SPSS Course Descriptions
SPSS 1060. The Great American Lawn: History, Culture, and Sustainability
Prerequisites: None.
3 credits. Every spring semester.
Instructor: Jason Henderson
Examination of the health, social, cultural, and environmental impacts of the largest irrigated crop in the U.S. Taught with SAPL 160. Satisfies CA 2, CA 3.
SPSS 1100. Turfgrass Management
Prerequisites: May not be taken out of sequence after passing SPSS 3150.
3 credits. Every fall semester.
Instructor: Cathryn Chapman
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.
SPSS 1115. Turfgrass Management Lab
Prerequisites: SPSS 1100, which may be taken concurrently.
1 credit. Every fall semester.
Instructor: Cathryn Chapman
Grass establishment, grass identification, athletic field turfgrass playability evaluations, soil testing, turfgrass pest identification, turfgrass pest monitoring techniques, and fertilizer spreader and sprayer calibration. Taught with SAPL 115.
SPSS 1120. Introduction to Plant Science
Prerequisites: None.
4 credits. Every fall semester.
Instructor: Jessica Lubell-Brand
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.
SPSS 1125. Insects, Food and Culture
Prerequisites: None.
3 credits. Fall semester on odd years.
Instructor: Ana Legrand
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. Satisfies CA 4-INT.
SPSS 1150. Agricultural Technology and Society
Prerequisites: None.
3 credits. Spring semester on even years.
Instructor: Gerald Berkowitz
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. Satisfies CA 3.
SPSS 1300. Introduction to Soil Science
Prerequisites: Not open to students who have passed SPSS 2120.
3 credits. Every fall semester.
Instructor: Jason Henderson
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.
SPSS 2100E. Environmental Sustainability of Food Production in Developed Countries
Prerequisites: None.
3 credits. Every fall semester.
Instructor: Huijie Gan
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. Taught with SAPL 101.
SPSS 2110W. Sustainable Plant Pest Management Communication
Prerequisites: ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011 or 2011; open only to Sustainable Plant and Soil Systems, others may request permission number.
1 credit. Every fall semester.
Instructor: Dawn Pettinelli
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.
SPSS 2120. Environmental Soil Science
Prerequisites: CHEM 1122 or CHEM 1124Q or CHEM 1127Q or CHEM 1137Q or CHEM 1147Q. May not be taken out of sequence after passing SPSS 3620.
3 credits. Every spring semester.
Instructor: Haiying Tao
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. Satisfies CA 3.
SPSS 2125. Soils Lab
Prerequisites: SPSS 2120, which may be taken concurrently.
1 credit. Every spring semester.
Instructor: Haiying Tao
Basic laboratory analysis of the physical and chemical properties of soil. Includes weekend field trips.
SPSS 2130. Introduction to the Horticulture of Cannabis
Prerequisites: Recommended preparation: SPSS 1120 or BIO 1110. Not open for credit to students who have passed SPSS 3995 when offered as “Horticulture of Cannabis” or “Horticulture of Cannabis: From Seed to Harvest.”
3 credits. Every fall semester.
Instructor: Matthew Debacco (Primary Professor), Gerald Berkowitz (Secondary Professor)
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.
SPSS 2210. Golf Course Management
Prerequisites: None.
3 credits. Every spring semester.
Instructor: Cathryn Chapman
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.
SPSS 2430. Herbaceous Ornamental Plants
Prerequisites: Not open for credit to graduate students.
3 credits. Every spring semester.
Instructor: Julia Kuzovkina
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.
SPSS 2500E. Principles and Concepts of Agroecology
Prerequisites: Recommended preparation: introductory course in plant biology, plant ecology, or environmental science. Not open for credit to students who have passed PSLA 3995 when offered as Agroecology.
3 credits. Every spring semester.
Instructor: Roy Davis
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.
SPSS 2520. Floral Art
Prerequisites: May not be taken out of sequence after passing SPSS 3530.
2 credits. Every spring semester.
Instructor: Justine Ramsey
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 compositions. Taught with SAPL 520.
SPSS 3081. Summer Internship Experience
Prerequisites: None.
Zero credits. Summer session.
Instructor: selected advisor/faculty
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).
SPSS 3150. Advanced Turfgrass Management
Prerequisites: SPSS 1100. Corequisite: SPSS 2120.
3 credits. Every spring semester.
Instructor: Jason Henderson
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. Taught with SAPL 315.
SPSS 3210. Molecular Laboratory Technology
Prerequisites: BIOL 1107 or 1108 or 1110 or equivalent.
3 credits. Fall semester on even years.
Instructor: Huanzhong Wang
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.
SPSS 3230 Biotechnology – Science, Impact, Perception, Ethics
Prerequisites: None.
3 credits. Fall semester on odd years.
Instructor: Huanzhong Wang
The goal of this course is to prepare students of all backgrounds to understand the basic scientific principles, methodologies, and applications used in modern biotechnology. This course will also encourage discussions related to the impact and public perception of biotechnology and consider ethical and otherwise controversial issues related to biotechnology.
SPSS 3245. Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
Prerequisites: One of BIOL 1102, 1108, or 1110; or MCB 2410; or SPSS (or PLSC) 3210, 3230, or 4210. Not open to students who have passed SPSS 3240.
3 credits. Spring semester on odd years.
Instructor: Yi Li
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.
SPSS 3255. Modern and Traditional Plant Breeding Techniques
Prerequisites: One of BIOL 1102, 1108, or 1110; or MCB 2410; or SPSS 3210 (PLSC 3210) , 3230 (PLSC 3230), 3245, or 4210 (PLSC 4210). Not open to students who have passed PLSC 3250.
3 credits. Spring semester on even years.
Instructor: Yi Li
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.
SPSS 3410. Woody Plants: Common Trees, Shrubs and Vines
Prerequisites: Recommended preparation: BIOL 1110
3 credits. Every fall semester.
Instructor: Mark Brand
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.
SPSS 3440. Small Fruit Production
Prerequisites: Not open for credit to graduate students.
3 credits. Every spring semester.
Instructor: Mary Concklin
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. Taught with SAPL 440.
SPSS 3540. Garden Center Management
Prerequisites: Not open for credit to graduate students.
3 credits. Every spring semester.
Instructor: Dustyn Nelson
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.
SPSS 3550. Urban Plant Systems Construction and Maintenance
Prerequisites: Recommended preparation: BIOL 1110; SPSS 2430, 3410.
3 credits. Every spring semester.
Instructor: Julia Kuzovkina
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. Taught with SAPL 550.
SPSS 3560. Indoor Plants and Interiorscaping
Prerequisites: None.
3 credits. Spring semester on odd years.
Instructor: Julia Kuzovkina
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.
SPSS 3610. Organic and Sustainable Vegetable Production
Prerequisites: Not open for credit to graduate students.
4 credits. Every fall semester.
Instructor: Gerald Berkowitz
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.
SPSS 3620. Soil Fertility
Prerequisites: SPSS 2120.
3 credits. Every fall semester.
Instructor: Haiying Tao
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.
SPSS 3640. Plant Propagation
Prerequisites: Not open for credit to graduate students.
3 credits. Every spring semester.
Instructor: Mark Brand
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.
SPSS 3660. Nursery Production
Prerequisites: None.
3 credits. Every spring semester.
Instructor: Jessica Lubell-Brand
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.
SPSS 3660W. Nursery Production
Prerequisites: ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 2011.
3 credits. Every spring semester.
Instructor: Jessica Lubell-Brand
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.
SPSS 3670. Greenhouse Technology and Operations
Prerequisites: SPSS 1120.
3 credits. Every spring semester.
Instructor: John Creedon
Introduction to greenhouse crop management with emphasis on structures, environmental control systems, and management techniques used to control crop response. Taught with SAPL 670.
SPSS 3675. Greenhouse Technology and Operations Laboratory
Prerequisites: SPSS 3670, which may be taken concurrently.
1 credit. Every spring semester.
Instructor: John Creedon
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. Taught with SAPL 675.
SPSS 3680. Advanced Cannabis Horticulture: Cannabis Production
Prerequisites: SPSS 2130 or instructor consent. Not open to students who have completed SPSS 3995 when offered as Advanced Cannabis Horticulture.
3 credits. Spring semester.
Instructor: Matthew Debacco
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.
SPSS 3810. Fundamentals of Plant Pathology
Prerequisites: BIOL 1108 or 1110; open to juniors or higher.
3 credits. Every fall semester.
Instructor: John Inguagiato
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.
SPSS 3820. Ecology and Control of Weeds
Prerequisites: BIOL 1108 or 1110; or SPSS 1120.
3 credits. Every fall semester.
Instructor: Brendan Noons
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.
SPSS 3830. Horticultural Entomology
Prerequisites: None.
3 credits. Fall semester on even years.
Instructor: Ana Legrand
Identification and management of insect 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.
SPSS 3840. Integrated Pest Management
Prerequisites: Not open for credit to graduate students.
3 credits. Every spring semester.
Instructor: Ana Legrand
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.
SPSS 3990. Field Study Internship
Prerequisites: Open to juniors and seniors who have demonstrated professional potential as identified by their advisor.
1-6 credits, may be repeated for a total of 6 credits. Fall/Spring semesters.
Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
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.
SPSS 3995. Special Topics
Prerequisites: None.
1-6 credits, may be repeated for credit.
Topics and credits to be published prior to the registration period preceding the semester offerings.
SPSS 3999. Independent Study
Prerequisites: None.
1-6 credits, may be repeated for credit.
Students are expected to submit written reports.
SPSS 4210. Plant Physiology: How Plants Work
Prerequisites: BIOL 1108 or 1110; CHEM 1122 or 1124Q or 1127Q or 1137Q or 1147Q; open to juniors or higher.
3 credits. Every spring semester.
Instructor: Huanzhong Wang
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.
SPSS 4994. Seminar
Prerequisites: None
1 credit, may be repeated for credit.
Professional presentations of current topics in Plant Science.
Page last edited: 4/5/2023