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Courses
The following is a listing of nutrient management related courses that are offered through different departments within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. CSS classes are listed as CSS (Crop and Soil Sciences) here and in the University's Courses of Study book, but are listed as SCAS (Soil, Crop and Atmospheric Sciences) in the Course Roster. Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS) classes are also listed as SCAS in the Course Roster. See the Cornell Course Roster for locations of classes. CSS 695: Planning and Reporting Research Spring. 2 credits. First meeting the first T of the semester in 102 Bradfield. G.W. Fick. New graduate students and students starting to write their theses have found this course very helpful. Topics covered include scientific writing, reviewing, seminar presentations, and poster presentations. The nature of science and the scientific method are also discussed along with professional ethics in the conduct and communication of science.
CSS 696: Seminar in Crop and Soil Sciences Fall and spring. 1 credit. S-U grades only. Lec, T 3:30-4:30. Staff. Current research and selected topics in the crop and soil sciences and related fields. Spring. 4 credits. Prerequisites: introductory course in crop and/or soil science. Recommended: course in animal nutrition. Lecs, M W F 11:15; lab, T or W 1:25-4:25. G.W. Fick. The production and management of crops used for livestock feed are considered in terms of establishment, growth, maintenance, harvesting, and preservation. Forage grasses, forage legumes, and corn are emphasized, and consideration is given to their value as livestock feed in terms of energy, protein, and other nutritional components.
CSS 314: Tropical Cropping Systems: Biodiversity, Social and Environmental Impacts (also INTAG 314) Fall. 3 credits. Prerequisite: an introductory course in crop science or soil science or biology or permission of instructor. Lec, T R 8:40-9:55. E.C. Fernandes. Characterization and discussion of traditional shifting cultivation, lowland rice-based systems, upland cereal-based systems, smallholder mixed farming including root crops and livestock, plantation fruit and oil crop systems, and agroforestry. In addition to species diversity and domestication, factors such as climate, land quality, soil management, land tenure, labor, and markets are considered. The impact of tropical cropping systems on the environment are evaluated.
Fall. 4 credits. Prerequisite: introductory course in biology or botany. Lecs, T R 10:10-11:25; lab, T or W 2-4:25. A. DiTommaso. Principles of weed science are examined. Emphasis is on (a) weed biology and ecology, (b) chemistry of herbicides in relation to effects on plant growth and the environment, and (c) current management strategies that are relevant to both crop and noncrop ecosystems. Hands-on laboratory sessions cover weed identification and ecology, and herbicide selectivity and symptomology. CSS 415: Principles and Practices of Agroforestry (also NTRES 415 and HORT 415) Fall. 3 credits. Prerequisites: senior or graduate standing or permission of instructor. S-U option. Lecs, M W F 10:10-11:00. Optional laboratory, CSS [SCAS] 416 (also NTRES 416 and HORT 416). J. Lassoie, E. Fernandes, K. Mudge, L. Buck. An introduction to modern and traditional agroforestry systems which involves spatial or temporal integration of multipurpose woody plants (trees and/or shrubs) with annual or perennial crops and/or with livestock. Interactions between woody and nonwoody components of agroforestry systems are considered, based on above and below ground processes. The sustainability of agroforestry systems will be critically examined from biophysical, socio-economic, and policy perspectives. [CSS 455: Mineral Nutrition of Crops and Landscape Plants (also HORT 455) Spring. 3-5 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 260 and BIOPL 242, or equivalent. Lecs, M W F 9:05; lab, R 1:30-4:00. Not offered spring 2001. Next offered spring 2002. H.C. Wien and staff. A modular course on principles of plant mineral nutrition and nutrient management. A mandatory module on principles is followed by others on agronomic crops, vegetables, floriculture, and fruit crops. Each module carries one credit; a minimum of three credits must be taken in one semester. By the end of the course, students should understand the principles of mineral nutrient function in crop plants, should be able to diagnose deficiencies by symptoms and tissue tests, and devise organic and conventional nutrient management schemes that maximize productivity and mineral nutrient quality.]
CSS 608: Water Status in Plants and Soils Fall. 1 credit. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. S-U grades only. Lec, 1 hour TBA; lab, first class meeting R 1:25-4:25. Offered alternate years. T.L. Setter. Techniques for field appraisal of the status of water in plants and soil, including methods used in physiological studies, such as the psychrometer, pressure chamber, gas exchange analyzer, and abscisic acid analysis with ELISA.
[CSS 610: Physiology of Environmental Stresses Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisite: BIOPL 242 or 341. Lecs, T R 10:10-11:25. Offered alternate years. Next offered spring 2002. P.L. Steponkus. A study of the responses of plants to environmental stresses, with emphasis on thermal stresses including chilling, freezing, and high temperature injury. Emphasis is on the physiological and biochemical basis of injury and plant resistance mechanisms at the whole-plant, cellular, and molecular levels.] CSS 613: Physiology and Ecology of Yield Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisite: plant physiology. Lecs, M W F 12:20. T.L. Setter. A study of environmental constraints on crop-plant productivity from a physiological perspective. Acclimation responses and genetic adaptation are examined for temperature, light, water, compacted soil, and mineral nutrient environments. Topics include photosynthesis and nitrogen assimilation, translocation and partitioning; canopy-scale influences on solar radiation use efficiency; regulation of growth processes in leaf, root and floral sinks in response to environment; seed set; water transport and stomatal regulation; root growth in flooded and compacted soils; and drought responses. Emphasis on growth processes of vegetative plant organs.
CSS 614: Weed Ecology and Management Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 315 or equivalent. Lecs, T R 10:10-11:25. Offered alternate years. Offered spring 2001. A. DiTommaso. An examination of plant ecological principles governing weed population dynamics and weed-crop competitive interactions in different crop and noncrop ecosystems. Application of these fundamentals for the development and implementation of environmentally sound and sustainable integrated weed management strategies is explored. Topics include seed biology and seedbank dynamics, weed demography and spatial variation, weed-crop interferences, bio-economic weed thresholds, and site-specific weed management.
CSS 642: Plant Mineral Nutrition (also BIO PL 642) Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisite: BIO PL 341 or equivalent. Lecs, M W F 10:10-11. Offered alternate years. Offered spring 2001. L.V. Kochian, R.M. Welch. A detailed study of the processes by which plants acquire and utilize mineral nutrients from the soil. Topics will include the uptake, translocation, and compartmentation of mineral elements; root-soil interactions; metabolism of mineral elements; the involvement of mineral nutrients in various physiological processes; and nutrition of plants adapted to extreme environmental stresses (e.g., acid soils). Specific mineral elements will be emphasized to illustrate the above topics.
CSS 691: Special Topics in Crop Science Fall or spring. 1-6 credits. S-U grades optional. Hours TBA. Staff. Study of topics in crop science that are more specialized or different from other courses. Special topics to be offered will depend on staff and student interests. CSS 398: Environmental Microbiology Fall. 3 credits. Prerequisite: BIOES 261 or BIOMI 290 or CSS (SCAS) 260 or permission of instructor. Lecs, M W F 10:10. W.C. Ghiorse. The biology, behavior, and function of microorganisms in natural environments are discussed in relation to past and present environmental conditions on Earth. The role of microorganisms in ecologically and environmentally significant processes is also considered through discussion of specific topics such as elemental cycles, nutrient cycling, transformation of pollutant chemicals, wastewater treatment, and environmental biotechnology.
CSS 411: Resource Inventory Methods (also CEE 411) Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Lecs, M W 9:05-9:55; lab, M R 1:25-4:25. S.D. DeGloria. A survey of resource inventory methods applied to field-based studies of environmental systems. Laboratory emphasis is on using maps, spatial databases, global positioning systems, and aerospace imagery to discriminate, measure, inventory, and monitor environmental resources.
CSS 420: Geographic Information Systems Fall. 4 credits. Prerequisite: CSS (SCAS) 411 or permission of instructor. Lecs, T R 9:05-9:55; lab, T 10:10-1:10, M W R F 1:25-4:25. S.D. DeGloria. Principles and applications of geographic information systems for the characterization and assessment of agronomic and environmental resources. Methods for accessing, updating, analyzing, and mapping spatial data and information are emphasized. Needs assessment, coordinate systems, database design and maintenance, data transformations, and map accuracy assessment are considered.
CSS 465: Global Positioning Systems Fall and spring. 1 credit. Prerequisite: CSS 411 or CSS 420, or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Lec, F 9:05-12:05. S.D. DeGloria. Introduction to navigation-grade GPS instruments used in agricultural and environmental science. Topics include instrument familiarization; field-data collection and processing; real-time and post-differential correction; and GPS-GIS integration.
CSS 620: Spatial Modeling and Analysis Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisites: CSS (SCAS) 420, CSS (SCAS) 461, or permission of instructor. Lecs, T R 9:05-9:55; lab, T W 1:25-4:25. S.D. DeGloria. Theory and practice in the development, integration, and visualization of spatial data for resource inventory, environmental process modeling, land classification and evaluation. Application and evaluation of advanced spatial analytical methods applied to environmental systems and databases of interest to the student are emphasized.
CSS 660: Remote Sensing Fundamentals (also CEE 610) Fall. 3 credits. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Lecs, M W 12:20-1:10; lab, T 2:30-4:25. W.D. Philpot. An introduction to equipment and methods used in obtaining information about earth resources and the environment from aircraft or satellite. Coverage includes sensors, sensor and ground-data acquisition, data analysis and interpretation, and project design.
[CSS 675: Modeling the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere System (also EAS 675) Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CSS (SCAS) 483 or equivalent. Offered alternate years. Not offered spring 2001. Lecs, T R 8:40-9:55. S.J. Riha. Introduction to the structure and use of soil-plant-atmosphere models. Topics covered will include modeling plant physiology, morphology, and development; potential crop production and crop production limited by moisture and nutrient availability; plant-plant competition; and land surface processes as well as model data requirements, validation and scale. Use of soil-plant-atmosphere models for teaching, research, extension, and policy formation will be discussed.]
CSS 694: Special Topics in Environmental Information Science Fall or spring. 1-6 credits. S-U grades optional. Hours TBA. Staff. Study of topics in environmental science that are more specialized or different from other courses. Special topics to be covered will depend on staff and student interests.
CSS 260: Soil Science (also EAS 260) Fall. 4 credits. S-U grades optional. Lecs, M W F 9:05; lab, M T W or R 1:25. S. Riha. Designed for students interested in a comprehensive introduction to soil science from both an environmental and plant management perspective, this course is divided into three units. A unit on soil information introduces students to soil characterization, testing, mapping, classification, GIS, and land evaluation. A soil management unit addresses fertility, pest management, water, and microclimate, as well as erosion, conservation, pollution, and soil health. The unit on the role of soils in ecosystems considers topics such as biodiversity, soils as sinks and sources of greenhouse gases, and the impact of soils on land use. Labs will initially be field-oriented with an emphasis on learning practical skills needed to evaluate and manage soils. Subsequent labs will focus on accessing, interpreting, and applying soil information.
[CSS 321: Soil and Water Management Fall. 4 credits. Prerequisites: CSS (SCAS) 260. S-U grades optional. Lecs, T R 10:10-11:25; lab, R 2:30-4:30. Offered alternate years. Next offered fall 2001. H.M. van Es. Course introduces students to the principles of soil and water interaction and to the effects of human intervention on these processes. Aspects of soil and water management, including hydrology, soil erosion and conservation, water management, contaminant movement, tillage, soil compaction and water quality are examined. Case studies and policy approaches from both the United States and abroad are discussed.]
Fall. 1 credit. Undergraduates only. Recommended for sophomores and juniors. R 1:25-4:25; all day field trip required. R.B. Bryant. The principles for field identification of soil properties, profiles, and landscapes are presented. A series of soil pits are examined, described, classified, and interpreted in the field.
CSS 363: Soil Genesis, Classification, and Survey Fall. 4 credits. Prerequisite: CSS (SCAS) 260. Lecs, M W F 11:15; lab, W 1:25-4:25. 1 all day field trip is required. R.B. Bryant. Factors and processes of soil formation on which soil survey is based are discussed. Principles of field identification, classification, survey, and interpretation are practiced in a field setting. An overview of soil databases, their content, development, and use for site evaluation and land classification is provided.
CSS 365: Environmental Chemistry: Soil, Air, and Water Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisites: CHEM 207-208. Lecs, M W F 10:10-11:00. M.B. McBride. An overview of the chemical processes that control the concentrations and bioavailability of nutrients and pollutants in soil, air, and water. Particular attention is given to soil's function as a filter for contaminants. The history of environmental contamination and its impact on agricultural soils and ecosystems is described.
Spring. 3 or 4 credits. Lecture only, 3 credits; lecture plus lab, 4 credits; lab cannot be taken without lecture. Prerequisite: BIOES 261 or BIOMI 290, or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Lecs, T R 10:10-11:25; lab, W 1:25-4:25. J.E. Thies. Activities of the soil biota are crucial for the continued functioning and renewal of soil ecosystems. Through study of the soil as an ecosystem, students will gain an understanding of the diversity of soil organisms and the critical roles that microbial activities and interactions have in agricultural production and environmental protection. Through a small research project, students will also gain competencies in developing research questions and formulating hypotheses, planning appropriate methods for gathering and interpreting data, and summarizing research work.
CSS 371: Hydrology and the Environment (also ABEN 371 and GEOL 204) Spring. 3 credits. Students enrolled in the statutory colleges must enroll in ABEN 371 or CSS (SCAS) 371. Prerequisite: 1 course in calculus. Lecs, T R 9:05; lab, F 1:25-3:20. T.S. Steenhuis, L.M. Cathles, P.C. Baveye. Introduction to hydrology as a description of the hydrologic cycle and the role of water and chemicals in the natural environment. Includes precipitation, infiltration, evapotranspiration, groundwater, surface runoff, river meandering floods, and droughts. Case studies, short field trips, computer programs, and laboratories are used to foster an understanding of concepts and principles of hydrologic processes.
CSS 372: Soil Fertility Management Spring. 4 credits. Prerequisite: CSS (SCAS) 260 or permission of instructor. Lecs, T R 8:40-9:55; lab, R 1:25-4:25. J. Lehmann. You will become familiar with the basic concepts of soil fertility, and how soil properties affect nutrient availability. We will also discuss in which way organic farming and soil conservation enhance soil fertility. An important issue will be the way soil fertility can be improved without creating environmental hazards. Apart from expanding your knowledge in discussion groups and through oral as well as poster presentations, you will have hands-on training in analytical procedures.
[CSS 471: Properties and Appraisal of Soils of the Tropics Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CSS (SCAS) 260 or equivalent. S-U grades optional. No audits accepted. Offered alternate years. Next offered spring 2002. Lecs, T R 12:20; disc, W 1:25-3:25. A. VanWambeke. The course examines the conditions in which soils form, and considers ecological, geological, and vegetational factors that produce the diversity that exists among them. The major kinds of soils are recognized, their management properties described, and methods to alleviate the constraints to crop production and the preservation of the environment examined. Topics include the indentification of soils, and their functions in sustaining traditional farming systems and advanced technological packages. The course pursues these themes reviewing the most recent sources of information generated in tropical countries and published in Latin-American, French, and English journals. The last part of the course gives special attention to salt-affected soils, paddy rice cultivation, and the characteristics of acid-sulfate soils. Lectures include slides of soils, landscapes, and cropping systems.]
[CSS 473: Ecology of Agricultural Systems (also BIOES 473) Fall. 3 credits. Limited to 45 students. Prerequisite: BIOES 261 or permission of instructor. S-U grades optional. Lec and disc, T R 2:30-3:45. During the first 6 weeks of class, the Thursday meetings may run to 5:30 because of field trips. Next offered fall 2002. A.G. Power and E.C. Fernandes. Analysis of the ecological processes operating in agricultural systems, with an emphasis on the interactions between organisms. Topics include nutrient dynamics in agroecosystems, plant competition and facilitation, intercropping, the ecology of species invasions, mutualism in agroecosystems, plant-herbivore relations, plant-pathogen interactions, biological pest control, and evolutionary processes in agriculture. Case studies from both the tropics and the temperate zone are used to illustrate important concepts.]
CSS 483: Environmental Biophysics (also EAS 483) Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CSS (SCAS) 260 or equivalent or permission of instructor. Lecs, M W F 11:15. S.J. Riha. Introduction to basic principles of energy and mass transfer and storage in soil-plant systems. Energy budgets, soil heat flow, water movement in saturated and unsaturated soils, evapotranspiration, water, gas, and nutrient dynamics in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum will be covered. Applications to agronomic and environmental problems and instrument design and use are considered through discussion and problem sets.
Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CSS (SCAS) 361 or permission of instructor. Lecs, M W F 12:20. Offered even spring semesters. Next offered spring 2002. R.B. Bryant. Weathering, reactions, and processes of soil genesis. Principles of soil classification and the rationale and utilization of soil taxonomy. Development and significance of major groups of soils of the world.]
[CSS 666: Plant/Microbe Interactions Fall. 3 or 4 credits. Prerequisite: CSS 366 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Lecs, T R 10:10-11:25; lab, F 1:25-4:25. Offered alternate years. Next offered fall 2001. J.E. Thies. Discussions on current research into plant/microbe interactions including: molecular signalling between plants and microbes involved in symbiotic, associative, or pathogenic interactions; and new methodologies for understanding the role(s) soil microorganisms play in plant production. Students participating in the optional lab section (for a total of 4 credits) will undertake an independent inquiry into a topic of personal interest, the results of which will be presented in a final seminar.]
[CSS 667: Advanced Soil Physics Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisites: one year of college physics and CSS 483 or permission of instructor. S-U grades optional. Hours TBA. Offered alternate years. Next offered spring 2002. P.C. Baveye. A detailed study of measurement processes and of the hydrostatics of aqueous solutions in soils and porous media, with emphasis on fundamental principles. Examination of the molecular aspects of water-solid interactions, including shrink-swell phenomena and the properties of absorbed water. Analysis of equilibrium water adsorption from thermodynamical and mechanistic (molecular) standpoints. Mechanical and thermodynamical analysis of the equilibrium status of aqueous solutions in deformable soils. Formal lectures are complemented by tutorial sessions.]
CSS 669: Organic Matter--Soils, Sediments, and Waters Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisites: CSS (SCAS) 260 and CHEM 357-358 or equivalent. T R 11:15-12:30. J.M. Duxbury. A discussion of current concepts on the chemical nature, dynamics, and properties of natural organics and organo-mineral associations in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Interaction with anthropogenic organics and effects of anthropogenic activities on natural organics are considered.
Fall. 3 credits. Prerequisite: one year of physical chemistry or permission of instructor. Offered alternate years. Next offered fall 2001. Lecs, M W F 10:10. M.B. McBride. A detailed examination of the structure and surface chemistry of colloidal particles common to soils. Ion exchange, mineral-solution equilibria, and adsorption reactions of silicate clays, oxides, and organic matter will be emphasized. The behavior of environmental contaminants in soils, particularly metals and toxic organics, will be described.]
CSS 693: Special Topics in Soil Science Fall or spring. 1-6 credits. S-U grades optional. Study of topics in soil science that are more specialized or different from other courses. Special topics to be covered will depend on staff and student interests.
CSS 880: Master's-Level Thesis Research in Soil Science Fall or spring. Credit by arrangement. S-U grades only. Hours by arrangement. Graduate faculty. Limited to students specifically in a master's program.
CSS 980: Graduate-Level Dissertation Research in Soil Science Fall or spring. Credit by arrangement. S-U grades only. Hours by arrangement. Graduate faculty. Limited to students in a Ph.D. program only before the "A" exam has been passed.
CSS 981: Doctoral-Level Dissertation Research in Soil Science Fall or spring. Credit by arrangement. S-U grades only. Hours by arrangement. Graduate faculty. Limited to students admitted to candidacy after the "A" exam has been passed.
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