Classes in the crop and soil sciences major
CSES 1010 – Soils and Life
Designed for non-majors and fulfills the AU Science Core requirement. This course explores the practical roles of soil in everyday life, emphasizing its connection to human well-being. Topics include food security, sustainable agriculture, soil and water quality, and waste management. Students gain insight into how soil systems support life and influence global challenges.
CSES 1020 – Crops and Life
Intended for non-majors and satisfies the AU Science Core. This course highlights the essential role of crop plants in human civilization. Topics include the historical development of crop science, its impact on societal advancement, and current challenges facing modern crop production and technology.
CSES 2000 – Basic Crop Science
Introduces agronomic principles related to crop classification, growth, structure, and soil-plant interactions. Emphasis is placed on environmental and human influences on crop development and the significance of crop production in agricultural systems.
CSES 2040 – Basic Soil Science
Covers the formation, classification, properties, and management of soils, with a focus on soil fertility and conservation. Students learn how soil characteristics affect plant growth and agricultural productivity.
CSES 3120 – Principles of Weed Science
Examines weed biology, identification, and management strategies. Students explore herbicide classification and application techniques. Laboratory sessions focus on weed identification and sprayer calibration for effective control.
CSES 3150 – Turfgrass Management
Focuses on the establishment and maintenance of turfgrass in recreational and residential settings. Topics include the effects of light, traffic, soil fertility, and water on turf growth, with practical approaches to turf management.
CSES 3300 – Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement
Explores Mendelian, population, and molecular genetics as they apply to crop plants. Students study inheritance patterns, plant transformation, and breeding techniques such as pedigree selection, recurrent selection, backcrossing, and marker-assisted selection. Emphasis is placed on improving crop traits through genetic principles and environmental interactions.
CSES 5020 – Nutrient Management
Required for Crop and Soils majors. This course uses lectures and problem-solving exercises to illustrate nutrient management principles in relation to soils, plants, fertilizers, cropping systems, and environmental stewardship.
CSES 5060 – Soil Microbiology
Focuses on ecology, physiology, and biochemistry of microorganisms in terrestrial ecosystems. Topics include components of soil biota, methods for studying soil microorganisms, the carbon cycle, the nitrogen cycle, and biodegradation of organic contaminants.
CSES 5230 – Drones for Crop Production
Introduces drone technology applications in agriculture, including pesticide and fertilizer delivery, cover crop planting, and remote sensing for crop health monitoring. Students learn to integrate drone data into precision crop management decisions.
CSES 5240 – Crop Physiology
Integrates plant physiology, biochemistry, ecology, and genetics to explain crop growth and yield. Students examine how management practices and abiotic stressors affect plant development, with a focus on optimizing crop performance.
CSES 5500 – Forage Production and Utilization
Covers grass and legume forage crops used for pasture, hay, silage, and soil improvement. Students explore the agronomic and ecological roles of forage systems in livestock production and land management.
