Course Descriptions
Undergraduate | Graduate
The following descriptions are for the courses offered by the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. For a description of courses offered by other departments, see the MSU Schedule of Courses 
.
Undergraduate Level Courses
- AT 291 - Turfgrass and Landscape Calculations
- Fall,
2 credits. Basic math skills that are directly applicable to landscape and turfgrass management including volumetric, linear, fertilizer, pesticide, and flow calibration calculations.
Instructor: Thom Nikolai
- Fall,
2 credits. Basic math skills that are directly applicable to landscape and turfgrass management including volumetric, linear, fertilizer, pesticide, and flow calibration calculations.
Instructor: Thom Nikolai
- CSS 101 - Introduction to Crop Science
- Fall,
3 credits. Principles of crop management, improvement, and fertilization. International and sustainable agriculture. Water quality issues.
Instructor: Karen Renner
- Fall,
3 credits. Principles of crop management, improvement, and fertilization. International and sustainable agriculture. Water quality issues.
Instructor: Karen Renner
- CSS 105 - Agricultural Industries Seminar
- Fall, 1 credit. Preparing students to succeed academically and professionally and introducing them to opportunities in the agriculture industry.
- CSS 110 - Computer Applications in Agronomy
- Fall, Spring, Summer,
2 credits. Open only to students in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Not open to students with credit in CSE 101. Use of computers in agriculture. Basic computer operating systems. Management and use of storage media. Laboratory experience in word processing, spread sheets, data bases, programming languages, networking, and software related to agriculture.
Instructor: Dave Krauss
- Fall, Spring, Summer,
2 credits. Open only to students in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Not open to students with credit in CSE 101. Use of computers in agriculture. Basic computer operating systems. Management and use of storage media. Laboratory experience in word processing, spread sheets, data bases, programming languages, networking, and software related to agriculture.
Instructor: Dave Krauss
- CSS 120 - Agricultural Industry Issues
- Fall, 3 credits. Issues facing the agricultural industry. Role of government in addressing these issues.
- CSS 124 - Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems
- Fall, Spring,
1 credit. Description: Impact of agricultural and social sciences on our food system. Contemporary research and movements involving agricultural and food system sustainability. Interdepartmental with Horticulture, Environmental Studies and Agriscience. Administered by Crop and Soil Sciences.
Instructor: Julie Cotton
- Fall, Spring,
1 credit. Description: Impact of agricultural and social sciences on our food system. Contemporary research and movements involving agricultural and food system sustainability. Interdepartmental with Horticulture, Environmental Studies and Agriscience. Administered by Crop and Soil Sciences.
Instructor: Julie Cotton
- CSS 135 - Crop Scouting and Investigation
- Spring of every year,
2 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 101. Crop production, pest scouting and other production problems, and field diagnoses. Interaction with agriculture clientele. Offered first ten weeks of semester.
Instructor: Karen Renner
- Spring of every year,
2 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 101. Crop production, pest scouting and other production problems, and field diagnoses. Interaction with agriculture clientele. Offered first ten weeks of semester.
Instructor: Karen Renner
- CSS 151 - Seed and Grain Quality
- Spring,
2 credits. Principles and practices of producing, conditioning, testing and marketing field crop seed. Grain grading and quality evaluation. Offered the first ten weeks of semester.
Instructor: Randy Judd
- Spring,
2 credits. Principles and practices of producing, conditioning, testing and marketing field crop seed. Grain grading and quality evaluation. Offered the first ten weeks of semester.
Instructor: Randy Judd
- CSS 171 - Turfgrass Operations Budgeting
- Spring,
2 credits. Recommended: CSS 232 and CSS 210. Budgeting. Financial analysis. Purchasing and materials management for golf course operations. Offered first ten weeks of semester.
Instructor: David Remick
- Spring,
2 credits. Recommended: CSS 232 and CSS 210. Budgeting. Financial analysis. Purchasing and materials management for golf course operations. Offered first ten weeks of semester.
Instructor: David Remick
- CSS 178 - Turfgrass Irrigation
- Spring,
3 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 232. Turfgrass irrigation systems. Installation and maintenance including water management. Offered first ten weeks of semester.
Instructor: Thom Nikolai
- Spring,
3 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 232. Turfgrass irrigation systems. Installation and maintenance including water management. Offered first ten weeks of semester.
Instructor: Thom Nikolai
- CSS 181 - Pesticide and Fertilizer Application Technology
- Spring,
3 credits. Effective and efficient application of pesticides and fertilizers to turf; pesticide handling, legal, and environment concerns. Calibration of equipment. Offered first ten weeks of semester.
Instructor: David Gilstrap
- Spring,
3 credits. Effective and efficient application of pesticides and fertilizers to turf; pesticide handling, legal, and environment concerns. Calibration of equipment. Offered first ten weeks of semester.
Instructor: David Gilstrap
- CSS 192 - Professional Development Seminar I
- Spring,
1 credit. Open only to students in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. Career development, critical issues analysis, resume writing, scientific presentations and public speaking in crop and soil sciences.
Instructor: Karen Renner
- Spring,
1 credit. Open only to students in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. Career development, critical issues analysis, resume writing, scientific presentations and public speaking in crop and soil sciences.
Instructor: Karen Renner
- CSS 201 - Forage Crops
- Fall,
3 credits. Forage crop production, management, and utilization. Crop identification. Soil fertilization. Planting and harvesting of grasses and legumes.
Instructor: Richard Leep
- Fall,
3 credits. Forage crop production, management, and utilization. Crop identification. Soil fertilization. Planting and harvesting of grasses and legumes.
Instructor: Richard Leep
- CSS 202 - The World of Turf
- Fall,
2 credits. Role of turf in society and the environment. Principles underlying establishment and maintenance of turf on athletic fields, parks, home lawns, and golf courses. Aesthetic, safety, and economic aspects of turfgrass management practices.
Instructor: David Gilstrap
- Fall,
2 credits. Role of turf in society and the environment. Principles underlying establishment and maintenance of turf on athletic fields, parks, home lawns, and golf courses. Aesthetic, safety, and economic aspects of turfgrass management practices.
Instructor: David Gilstrap
- CSS 202L - World of Turf Lab
- Fall,
1 credit. Prerequisite: CSS 202 or concurrently. Turfgrass identification. Site analysis and recommendations. On campus facility and venue visits. Mowing equipment and practices. Turf establishment. Soil cultivation and amendments. Fertilizer and pest management. Field trips required.
Instructor: David Gilstrap
- Fall,
1 credit. Prerequisite: CSS 202 or concurrently. Turfgrass identification. Site analysis and recommendations. On campus facility and venue visits. Mowing equipment and practices. Turf establishment. Soil cultivation and amendments. Fertilizer and pest management. Field trips required.
Instructor: David Gilstrap
- CSS 203 - Applied Turf Management
- Fall,
1 credit. Prerequisite: CSS 202 or concurrently. Not open to students with credit in: CSS 232. Principles and practices for establishing and maintaining turf in residential and commercial lawns. Field trips required.
Instructor: David Gilstrap
- Fall,
1 credit. Prerequisite: CSS 202 or concurrently. Not open to students with credit in: CSS 232. Principles and practices for establishing and maintaining turf in residential and commercial lawns. Field trips required.
Instructor: David Gilstrap
- CSS 210 - Fundamentals of Soil Science
- Fall, Spring,
3 credits. Recommended: CEM 141. Agricultural and natural resource ecosystems: soil, vegetation and ground water components. Energy, water and nutrient cycles. Soil classification and mapping. Land management and use issues.
Instructor: Jim Crum
- Fall, Spring,
3 credits. Recommended: CEM 141. Agricultural and natural resource ecosystems: soil, vegetation and ground water components. Energy, water and nutrient cycles. Soil classification and mapping. Land management and use issues.
Instructor: Jim Crum
- CSS 212 - Advanced Crop Production
- Spring,
2 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 101. Recommended: CSS 210 and CSS 110. Systematic approach to production of field crops including: corn, soybeans, small grains, sugar beets and dry beans.
Instructor: Eunice Foster
- Spring,
2 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 101. Recommended: CSS 210 and CSS 110. Systematic approach to production of field crops including: corn, soybeans, small grains, sugar beets and dry beans.
Instructor: Eunice Foster
- CSS 222 - New Horizons in Biotechnology
- Fall,
2 credits. Perspectives on biotechnology for safer food production, environmental quality, and improved human health. Impacts of biotechnology on the national economy. Political and ethical ramifications of applied biotechnology. Interdepartmental with Entomology. Administered by Crop and Soil Sciences.
Instructor: Mariam Sticklen
- Fall,
2 credits. Perspectives on biotechnology for safer food production, environmental quality, and improved human health. Impacts of biotechnology on the national economy. Political and ethical ramifications of applied biotechnology. Interdepartmental with Entomology. Administered by Crop and Soil Sciences.
Instructor: Mariam Sticklen
- CSS 232 - Turfgrass Management
- Fall,
4 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 210 or concurrently. Recommended: CSS 110 or CSE 101. Turfgrass utilization, identification, establishment and management principles. Responses to various cultural practices.
Instructor: Trey Rogers
- Fall,
4 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 210 or concurrently. Recommended: CSS 110 or CSE 101. Turfgrass utilization, identification, establishment and management principles. Responses to various cultural practices.
Instructor: Trey Rogers
- CSS 251 - Organic Farming Principles and Practices
- Spring, 3 credits. History and principles of organic farming. Farms as ecological systems. Certification process and agencies. Organic matter management, the soil food web, and nutrient availability. Biodiversity, crop rotations, plant competition, ground cover, and plant health. Integrating crops and animals. Organic animal husbandry. Field trip required. Interdepartmental with Horticulture. Administered by Horticulture.
- CSS 262 - Turfgrass Management Seminar
- Fall,
1 credit. Prerequisite: CSS 232 or concurrently. A student may earn a maximum of 2 credits in all enrollments for this course. Presentations by individuals involved in turfgrass and golf course management. Topics include golf course construction and operations, preparation for tournaments, and public relations.
Instructor: Trey Rogers
- Fall,
1 credit. Prerequisite: CSS 232 or concurrently. A student may earn a maximum of 2 credits in all enrollments for this course. Presentations by individuals involved in turfgrass and golf course management. Topics include golf course construction and operations, preparation for tournaments, and public relations.
Instructor: Trey Rogers
- CSS 264 - Golf Course Design
- Fall,
2 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 210 and CSS 232 and CSS 267. Concepts and theory of golf course design and construction including location, space, topography, clientele, and environmental concerns.
Instructor: Judith Matthews
- Fall,
2 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 210 and CSS 232 and CSS 267. Concepts and theory of golf course design and construction including location, space, topography, clientele, and environmental concerns.
Instructor: Judith Matthews
- CSS 267 - Turfgrass Practices
- Spring,
2 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 232. Turfgrass establishment, renovation, and construction principles. Maintenance of golf course turf. Agronomic and management principles applied to golf course maintenance.
Instructor: Trey Rogers
- Spring,
2 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 232. Turfgrass establishment, renovation, and construction principles. Maintenance of golf course turf. Agronomic and management principles applied to golf course maintenance.
Instructor: Trey Rogers
- CSS 269 - Turfgrass Strategies
- Spring,
2 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 232 and CSS 267. Issues in turfgrass management including employee relations, construction, and environmental problems. Offered first ten weeks of semester. Offered first ten weeks of semester.
Instructor: Trey Rogers
- Spring,
2 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 232 and CSS 267. Issues in turfgrass management including employee relations, construction, and environmental problems. Offered first ten weeks of semester. Offered first ten weeks of semester.
Instructor: Trey Rogers
- CSS 272 - Turfgrass Soil Fertility
- Spring,
2 credits. Recommended: CSS 210. Soil-plant relationships, soil acidity and alkalinity, macro- and micro-nutrients, fertilizer materials, soil fertility, evaluations, and fertilizer programming. Offered first ten weeks of semester.
Instructor: Jim Crum
- Spring,
2 credits. Recommended: CSS 210. Soil-plant relationships, soil acidity and alkalinity, macro- and micro-nutrients, fertilizer materials, soil fertility, evaluations, and fertilizer programming. Offered first ten weeks of semester.
Instructor: Jim Crum
- CSS 290 - Independent Study in Crop and Soil Sciences
- Fall, Spring, Summer,
variable from 1 to 3 credits. A student may earn a maximum of 6 credits in all enrollments for this course. Open only to students in the Institute of Agricultural Technology. Field, laboratory, or library research problems.
Instructors: David Gilstrap and Trey Rogers
- Fall, Spring, Summer,
variable from 1 to 3 credits. A student may earn a maximum of 6 credits in all enrollments for this course. Open only to students in the Institute of Agricultural Technology. Field, laboratory, or library research problems.
Instructors: David Gilstrap
- CSS 292 - Management of Turfgrass Weeds
- Fall, 3 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 232. Recommended: PLB 105. Chemical, biological, and cultural methods of managing turfgrass weeds. Environmental considerations in weed management.
- CSS 294 - Issues in International Agriculture
- Spring,
1 credit. Global issues related to food production, soil resources and sustainability of agriculture in developing and developed countries.
Instructor: Russ Freed
- Spring,
1 credit. Global issues related to food production, soil resources and sustainability of agriculture in developing and developed countries.
Instructor: Russ Freed
- CSS 302 - Principles of Weed Management
- Fall of every year,
3 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 101 or PLB 105 or BS 161 or HRT 203 or CSS 232. Cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical weed management principles and practices. Environmental considerations.
Instructor: Jim Kells
- Fall of every year,
3 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 101 or PLB 105 or BS 161 or HRT 203 or CSS 232. Cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical weed management principles and practices. Environmental considerations.
Instructor: Jim Kells
- CSS 330 - Soil Chemistry
- Spring,
2 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 210 and CEM 143. Organic and inorganic soil processes including mineralogy, adsorption, and precipitation. Chemistry of soil organic matter and inorganic soil components. Offered first ten weeks of semester.
Instructor: Brian Teppen
- Spring,
2 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 210 and CEM 143. Organic and inorganic soil processes including mineralogy, adsorption, and precipitation. Chemistry of soil organic matter and inorganic soil components. Offered first ten weeks of semester.
Instructor: Brian Teppen
- CSS 340 - Applied Soil Physics
- Spring,
2 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 210. Soil physical properties including solids, water, air, and heat. Transport processes in soil. Offered first ten weeks of semester.
Instructor: Alvin Smucker
- Spring,
2 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 210. Soil physical properties including solids, water, air, and heat. Transport processes in soil. Offered first ten weeks of semester.
Instructor: Alvin Smucker
- CSS 350 - Introduction to Plant Genetics
- Spring, 3 credits. Prerequisite: PLB 105 or BS 161. Not open to freshmen or sophomores. Fundamentals of plant genetics with applications to agriculture and natural resources.
- CSS 360 - Soil Biology
- Fall,
3 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 210. Recommended: CSS 330. Overview of organismal diversity and biological soil processes. Role of macroorganisms and microorganisms in soil processing, including nutrient cycling.
Instructors: Phil Robertson and Sieglinde Snapp
- Fall,
3 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 210. Recommended: CSS 330. Overview of organismal diversity and biological soil processes. Role of macroorganisms and microorganisms in soil processing, including nutrient cycling.
Instructors: Phil Robertson
- CSS 382 - Turfgrass Physiology
- Spring,
2 credits. Prerequisite: (CSS 232) Completion of Tier I writing requirement.. Recommended: PLB 105. Not open to students with credit in: CSS 282, CSS 332, or CSS 068. Physiological principles of turfgrass growth and development. Water relations, light, temperature, respiration, photosynthesis, mineral nutrition, and hormone action. Impact of mowing, cultivation, and traffic on turfgrass growth. Offered first ten weeks of semester. Offered first ten weeks of semester. Interdepartmental with Horticulture.
Instructor: Suzanne Lang
- Spring,
2 credits. Prerequisite: (CSS 232) Completion of Tier I writing requirement.. Recommended: PLB 105. Not open to students with credit in: CSS 282, CSS 332, or CSS 068. Physiological principles of turfgrass growth and development. Water relations, light, temperature, respiration, photosynthesis, mineral nutrition, and hormone action. Impact of mowing, cultivation, and traffic on turfgrass growth. Offered first ten weeks of semester. Offered first ten weeks of semester. Interdepartmental with Horticulture.
Instructor: Suzanne Lang
- CSS 424 - Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems: Integration and Synthesis
- Fall,
3 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 124. Recommended: (CSS 101 or CSS 360 or CSS 431 or ENT 479 or HRT 203 or HRT 251 or HRT 341 or EEP 255 or EEP 260 or ESA 343) or (ESA 444 or GEO 410). Open to juniors or seniors or graduate students. Biogeochemical and socio-economic aspects of food, fiber, and fuel production. Environmental impacts and social context. Experiential learning projects. Interdepartmental with Horticulture, Environmental Studies and Agriscience.
Instructor: Julie Cotton
- Fall,
3 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 124. Recommended: (CSS 101 or CSS 360 or CSS 431 or ENT 479 or HRT 203 or HRT 251 or HRT 341 or EEP 255 or EEP 260 or ESA 343) or (ESA 444 or GEO 410). Open to juniors or seniors or graduate students. Biogeochemical and socio-economic aspects of food, fiber, and fuel production. Environmental impacts and social context. Experiential learning projects. Interdepartmental with Horticulture, Environmental Studies and Agriscience.
Instructor: Julie Cotton
- CSS 425 - Microbial Ecology
- Spring, 3 credits. Prerequisite: MMG 301. Recommended: MMG 301. Microbial population and community interactions. Microbial activities in natural systems, including associations with plants or animals. Interdepartmental with Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. Administered by Microbiology and Molecular Genetics.
- CSS 426 - Biogeochemistry
- Summer, 3 credits. Recommended: (BS 162 or LB 144 or BS 181H or BS 161 or LB 145 or BS 182H) and (CEM 143 or CEM 251). Integration of the principles of ecology, microbiology, geochemistry, and environmental chemistry. Societal applications of research in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Interdepartmental with Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Geological Sciences, Zoology. Administered by Microbiology and Molecular Genetics.
- CSS 431 - International Agricultural Systems
- Spring,
3 credits. Prerequisite: ANR 250 or EEP 260 or ISS 310 or ISS 315 or ISS 318 or ISS 320 or ISS 330A or ISS 330B or ISS 330C or ISS 336. Not open to freshmen. World production capacity for food, fiber and biofuel as related to soil, biology and climatic resources. Principles and case studies of sustainable systems presented from developing and developed countries. Emerging issues in agricultural globalization, sustainable development and biodiversity.
Instructor: Sieglinde Snapp
- Spring,
3 credits. Prerequisite: ANR 250 or EEP 260 or ISS 310 or ISS 315 or ISS 318 or ISS 320 or ISS 330A or ISS 330B or ISS 330C or ISS 336. Not open to freshmen. World production capacity for food, fiber and biofuel as related to soil, biology and climatic resources. Principles and case studies of sustainable systems presented from developing and developed countries. Emerging issues in agricultural globalization, sustainable development and biodiversity.
Instructor: Sieglinde Snapp
- CSS 441 - Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
- Spring of even years,
3 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 101. Plant improvement by genetic manipulation. Genetic variability in plants. Traditional and biotechnological means of creating and disseminating recombinant genotypes and cultivars. Interdepartmental with Forestry, Horticulture. Administered by Crop and Soil Sciences.
Instructor: Russ Freed
- Spring of even years,
3 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 101. Plant improvement by genetic manipulation. Genetic variability in plants. Traditional and biotechnological means of creating and disseminating recombinant genotypes and cultivars. Interdepartmental with Forestry, Horticulture. Administered by Crop and Soil Sciences.
Instructor: Russ Freed
- CSS 442 - Agricultural Ecology
- Fall,
3 credits. Open to juniors or seniors or graduate students. Ecological principles in the design and management of agricultural ecosystems. Integration of ecological factors regulating crop and rangeland productivity.
Instructor: Phil Robertson
- Fall,
3 credits. Open to juniors or seniors or graduate students. Ecological principles in the design and management of agricultural ecosystems. Integration of ecological factors regulating crop and rangeland productivity.
Instructor: Phil Robertson
- CSS 445 - Evolution
- Fall, 3 credits. Prerequisite: (ZOL 341 or CSS 350) and completion of Tier I writing requirement. Not open to freshmen. Processes of evolutionary change in animals, plants. Microbes. Population genetics, microevolution, speciation, adaptive radiation, macroevolution. Origin of Homo sapiens. Interdepartmental with Zoology, Plant Biology. Administered by Zoology.
- CSS 451 - Biotechnology Applications for Plant Breeding and Genetics
- Spring,
3 credits. Recommended: (CSS 350 or ZOL 341) and CSS 441. Principles, concepts, and techniques of agricultural plant biotechnology. Recombinant DNA technology, plant molecular biology, transformation, cell tissue, and organ culture in relation to plant improvement. Interdepartmental with Forestry, Horticulture. Administered by Crop and Soil Sciences.
Instructor: David Douches
- Spring,
3 credits. Recommended: (CSS 350 or ZOL 341) and CSS 441. Principles, concepts, and techniques of agricultural plant biotechnology. Recombinant DNA technology, plant molecular biology, transformation, cell tissue, and organ culture in relation to plant improvement. Interdepartmental with Forestry, Horticulture. Administered by Crop and Soil Sciences.
Instructor: David Douches
- CSS 452 - Watershed Concepts
- Fall, Spring, Summer, 3 credits. Prerequisite: ESA 324 and ZOL 355. Recommended: organic chemistry. Watershed hydrology and management. The hydrologic cycle, water quality, aquatic ecosystems and social systems. Laws and institutions for managing water resources. Interdepartmental with Environmental Studies and Agriscience, Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife, Biosystems Engineering. Administered by Environmental Studies and Agriscience.
- CSS 455 - Pollutants in the Soil Environment
- Fall,
3 credits. Prerequisite: (CEM 143) and completion of Tier I writing requirement. Open only to seniors or graduate students. Chemical and biological reactions of organic and inorganic pollutants in soils.
Instructor: Steve Boyd
- Fall,
3 credits. Prerequisite: (CEM 143) and completion of Tier I writing requirement. Open only to seniors or graduate students. Chemical and biological reactions of organic and inorganic pollutants in soils.
Instructor: Steve Boyd
- CSS 464 - Statistics for Biologists
- Fall,
3 credits. Recommended: STT 421. Biological random variables. Estimation of population parameters. Testing hypotheses. Linear correlation and regression. Analyses of counted and measured data to compare several biological groups including contingency tables and analysis of variance. Interdepartmental with Statistics and Probability, Animal Science. Administered by Statistics and Probability.
Instructor: Sasha Kravchenko
- Fall,
3 credits. Recommended: STT 421. Biological random variables. Estimation of population parameters. Testing hypotheses. Linear correlation and regression. Analyses of counted and measured data to compare several biological groups including contingency tables and analysis of variance. Interdepartmental with Statistics and Probability, Animal Science. Administered by Statistics and Probability.
Instructor: Sasha Kravchenko
- CSS 467 - BioEnergy Feedstock Production
- Fall,
3 credits. Prerequisite: MTH 103 or MTH 116. Recommended: CSS 101 and CSS 210. Agronomic, economic, technological, and environmental principles involved in bioenergy feedstock production. Cultivation, harvest, transportation, and storage of agricultural and forest biomass. Interdepartmental with Forestry, Biosystems Engineering. Administered by Crop and Soil Sciences.
Instructor: Kurt Thelen
- Fall,
3 credits. Prerequisite: MTH 103 or MTH 116. Recommended: CSS 101 and CSS 210. Agronomic, economic, technological, and environmental principles involved in bioenergy feedstock production. Cultivation, harvest, transportation, and storage of agricultural and forest biomass. Interdepartmental with Forestry, Biosystems Engineering. Administered by Crop and Soil Sciences.
Instructor: Kurt Thelen
- CSS 470 - Soil Resources
- Fall,
3 credits. Recommended: CSS 210. Not open to freshmen or sophomores. Evaluation of the properties, genesis, and classification of soil resources to assist in making land-use decisions. Field trips required.
Instructor: Jim Crum
- Fall,
3 credits. Recommended: CSS 210. Not open to freshmen or sophomores. Evaluation of the properties, genesis, and classification of soil resources to assist in making land-use decisions. Field trips required.
Instructor: Jim Crum
- CSS 477 - Pesticides in Pest Management
- Fall of even years,
3 credits. Prerequisite: PLP 405 or CSS 302 or ENT 404 or ENT 470. Recommended: CEM 143 or CEM 251. Open to juniors or seniors or graduate students. Chemistry, modes of action, product development and regulation of pesticides. Environmental and social aspects of pesticide use. Interdepartmental with Entomology, Horticulture. Administered by Entomology.
Instructor: Chris Difonzo
- Fall of even years,
3 credits. Prerequisite: PLP 405 or CSS 302 or ENT 404 or ENT 470. Recommended: CEM 143 or CEM 251. Open to juniors or seniors or graduate students. Chemistry, modes of action, product development and regulation of pesticides. Environmental and social aspects of pesticide use. Interdepartmental with Entomology, Horticulture. Administered by Entomology.
Instructor: Chris Difonzo
- CSS 478 - Integrated Pest Management
- Spring of odd years, 3 credits. Prerequisite: (ENT 404 or ENT 470 or PLP 405 or CSS 302) and completion of Tier I writing requirement. Theory, philosophy and application of pest management focusing on agricultural and natural systems. Interdepartmental with Entomology, Forestry, Horticulture. Administered by Entomology.
- CSS 480 - Soil Fertility and Management
- Fall,
3 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 101 and CSS 330 and CSS 340 and CSS 360 and (CSS 470 or concurrently). Comprehensive management of agricultural soils. Soil fertility, including liming and fertilizer materials and other nutrient sources. Site specific management. Environmental impacts including soil erosion, runoff, and organic matter mineralization.
Instructor: Kurt Steinke
- Fall,
3 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 101 and CSS 330 and CSS 340 and CSS 360 and (CSS 470 or concurrently). Comprehensive management of agricultural soils. Soil fertility, including liming and fertilizer materials and other nutrient sources. Site specific management. Environmental impacts including soil erosion, runoff, and organic matter mineralization.
Instructor: Kurt Steinke
- CSS 486 - Biotechnology in Agriculture: Applications and Ethical Issues
- Fall of even years, 3 credits. Prerequisite: BS 161 or PLB 105. Recommended: CSS 350 or ZOL 341. Not open to freshmen or sophomores. Current and future roles of biotechnology in agriculture: scientific basis, applications. Environmental, social, and ethical concerns. Interdepartmental with Horticulture, Forestry, Philosophy. Administered by Horticulture.
- CSS 488 - Agricultural Cropping Systems: Integration and Problem Solving
- Spring,
3 credits. Prerequisite: (CSS 101 and CSS 210) and completion of Tier I writing requirement.. Recommended: (CSS 480 and PLP 405 and ENT 404) and Course work in crop production and management.. Open only to seniors in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Integration and synthesis of agronomic and related concepts in agricultural cropping systems. Problem solving and application of information.
Instructor: Karen Renner
- Spring,
3 credits. Prerequisite: (CSS 101 and CSS 210) and completion of Tier I writing requirement.. Recommended: (CSS 480 and PLP 405 and ENT 404) and Course work in crop production and management.. Open only to seniors in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Integration and synthesis of agronomic and related concepts in agricultural cropping systems. Problem solving and application of information.
Instructor: Karen Renner
- CSS 490 - Independent Study
- Fall, Spring, Summer, variable from 1 to 4 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 101 or CSS 210. A student may earn a maximum of 8 credits in all enrollments for this course. Approval of department; application required. Individual work on field, laboratory, or library research problem of special interest to the student.
- CSS 491 - Special Topics
- Fall, Spring, Summer, variable from 1 to 4 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 101 or CSS 210. A student may earn a maximum of 8 credits in all enrollments for this course. Topics from crop production, crop physiology, turfgrass management, organic soils, turfgrass soils, soil fertility, plant and soil relationships, genetics, biotechnology, environmental science, or sustainable agriculture.
- CSS 492 - Professional Development Seminar II
- Fall,
1 credit. Prerequisite: (CSS 192 or CSS 262) and (CSS 210 and completion of Tier I Writing requirement). Open only to seniors in in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. Synthesis, integration and application of agronomic principles to current issues in agronomy via discussion and oral and written communication.
Instructor: Taylor Johnston
- Fall,
1 credit. Prerequisite: (CSS 192 or CSS 262) and (CSS 210 and completion of Tier I Writing requirement). Open only to seniors in in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. Synthesis, integration and application of agronomic principles to current issues in agronomy via discussion and oral and written communication.
Instructor: Taylor Johnston
- CSS 493 - Professional Internship in Crop and Soil Sciences
- Fall, Spring, Summer,
3 credits. Prerequisite: Completion of Tier I writing requirement.. Approval of department; application required. A student may earn a maximum of 6 credits in all enrollments for any or all of these courses: ABM 493, AEE 493, ANR 493, ANS 493, CMP 493, CSS 493, EEP 493, ESA 493, FIM 493, FSC 493, FW 493, HRT 493, PKG 493, PLP 493 and PRR 493. Supervised professional experiences in agencies and businesses related to crop and soil sciences and environmental soil sciences.
Instructors: Jim Crum and Taylor Johnston
- Fall, Spring, Summer,
3 credits. Prerequisite: Completion of Tier I writing requirement.. Approval of department; application required. A student may earn a maximum of 6 credits in all enrollments for any or all of these courses: ABM 493, AEE 493, ANR 493, ANS 493, CMP 493, CSS 493, EEP 493, ESA 493, FIM 493, FSC 493, FW 493, HRT 493, PKG 493, PLP 493 and PRR 493. Supervised professional experiences in agencies and businesses related to crop and soil sciences and environmental soil sciences.
Instructors: Jim Crum
- CSS 499 - Undergraduate Research
- Fall, Spring, Summer,
3 credits. Approval of department; application required. Faculty supervised research in a selected area of crop and soil sciences or environmental soil science. CSS 499 application form is available here.
Instructor: Alvin Smucker
- Fall, Spring, Summer,
3 credits. Approval of department; application required. Faculty supervised research in a selected area of crop and soil sciences or environmental soil science. CSS 499 application form is available here.
Instructor: Alvin Smucker
