IX. Graduate Programs
Plant Agriculture
Courses
Plant Genetics and Breeding
| PLNT*6100 Advanced Crop Breeding F [0.25] |
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| The practical application of genetic theory and biological limitations to improving plant populations as germplasm and for cultivar development will be presented and discussed. Sources of variation, selection methods, genotype evaluation and cultivar multiplication will be addressed in lectures and discussions. |
| PLNT*6120 Protein and Oilseed Crop Breeding F [0.25] | |
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| This course will address both theoretical and practical aspects of protein and oilseed crop breeding. Current and emerging breeding methodologies to achieve major agronomic and compositional goals will be examined from the perspective of theoretical, technical and financial efficiencies. | |
| External Course Code(s): | Offered in odd years |
| PLNT*6130 Corn Breeding W [0.25] | |
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| Principles of corn breeding with emphasis on germplasm enhancement and methods of improving breeding populations as sources of inbred lines for hybrid programs and for direct use as improved varieties. | |
| External Course Code(s): | Offered in even years |
| PLNT*6150 Plant Breeding -The Profession W [0.25] | |
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| The course will address professional aspects of plant breeding including: legal/regulatory issues, ethical issues related to germplasm, and rights and responsibilities related to intellectual property under UPOV and World Patent Organization conventions. | |
| External Course Code(s): | Offered in odd years |
| PLNT*6160 Quantitative Genetic Variation in Crop Populations W [0.25] | |
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| Fundamentals of quantitative genetics. Topics will include gene and genotype frequencies, forces affecting equilibrium, small population size, inbreeding, means, variances, covariances and resemblance among relatives. Lecture topics will be expanded through discussion of classic and current papers. | |
| External Course Code(s): | Offered in even years |
| PLNT*6250 Colloquium in Genetics, Biotechnology and Plant Breeding F,W [0.25] |
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| An open discussion course designed to review and critically analyse contemporary issues in plant genetics, biotechnology and breeding. |
| PLNT*6260 Advanced Crop Genetics W [0.50] |
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| A lecture and discussion course on some of the recent advances in genetics as they pertain to crop improvement. Topics will include: the molecular basis of selected agronomic traits, molecular marker assisted selection, isolation of plant genes and plant transformation systems. |
| PLNT*6500 Applied Bioinformatics W [0.50] | |
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| The goal of this course is to provide an introductory understanding of the databases and methods used in computational molecular biology research. Topics covered will include: reviewing major molecular databases and their structures, constructing sequence alignments, constructing phylogenics, and finding motifs and genes in biological sequences. Lab sessions will include an introduction to Unix and Perl for the biologist and hands-on use of several molecular data analysis programs. | |
| Prerequisite(s): | Undergraduate level statistics class (such as STAT*2040 or STAT*2100) and undergraduate level molecular biology class (such as MBG*2020). |
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
| PLNT*6010 Physiology of Crop Yield W [0.50] | |
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| Physiological and environmental principles as they relate to the growth of crop plants and communities. Plant and environmental characteristics determining transpiration, photosynthesis, leaf growth and reproductive growth and development. Simulation of plant growth. | |
| External Course Code(s): | Offered in even years. |
| PLNT*6110 Postharvest Physiology W [0.50] | |
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| Discussion of the physiological effects of controlled and supplemental environments or treatments on horticultural crops. Emphasis is on current problems and research. | |
| External Course Code(s): | Offered in odd years. |
| PLNT*6220 Advanced Studies in Pomology W [0.50] | |
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| Discussion of current problems and research on fruit crop production and physiology. | |
| External Course Code(s): | Offered in even years |
| PLNT*6290 Physiological Genetics of Higher Plants F [0.50] | |
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| A lecture and discussion course examining classical and molecular genetic investigations for understanding the genetic basis and regulation of physiological processes in plants. | |
| External Course Code(s): | Offered in odd years. |
| PLNT*6490 Colloquium in Physiology of Ornamental Crops F [0.25] | |
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| Current topics in the area of floriculture, turfgrass, and woody plant physiology. | |
| External Course Code(s): | Offered in even years. |
Crop Production Systems
| PLNT*6230 Colloquium in Crop Physiology and Management F,W [0.25] |
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| An open discussion and/or workshop course designed to review and critically analyze contemporary issues in crop physiology and management. |
| PLNT*6240 Colloquium on Weed Management in Agrosystems W [0.25] | |
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| An open discussion course designed to review and critically analyze contemporary issues in plant ecology and their relevance to practical weed management systems. | |
| External Course Code(s): | Offered in odd years |
General
| PLNT*6050 Principles and Application of Plant Tissue Culture F [0.50] | |
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| The course involves lecture and discussions of fundamental and applied aspects of plant tissue culture. Topics will include the role of tissue culture in understanding plant development, physiology and genetics, and its commercial applications in horticulture and forestry. | |
| External Course Code(s): | Offered in odd years. |
| PLNT*6170 Statistics in Plant Agriculture W [0.50] |
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| The application of statistical techniques to research in plant agriculture. SAS will be the software used to perform data analysis. Emphasis will be placed on statistical principles, the design of experiments, the testing of hypotheses, and communication of findings to other scientists. |
| PLNT*6400 Seminar F,W [0.25] |
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| All graduate students present a departmental seminar on their research proposal no later than the second semester. Each student is expected to participate in the seminars of colleagues and faculty. |
| PLNT*6450 Plant Agriculture International Field Tour U [0.25] | |
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| A field course designed to increase student's knowledge of primary field and animal agricultural production systems. To explore the environmental and political issues related to international agriculture and to understand the role of agri-business in the rural economy. | |
| Restriction(s): | CROP*4260 if PLNT*6450 is field tour to mid-west USA |