SPSS Course Spotlight

Fall 2024 Course Spotlights:

SAPL 110 | SPSS 1100…………Turfgrass Management

  • 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.
  • 3 credits
  • Prerequisites: May not be taken out of sequence after passing SPSS 3150.
  • Taught by Cathryn Chapman
  • TTh 11am-12:15pm

    SAPL 115 | SPSS 1115…………Turfgrass Management Lab

    • Grass establishment, grass identification, athletic field turfgrass playability evaluations, soil testing, turfgrass pest identification, turfgrass pest monitoring techniques, and fertilizer spreader and sprayer calibration.
    • 1 credit
    • Prerequisites: SPSS 1100, which may be taken concurrently.
    • Taught by Cathryn Chapman
    • W 2:30-4:25pm

    SAPL 120 | SPSS 1120……….Introduction to Plant Science

    • 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.
    • 4 credits
    • Prerequisites: None.
    • Taught by Jessica Lubell-Brand
    • MWF 10:10-11am (lecture) and M 1:25-3:20pm or M 3:35-5:30pm (lab)

    SAPL 300 | SPSS 1300...............Introduction to Soil Science

    • 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.
    • 3 credits
    • Prerequisites: Not open to students who have passed SPSS 2120
    • Taught by Jason Henderson
    • TTh 9:30-10:20am (lecture) and Th 12:30-3:15pm (lab)

    SAPL 101 | SPSS 2100E..............Environmental Sustainability of Food Production in Developed Countries

    • 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.
    • 3 credits
    • Prerequisites: None.
    • Taught by Roy Davis
    • TTh 3:30-4:45pm

    SAPL 130 | SPSS 2130…………Introduction to the Horticulture of Cannabis

    • 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.
    • 3 credits
    • 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."
    • Taught by Matthew DeBacco, Gerald Berkowitz
    • TTh 3:30-4:45pm

    SAPL 620 | SPSS 3610…………Organic and Sustainable Vegetable Production

    • 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.
    • 4 credits
    • Prerequisites: Not open for credit to graduate students.
    • Taught by Gerald Berkowitz
    • MWF 11:15am-12:05pm (lecture) and F 1:25-3:20pm (lab)

    SPSS 3810………......................Fundamentals of Plant Pathology

    • 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.
    • 3 credits
    • Prerequisites: BIOL 1108 or 1110; open to juniors or higher.
    • Taught by John Inguagiato
    • MW 10:10-11am (lecture) and W 2:30-4:25pm (lab)

    Additional courses being offered in Fall 2024:

    SPSS 2110W Sustainable Plant Pest Communication – Dawn Pettinelli

    SPSS 3210 | PLSC 5210 Molecular Laboratory Technology – Huanzhong Wang

    SPSS 3410 | SAPL 410 Woody Plants: Common Trees, Shrubs and Vines – Mark Brand

    SPSS 3620 | PLSC 5620 Soil Fertility – Haiying Tao

    SPSS 3820 | PLSC 5820 Ecology and Control of Weeds – Cathryn Chapman

    SPSS 3830 Horticultural Entomology – Ana Legrand