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Syllabus, turfgrass culturem.gif (807 bytes)

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Time:Tuesdays, 5:00 - 9:00 p.m., room 204b (or else 130) (Calendar below)

Objectives:To learn the biology and management of turfgrasses, a part of the ecosystem.

To strengthen a foundation in biology and plant sciences.

To address turfgrass problems from diverse experiences and media, e.g., the practical and the scientific, the environmental and the market-based, the naturalist and the cybernetic.

Prerequisites:Introductory Botany (BOT 2010C) or Introductory Biology (BSC 2010C);and Introductory General Chemistry (CHM 2040).

Text:Emmons, Robert D. 1995. Turfgrass science and management. 2nd ed. Delmar Publishers, Albany, NY. ISBN 0-8273-6598-5.Available for $61.70 from Broward Community College, Central Campus, bookstore, Building #18; 954-475-6830; hours 7:45 a.m.-8:45, Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday.

Recommended:Other books and readings will be available in the library and/or provided to students.

Other supplies: Students will maintain a journal, e.g., an inexpensive sewn notebook, of turfgrass observations. Observations may include notes in the community outside of class, from talking to neighbors, visiting garden stores, reading the newspapers, and laboratory notes. Entries must be dated. The notebook will be turned in for grading near the end of the course.

Instructor: Dr. Philip (call me "Phil") Busey. Office: 141 Forman Building. Phone: 954-475-8990. If I do not answer, leave a message. Better yet, contact me by e-mail turf@ufl.edu

Consultations: By appointment (preferably) and drop-in (if I am available). Available usually Tuesday, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., for short visits, other times by appointment.

Suggestions:You are encouraged to attend all classes and read the textbook ahead of the lectures. There will be at least one all-day field trip.

Grading:The course grade will be determined from a combination of class participation, notebook, assignments, possible quizzes (depending on the class preference), a term paper, three 1-hour exams, plus a final exam. Grading: A=90%+; B+=85-89.9%; B=80-84.9; C+=75-79.9%; C=70-74.9; D+=65-69.9; D=60-64.9%; E=less than 60%.

Academic honesty:As a result of completing registration, every student has also previously signed the following statement: "I understand that the University of Florida expects its students to be honest in all their academic work. I agree to adhere to this commitment to academic honesty and understand that my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the University."

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Calendar

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Session Date Lecture topics planned Chapters to read in Emmons Laboratory and other special activities (planned or actual) Exams and deadlines
1 26 Aug 97m.gif (49 bytes) Introductions, grasses and people, the Web Plant growth regulator experiment
2 02 Sep 97 Conversions, grass identification, the Web The grass spikelet and inflorescence; identification Summary of scientifiic paper by Krans
3 09 Sep 97 Grasses, growth, development, establishment 23, 2-4 Grass identification; fertilizer calibration Term paper title due
4 16 Sep 97 Shade, photosynthesis, evapotranspiration 12, 9 Irrigation; reevaluate plant growth regulator experiment Soil sample turned in; summary of scientific paper by Kneebone
5 23 Sep 97 Soils and fertilization 1, 5-8, 10 Evaluate fertilizer experiment Hour test #1
6 30 Sep 97 All day field trip to sod farm, golf course, and other turf installation(s), Palm Beach County
7 07 Oct 97 Discussion of exam, conversions, soil physicals (particle size, drainage) 11, 18, 19 Set up cool season grass germination experiment
8 14 Oct 97 Soil chemistry 20-22 Evaluate results from cool season grass experiment Summary of scientific paper by Snyder
9 21 Oct 97 Biota: weeds, nematodes, insects 15, 16 Fertilizer and spray calibration, field and laboratory activities (assignment #6) Weed ID samples
10 28 Oct 97 Biota: weeds, microbial diseases, biocontrol, and IPM 14, 17 Guest lecturer: Dr. Monica Elliott, "Turfgrass diseases" weed identification; set up chinch bug experiment Assignment #6, fertilizer and spray calibration, due
11 04 Nov 97 Pesticides, energy conservation, and environmental safety 13 Guest lecturer: Ms. Erica Santella, TruGreen-Chemlawn, "Environmental Safety in the Turf Industry" evaluate chinch bug experiment Hour test #2
NO CLASS 11 Nov 97

Veterans' Day - NO CLASS

12 18 Nov 97 What is science and technology? Guest lecturer: Dr. Max Brown, Liquid Ag Systems, "Basic concepts of liquid fertilizers" Summary of scientifiic paper by Busey
13 25 Nov 97 Student oral presentations Guest lecturer, Dr. Robin Giblin-Davis, "Nematodes of turfgrass" Term papers due
14 02 Dec 97 Review for final Hour test #3
15 09 Dec 97

********** Final Exam *********

05 November 1997