2026-2027 Academic Catalog

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Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science (PPWS)

PPWS 2004 - Mysterious Mushrooms, Malicious Molds (3 credits)

Study of the fungi and their close relatives, with special attention to their roles in the natural world and in shaping the course of human history. Historical and practical significance of fungi as sources of medicine, pathogens of plants and animals, rotters and decayers of organic matter, makers of food and drink, manufacturers of dangerous toxins, and producers of mind-altering chemicals. A student must have a basic understanding of biology.

Pathway Concept Area(s): 4 Reasoning in Natural Sci., 11 Intercultural&Global Aware.

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

PPWS 2104 - Plants, Genes, and People (3 credits)

Explores how and why humans have manipulated plant genomes from prehistory through the current genomic era by examining the scientific, cultural, historical, and legal aspects of plant gene management in both conventional and transgenic crops.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1005 or BIOL 1105

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

PPWS 2754 - Weeds That Shape Our World (3 credits)

How weeds shape our world, and why society will never get rid of them. Introduction to weed identification, weeds in their socio-cultural, environmental, and economic context. Consideration of the tension among their beneficial aspects, control, human attitudes, and the ethical dilemmas they post to society.

Pathway Concept Area(s): 4 Reasoning in Natural Sci., 10 Ethical Reasoning

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

PPWS 2964 - Field Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

PPWS 2984 - Special Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

PPWS 2994 - Undergraduate Research (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

PPWS 4104 - Plant Pathology (4 credits)

Introduction to plant pathology as a science and a crop protection discipline. Plant disease diagnosis, biology, and identification of plant disease-causing agents, factors leading to disease build-up, and management of plant diseases. Diseases of specific crops are studied as examples to illustrate general principles.

Prerequisite(s): (BIOL 1005 or BIOL 1105) and (BIOL 1006 or BIOL 1106)

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Lab, 4 Crd)

PPWS 4114 - Microbial Forensics and Biosecurity (3 credits)

Concepts of comparative and evolutionary genomics for pathogen characterization and identification taught through case studies of bioterrorism, involuntary and voluntary disease transmission, infectious disease epidemics, and genetically modified organisms; emphasis placed on unambiguous source attribution of a disease outbreak to a particular microbe, risk assessment, response as individual, community, and nation to a bioterrorism attack or disease outbreak, federal biosecurity regulations, and career opportunities.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2604 or PPWS 2104

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

PPWS 4154 - Plant Problem Diagnosis (3 credits)

Plant problem diagnosis in the laboratory and field, including recognition of disease, insect and abiotic (nonliving) problems, as well as the major groups of plant pathogens of a variety of regionally important horticultural and agronomic crops. General management options for pests and pathogens.

Corequisite(s): PPWS 4104

Instructional Contact Hours: (2 Lec, 3 Lab, 3 Crd)

PPWS 4264 - Pesticide Usage (3 credits)

An interdisciplinary study of pesticides used in urban and agricultural environments. Topics studied will include: classification, toxicology, formulation, application techniques, safety, legal considerations, environmental impact, and research and development of new pesticides.

Instructional Contact Hours: (2 Lec, 3 Lab, 3 Crd)

Course Crosslist: ENT 4264

PPWS 4604 - Biological Invasions (3 credits)

Broad overview of the causes, consequences, and epidemiology of invasive plants, animals, and microbes. Conceptual, mechanistic, societal, and political components of invasive species from Darwin to modern day, covering the invasion process from introduction to ecological or economic impact. Taxonomy, management, and risk assessment will be covered via case studies, within a policy context.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1105 and BIOL 1106

Instructional Contact Hours: (2 Lec, 3 Lab, 3 Crd)

PPWS 4964 - Field Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

PPWS 4974 - Independent Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

PPWS 4984 - Special Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

PPWS 4994 - Undergraduate Research (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

PPWS 5054 - Plant Pathogenic Agents (3 credits)

Biology of plant pathogenic fungi, prokaryotes, viruses, and nematodes: morphology, taxonomy, ecology, plant-pathogen interactions, symptomatology, and selected aspects of management. Pre: Graduate standing.

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

PPWS 5154 - Plant Problem Diagnosis (3 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: (2 Lec, 3 Lab, 3 Crd)

PPWS 5204 - Principles of Plant Disease Management (3 credits)

Methods of plant disease management, and theories and effectiveness of their application. Discussion based on epidemiological principles. Methods include: cultural practices, resistance, chemical, and biological control. Laboratory 5214 supplements this course.

Prerequisite(s): PPWS 3104

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

PPWS 5214 - Diseases of Crop Plants (1 credit)

Symptoms, pathogen morphology, etiology, epidemiology, and practical control principles for important diseases of grains, oilseeds, legumes, forages, vegetables, fruits, ornamentals, and turf. Two semesters of college biology and one course in general plant pathology or equivalent exposure required. Graduate standing required.

Prerequisite(s): PPWS 3104

Instructional Contact Hours: (1 Lec, 1 Crd)

PPWS 5234 - Applied Statistics for Plant and Environmental Sciences (3 credits)

Experimental design, data management, practical implementation of appropriate linear modeling statistical methods for plant, agricultural, and environmental research data. Emphasis on parametric methods, with some non-parametric analyses. Design lab/studio environment using a commercial standalone statistical program to analyze provided agricultural/environmental data sets as well as student’s original research data. Design Lab/Studio.

Prerequisite(s): STAT 5615

Instructional Contact Hours: (1 Lec, 3 Lab, 3 Crd)

PPWS 5314 - Biological Paradigms for Bioinformatics (3 credits)

This course is an intensive introduction to the central paradigms of molecular cell biology for bioinformatics. Material from cell molecular biology, and genetics will be presented, and placed in a genomics context. The course prepares students in mathematical disciplines to interact in teams in the pursuit of bioinformatics research. Pre: Senior or graduate standing in mathematically-based disciplines such as computer science, statistics, mathematics or engineering.

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

Course Crosslist: GBCB 5314

PPWS 5344 - Molecular Biology for the Life Sciences (3 credits)

A multi-disciplinary treatment of gene organization and expression in animal and plant systems. Emphasis on the applications of molecular biology to current problems in applied biology and biotechnology.

Prerequisite(s): BCHM 4116 or BCHM 5124

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

Course Crosslist: BCHM 5344

PPWS 5454 - Plant Disease Physiology and Development (3 credits)

Principles and concepts of infection and colonization of plants. Role of hosts and pathogens physiology and biochemistry in disease susceptibility and resistance, recognition, and disease specificity.

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

PPWS 5534 - Advanced Plant Physiology and Metabolism II (3 credits)

Presentation of the current understanding of metabolic and functional relationships among primary and secondary metabolites and storage products and their impact on the whole plant. Biosynthesis of phytohormones. Mechanisms controlling responses to phytohormones including: impact on carbon/nitrogen partitioning, senescence, development of higher plant structures such as vascular tissue and flowers. Pre: undergraduate major in Biology or related discipline.

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

PPWS 5604G - Adv Biological Invasions (3 credits)

Causes, consequences, and epidemiology of invasive plants animals, and microbes. Conceptual, mechanistic, societal, and political components of invasive species from Darwin to modern day; invasion process from introduction to ecological or economic impact. Taxonomy, management, and risk assessment, within a policy context. Pre: Graduate standing.

Instructional Contact Hours: (2 Lec, 1 Lab, 3 Crd)

PPWS 5704 - Weed Science and Management (3 credits)

Biological and ecological principles that influence persistence and spread of weeds. Weed genetics and the dynamics of plant species and communities, with emphasis on invasive species. Characteristics of herbicide action and metabolism that influence selectivity, resistance, and fate. Genetic engineering of herbicide resistant crops. Analysis of weed control programs for specific crops Pre: Two semesters of college biology and chemistry or two years experience in agricultural production, industry, or policy. Graduate standing required.

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

PPWS 5714 - Molecular Biology for Applied Plant Sciences (3 credits)

Fundamental principles of molecular biology and genomics in applied plant production disciplines. Applications of molecular biology to research through problem-based, hands- on methods in plant pathology and weed control. Pre: Graduate Standing.

Instructional Contact Hours: (2 Lec, 3 Lab, 3 Crd)

PPWS 5894 - Final Exam (Non-Thesis) (3 credits)

For students pursuing a non-thesis Masters degree, who have completed all other course work.

Instructional Contact Hours: (0 Lec, 3 Crd)

PPWS 5904 - Project and Report (1-19 credits)

For students pursuing a non-thesis Masters degree. Projects may involve guided research or an internship.

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

PPWS 5974 - Independent Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

PPWS 5984 - Special Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

PPWS 5994 - Research and Thesis (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

PPWS 6004 - Advanced Topics in Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science (1-19 credits)

In depth presentations and discussions on selected advanced topics in plant pathology, physiology, and weed science. May be repeated.

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

PPWS 6984 - Special Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

PPWS 7994 - Research and Dissertation (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course