389 Internship (1-3)
Prerequisite: Permission of AGNR-Plant Science & Landscape Architecture
department. Restriction: Junior standing or higher. And must be in Plant
Sciences program; or must be in Landscape Architecture program.
Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs. Formerly: NRSC389.
Credit will be given for practical work carried out at one or more
horticultural, agronomic, landscape industries, botanical gardens, or
arboreta under formally arranged internships.
PLSC 398 Seminar (1)
Restriction: Senior standing. And must be in Landscape Architecture
program; or must be in Plant Sciences program. Formerly: NRSC398.
Oral presentation of the results of investigational work by reviewing
recent scientific literature in the various phases of natural resource
sciences, horticulture and agronomy.
PLSC 399 Special Problems in Plant Science (1-3)
Prerequisite: 12 credits in PLSC courses; and permission of AGNR-Plant
Science & Landscape Architecture department. Restriction: Must be in
Plant Sciences program. Repeatable to 6 credits.
Research projects in Plant Science including field, greenhouse,
laboratory, studio and/or library studies. Research is conducted under
the direction of a faculty member.
PLSC 400 Environmental Plant Physiology (4)
Two hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite:
PLSC100 or PLSC101; or (BSCI106 and BSCI105). Recommended: CHEM131 and
CHEM132. Restriction: Junior standing or higher. Formerly: NRSC401.
An introduction to the basic physical and physiological principles
necessary for understanding the interactions between plants and their
environment. The overall objective is to understand plant responses and
adaptions to the environment and the ecological relevance of these
responses.
PLSC 401 Pest Management Strategies for Turfgrass (3)
Prerequisite: PLSC305.
Interdisciplinary view of weed, disease, and insect management from an
agronomy perspective. Plant responses to pest invasion, diagnosis of
pest-related disorders, and principles of weed, disease and insect
suppression through cultural, biological and chemical means are
discussed.
PLSC 402 Sports Turf Management (3)
Two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: PLSC305 and PLSC401.
Sports turf management, including design, construction, soil
modification, soil cultural techniques, pesticide use, fertilization,
and specialized equipment.
PLSC 407 Advanced Crop Science (3)
Prerequisite: PLSC101 and BSCI105.
A study of principles of production for forage crops, corn, small
grains, rice, millets, sorghums, soybeans and other oil seed crops.
Their seed production, processing, distribution and the current federal
and state seed control programs for these agronomic crops will also be
discussed.
PLSC 410 Commercial Turf Maintenance and Production (3)
Two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: PLSC305; or permission of AGNR-Plant Science & Landscape
Architecture department.
Agronomic programs and practices used in hydroseeding, commercial lawn
care, sod production and seed production. Current environmental,
regulatory and business management issues confronting the turfgrass
industry.
PLSC 415 Diseases of Trees and Shrubs (3)
Prerequisite: PLSC100 and PLSC201; or permission of instructor. Credit
only granted for: PLSC415 or PLSC489E. Formerly: PLSC489E.
Diseases on woody plants commonly planted or native to Mid-Atlantic
region. Biology, identification and management of important plant
pathogens.
PLSC 420 Principles of Plant Pathology (4)
Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: CHEM131, CHEM132, and PLSC201; or students who have taken
courses with similar or comparable course content may contact the
department. Formerly: NRSC410.
An introduction to the causal agents, nature and management of plant
diseases with particular attention paid to economically important
diseases of horticultural and agronomic crops.
PLSC 425 Green Roofs and Urban Sustainability (1)
Credit only granted for: PLSC425 or PLSC489V. Formerly: PLSC489V.
The integration of disciplines associated with sustainability issues.
Topics range from plant science to design to policy, all of which can
contribute to improving the urban environment.
PLSC 430 Water and Nutrient Planning for the Nursery and Greenhouse Industry (3)
Two hours of lecture and three hours of discussion/recitation per week.
Prerequisite: CHEM131 and CHEM132; or ENST200; or permission of
instructor. Recommended: PLSC432. Credit only granted for: NRSC400 or
PLSC430. Formerly: NRSC400.
Skills will be developed in order to write nutrient management plans for
the greenhouse and nursery industry. Completion of this course can lead
to professional certification in nutrient planning by the State of
Maryland after MDA examinations are passed.
PLSC 432 Greenhouse Crop Production (3)
Two hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite:
PLSC201 and PLSC202; and completed or be concurrently enrolled in
BSCI442.
The commercial production and marketing of ornamental plant crops under
greenhouse, plastic houses and out-of-door conditions.
PLSC 433 Technology of Fruit and Vegetable Production (4)
Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: PLSC201, NRSC411, PLSC271, and PLSC202; or students who
have taken courses with similar or comparable course content may contact
the department. Corequisite: Concurrently enrolled in BSCI442.
Recommended: ENST200. Restriction: Junior standing or higher. Credit
only granted for: NRSC411 or PLSC433.
A critical analysis of research work and application of the principles
of plant physiology, chemistry and botany to practical problems in the
commercial production of fruit and vegetable crops.
PLSC 452 Environmental Horticulture (3)
Two hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite:
PLSC100 or PLSC101; and (PLSC253 and PLSC254).
Environmental horticulture principles used in the establishment and
maintenance of plant materials in residential and commercial landscapes
will be addressed. The effect of soil conditions, environmental factors,
and commercial practices will be discussed in relation to the growth and
development of newly-installed plant materials. Field diagnostics will
be used by students to assess significant problems of plant decline.
Environmental sustainability will be combined with current commercial
practices of storm water management, nutrient management, and irrigation
management to achieve an integrated approach to plant management.
PLSC 453 Weed Science (3)
Two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
Weed identification, ecology, and control (cultural, mechanical,
biological, and chemical methods).
PLSC 460 Application of Knowledge in Plant Sciences (3)
Two hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite:
PLSC100 or PLSC101; or permission of instructor. Recommended: ENGL393
and ENST200; and (PLSC389 or PLSC399). Restriction: Senior standing or
higher. And must be in a major within AGNR-Plant Science & Landscape
Architecture department; or Must be in another related major.
A capstone course based on interactions with plant science professionals
and student-led class discussions. Students will apply their knowledge
and experience to practical issues in the discipline, further develop
critical thinking ability, and enhance their communication, teamwork,
and professional skills. Topics will include nutrient management,
integrated pest management, plant interactions with urban and rural
ecosystems, planning of public grounds, plant biotechnology, and
teaching skills.
PLSC 461 Cultural Management of Nursery and Greenhouse Systems: Substrates (1)
Credit only granted for: PLSC461 or PLSC489T. Formerly: PLSC489T.
One of four 1-credit modules covering the management techniques used in
the intensive culture of plants in commercial operations. Specifically,
this module covers the composition, handling, physical and chemical
properties of substrates and how they should be managed to maximize
plant growth. Course material is delivered primarily online, but a four
hour face-to-face lecture/lab will be held at the end of the module.
PLSC 462 Cultural Management of Nursery and Greenhouse Systems; Irrigation (1)
Credit only granted for: PLSC462 and PLSC489W. Formerly: PLSC489W.
One of four 1-credit modules covering the management techniques used in
the intensive culture of plants in commercial operations. Specifically,
this module covers water quantity and quality issues, water supply
(basic hydraulics), irrigation system design and irrigation system
evaluation (performance) to maximize water application efficiency.
Course material is delivered primarily online, but a four hour
face-to-face lecture/lab will be held at the end of the module.
PLSC 463 Cultural Management of Nursery and Greenhouse Systems: Surface Water (1)
Credit only granted for: PLSC463 or PLSC489Y. Formerly: PLSC489Y.
One of four 1-credit modules covering the management techniques used in
the intensive culture of plants in commercial operations. Specifically,
this module covers the basics of surface water management, specific
management practices, containment basin design and capture and recycling
of irrigation water for intensive plant production operations. Course
material is delivered primarily online, but a four hour face-to-face
lecture/lab will be held at the end of the module.
PLSC 464 Cultural Management of Nursery and Greenhouse Systems: Nutrients (1)
Credit only granted for: PLSC464 or PLSC489Z. Formerly: PLSC489Z.
One of four 1-credit modules covering the management techniques used in
the intensive culture of plants in commercial operations. Specifically,
this module covers the basics of fertilization, different fertilization
strategies and nutrient use and efficiency, to optimize nutrient
application practices in intensive plant production systems. Course
material is delivered primarily online, but a four hour face-to-face
lecture/lab will be held at the end of the module.
PLSC 471 Forest Ecology (3)
Prerequisite: PLSC201 or BSCI106.
An understanding of the forest ecosystem, its structure and the
processes that regulate it are provided. It also considers changes that
occur in forests, the interaction of environment and genetics in
promoting ecosystem sustainability, and the role of human influences on
urban forest ecosystems.
PLSC 472 Capstone-Urban Forest Project Management (3)
Prerequisite: ENST200, PLSC272, and PLSC471. Restriction: Senior
standing or higher; and must be in a major within AGNR-Plant Science &
Landscape Architecture department.
Students will synthesize the ideas and information learned from their
studies in urban forestry. Working in teams, students will complete
projects involving real-world issues. Student projects will use
scientific, social, political and ethical considerations in an
interdisciplinary approach to provide solutions to their problem.
PLSC 473 Woody Plant Physiology (3)
Prerequisite: BSCI442 or PLSC201; or students who have taken courses
with similar or comparable course content may contact the department.
Formerly: NRSC473.
Concentration is placed on physiological processes important to woody
plant growth and development. Emphasis will be placed on current
concepts and theories of how woody plants grow and develop, and the
critical assessment of current research in woody plant physiology.
Course readings will include textbook assignments and selected papers
from the current scientific literature.
PLSC 474 Physiology of Maturation and Storage of Horticultural Crops (3)
Two hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite:
Completed or be concurrently enrolled in BSCI442.
The physiological and biochemical changes occurring during storage of
horticultural commodities. Application of scientific principles to
handling and storage of fresh produce.
PLSC 475 Silviculture (4)
Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: PLSC100 or BSCI106; or permission of instructor.
Recommended: PLSC253 or PLSC254. Restriction: Junior standing or higher.
Silviculture is the science of forest stand dynamics and the biotic and
abiotic factors affecting it. Issues addressed will be related to forest
stand development, from regeneration to harvesting and the sustainable
management for multiple uses. Topics covered will be related to natural
and managed stands in both rural and urban environments.
PLSC 481 Vegetation Assessment and Analysis (2)
Prerequisite: PLSC100 or BSCI106; or permission of instructor.
Recommended: PLSC201, BSCI360, PLSC226, or PLSC471.
An overview of vegetation assessment through the collection of data in
the field (e.g. plots and transects) and the analysis of existing data
and remotely detected images (e.g. Aerial photographs and GIS layers).
PLSC 489 Special Topics in Plant Science (1-3)
Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs.
A lecture and or laboratory series organized to study a selected phase
of Plant Science not covered by existing courses. Credit according to
time scheduled and organization of the course.
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