College of Agriculture and Life SciencesCrop and Soil Environmental Sciences
OverviewThis broad discipline deals with crop production, utilization of soils, and stewardship of the environment. It is concerned with feeding the world, protecting the environment, and producing quality turfgrass. Graduates include professionals who monitor and work to improve water quality, who serve as agricultural loan officers for banks, who develop environmentally acceptable methods for protecting crops from pests, who advise municipalities on use of the land resource, and who maintain the greens and fairways at golf courses. Graduates' familiarity with fundamentals of soil, plant, and environmental sciences prepares them for careers ranging from integrated pest management to international development, from environmental legislation to biotechnological investigation, from cash cropping to city planning. Students find employment in agribusiness (e.g. agricultural sales and consulting), soils-related activities (such as soil conservation and land-use planning), and other areas of environmental concern (e.g., biological control of pests and water quality assessment/control), as well as crop production (such as turf maintenance and farm management). Because of its breadth and diversity, the crop and soil environmental sciences major is divided, for advising and curricular purposes, into five undergraduate options. Agroecology OptionStudents in this option concentrate on the biology and increasingly complex technology of food, feed, and fiber production. Graduates typically move into farming or into sales, consulting, and managerial positions that directly and indirectly support agricultural production, a most vital component of the U.S. economy. Biotechnology and Genetics OptionPProducing better quality and higher yielding crops has always been an objective of crop breeders. New techniques of genetic engineering are now being brought to bear on crop improvement. Students in this option will learn the newest methods of biotechnology and will be well prepared for careers in research and industry. International Agriculture OptionThe world's ever-expanding population must be fed; at the same time, we must be good stewards of the earth’s resources. Many developing countries have not been able to bring food production and resource conservation into balance. Students in the International Agriculture option are interested in finding simultaneous solutions to these concerns. Employment opportunities exist with various private and public agencies. Soil-Environmental OptionHuman impacts on the environment and good stewardship of the soil and land resources are major focuses of this option. Graduates find positions with governmental agencies and private industry. They may be dealing with concerns such as soil conservation, groundwater pollution, land-use planning, waste management, or reclamation. Turfgrass Management OptionUsing basic principles of the natural sciences and agricultural technology, turf managers have skills that make them highly employable in golf-course management, athletic and recreational fields, lawn maintenance services, the landscaping industry, and sod production. Requirements for a MajorAll the curricula for the various options contain a core of courses to assist the student in developing knowledge and ability in basic sciences (biology and chemistry), computational skills (mathematics, computer science, and statistics), communication skills (both writing and speaking), as well as crop, soil, and environmental sciences. A list of courses specified for each option may be obtained upon request from the department. In the following listing, semester hour credits are shown at the right. TOP Requirements for a MinorThe department offers a minor in crop and soil environmental sciences. The requirements include CSES 2444 (or 3444), 3114, and 3124 and 12 more credit hours selected from a set of 14 courses from within and outside the department. Consult the department office (241 Smyth) or web site for more information on a minor. Satisfactory ProgressBy the end of the academic year in which the student has attempted 60 hours (including transfer, advanced placement, advanced standing and credit by examination) "satisfactory progress" will include the following minimum criteria:
CHEM 1035, 1036, 1045, 1046
Opportunities to ExcelStudents with outstanding records can qualify for the Honors Program and graduate "in honors" in crop and soil environmental sciences. Other opportunities for personal and professional growth and for recognition include department-sponsored agronomy and turf clubs, membership in Alpha Zeta and Gamma Sigma Delta or other honoraries, and several scholarships designated for majors. B.S. graduates are certifiable in the professional registry of the American Society of Agronomy. Graduate courses and research opportunities lead to M.S. and Ph.D. specializations in soil mineralogy, soil microbiology, soil chemistry and biochemistry, soil morphology and genesis, soil physics, soil and crop management, soil fertility, biotechnology, bioremediation, crop breeding, crop ecology, crop physiology, and seed physiology. (See the Graduate Catalog for more information.) Undergraduate Course Descriptions (CSES)1004: INTRODUCTION TO CROP AND SOIL ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCESAn overview of crops, soils, and environmental studies. Emphasis placed on career aspects of crop science, soil science, turf management, environmental studies, and plant biotechnology and genetics. Pass/Fail only. (1H,1C) I. 1054: INTRODUCTORY CROP AND SOIL ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES LABORATORY Laboratory and field familiarization with Virginia's major crops and soils; the biology of crops as it relates to their management; consideration of agronomically important properties of soils and soil profiles. (3L,1C) II. 2434: CROP EVALUATION Identification of more than 200 crops, weeds, seeds and crop diseases. Seed testing for purity according to the rules of the Association of Official Seed Analysts. Crops graded according to the official USDA grain grading standards. (6L,2C) I,II. 2444: AGRONOMIC CROPS An introduction to crop production in Virginia, presenting basic climatic, crop, and soil characteristics and their relation to cropping systems. Introduces basic mechanical, chemical, and managerial tools of crop production and examines feed quality and seed and forage storage. (3H,3C) I. 2964: FIELD STUDY Variable credit course. 2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY Variable credit course. 2984: SPECIAL STUDY Variable credit course. 2994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH Variable credit course. 3114 (ENSC 3114) (GEOS 3614): SOILS Characterization of soils as a natural resource emphasizing their physical, chemical, mineralogical, and biological properties in relation to nutrient availability, fertilization, plant growth, land-use management, waste application, soil and water quality, and food production. For CSES, ENSC, and related plant-and earth-science majors. Partially duplicates 3134. Pre: CHEM 1036. Co: 3124. (3H,3C) I. 3124 (ENSC 3124) (GEOS 3624): SOILS LABORATORY Parent materials, morphology, physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils and related soil management and land use practices will be studied in field and lab. Partially duplicates 3134. Co: 3114. (3L,1C) I. 3134 (ENSC 3134): SOILS IN THE LANDSCAPE A study of soils as functional landscape components, emphasizing their physical, chemical, mineralogical, and biological properties in relation to plant growth, nutrient availability, land-use management, and soil and water quality. Primarily for FOR/FIW, LAR, and other plant/earth science related majors. May not be taken by CSES or ENSC majors. Partially duplicates 3114 and 3124. Pre: one year of introductory CHEM or BIOL or GEOS. (2H,3L,3C) II. 3144: SOIL DESCRIPTION AND INTERPRETATION Describing, classifying, evaluating, and interpreting soil and site properties in the class and field. Local field trips supplement lecture and laboratory studies. Required for students interested in attending soil judging contests. Co: 3114, 3124. (1H,6L,3C) 3304 (GEOG 3304) (GEOS 3304): GEOMORPHOLOGY Examines the variety of landforms that exist at the earth's surface. Detailed investigation of major processes operating at the earth's surface including: tectonic, weathering, fluvial, coastal, eolian, and glacial processes. Field excursion. Pre: GEOG 1104 or GEOS 1004 or GEOS 2104. (3H,3C) II. 3444: WORLD CROPS AND CROPPING SYSTEMS An introduction to world crops, their primary regions of production, the factors that determine where they are grown, and their economic importance. Describes the various factors that can be managed to improve crop yields. Examines present and potential systems of farming for improved crop production in the major climatic and soil ecosystems of the world. Junior standing required. (3H,3C) II. 3564: TURF ECOLOGY Turfgrasses are identified and evaluated for their adaptation and use in parks, cemeteries, lawns, athletic fields, roadsides, and golf courses. Ecological factors and cultural practices that influence turfgrass production are covered. Emphasis is placed on the development of practical turf cultural programs. Junior standing required. (3H,3L,4C) I. 3604: FUNDAMENTALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Interrelationships between human activities and the environment; provides national and global perspective; emphasis on the physical, chemical, and biological principles and processes that are essential to an understanding of human-environment interactions; land, water, and atmospheric resources; the role of energy in human and natural systems; environmental legislation and human behavior. Junior standing and completion of SCIENTIFIC REASONING AND DISCOVERY CORE required. (3H,3C) II. 3634 (ENSC 3634): PHYSICS OF POLLUTION Physical processes that control the fate of pollutants in our land, air, and water resources. Types and sources of pollutants, physical processes in the soil-water-atmosphere continuum controlling the dispersion and deposition of pollutants, the movement of pollutants, including radionuclides, by surface and subsurface water flow in soils, and physics of disturbed soils. Pre: 3114, PHYS 2206, MATH 2016, MATH 2514. (3H,3C) I. 3644 (ENSC 3644): PLANT MATERIALS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION Overview of ecological principles related to revegetation and restoration of disturbed sites. Function and species requirements of plants in stabilizing disturbed areas including mines, rights-of-way, constructed wetlands, and for the remediation of contaminated soils. Pre: BIOL 1106. Co: 3114. (3H,3C) I. 4004: SENIOR SEMINAR The job market, placement, and professional ethics within crop and soil environmental sciences, and consideration of topics of current interest in the major. Majors only. Senior standing required. (1H,1C) I. 4114 (ENSC 4114): SOIL PHYSICS Application of the principles of physics and mathematical analysis to the study of soils. Covers the physical nature and properties of soil solids, basic soil mechanics, physical state of water in soils, infiltration and movement of water in soils, mass transport in soil solutions, soil gases and soil aeration, heat and heat transfer in soils. Pre: 3114, PHYS 2205, MATH 2015. (3H,3L,4C) I. 4124: SOIL SURVEY AND TAXONOMY Identification and evaluation of soil morphological characteristics; techniques for writing soil map and taxonomic unit descriptions; characterization and delineation of soil landscapes into discrete soil map units on an aerial photographic base; classification of soil taxonomic units by criteria of the National Cooperative Soil Survey. Co: 3114 or 3124. (1H,6L,3C) I. 4134: SOIL GENESIS AND CLASSIFICATION The form and dynamics of soil bodies across the landscape; soil-forming factors and processes; state factor analysis as a predictive tool to explain the evolution of unique soils across the terrain; diagnostic horizons and other important pedological features used in Soil Taxonomy; history and development of soil classification systems. Taught even years. Pre: 4124. (3H,3C) II. 4144: PLANT BREEDING AND GENETICS Genetic variation in plants and its importance in plant breeding, and comparisons of theories and procedures in breeding of self-pollinated versus cross-pollinated plants. Taught even years. (2H,3L,3C) II. 4164 (BIOL 4164) (CEE 4164) (ENSC 4164): ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY Ecology, physiology, and diversity of soil and aquatic microorganisms; incorporates the significance of these topics within the context of environmental applications such as bioremediation, wastewater treatment, control of plant- pathogens in agriculture, and pollution abatement in natural systems. The laboratory portion of the course will stress methodology development, isolation and a characterization of microorganisms from natural and engineered systems, and examination of the roles of microorganisms in biogeochemical cycling. Pre: BIOL 2604. (2H,3L,3C) II. 4214: SOIL FERTILITY AND MANAGEMENT Soil productivity and nutrients required for crop growth; fertilizer sources and nutrient reactions in soil; methods of fertilizer nutrient placement in major tillage systems; and interpretation of soil tests and plant analyses for determining crop nutrient requirements. Pre: 3114. (3H,3C) II. 4224: SOIL FERTILITY AND MANAGEMENT LABORATORY Determination of essential elements for plant growth in soils and plants. Techniques for obtaining representative soil and plant samples. Comparison of soil test methods and interpretation of results and instrumentation utilized in analytical work. Co: 4214. (3L,1C) II. 4334 (FOR 4334): PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF AGROFORESTRY Biological, social, economic, and technical aspects of agroforestry, training and technology transfer techniques, and application of forestry and agriculture principles. Roles of animals and fish, trees, and agricultural crops in agroforestry systems. Community involvement in planning and implementation of agroforestry projects. (3H,3C) I. 4344: CROP PHYSIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY Developmental and ecological processes important in cropping situations: seed physiology, root and canopy development, flowering, water stress, energy flow, competition; emphasis on physiological adaptations, limitations to yield, and yield-optimizing strategies. (3H,3C) II. 4444: ADVANCED CROP MANAGEMENT Analysis and evaluation of conventional and alternative crop management systems; natural resource problems associated with agriculture; directions of crop management research and science; low-input, sustainable agriculture. Pre: 2444, 3114, 3124. (3H,3C) II. 4524: AGROMETEOROLOGY In-depth, quantitative treatment of weather in relation to crop production. Covers physical basis for global weather and weather patterns, measurement of weather elements, analysis and interpretation of weather data series, quantifying the influence of weather on crop growth and development, estimating dynamic energy and water balance of field crops using weather data series, soil heat transfer, and bio-physical crop models. Pre: 4344. (3H,3C) 4544: FORAGE CROP ECOLOGY Species adaptation interrelated with soil, climatic, and biotic factors as associated with establishment, production, utilization, and nutritional value of forages. Pre: ALS 3204. (3H,3C) II. 4564: INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF TURF SYSTEMS Requires students to develop an integrated turf management plan for a case-study golf course, athletic field complex, sod farm, or commercial lawn care operation. A significant part of this plan will be in agronomic programming, material selection, application schedules, and budgeting. Prerequisite and senior standing are required. Pre: 3564. (2H,2C) I. 4594 (CEE 4594): SOIL AND GROUNDWATER POLLUTION Application of mathematical models for chemical movement in soils and groundwater to evaluate soil and groundwater pollutant behavior; discussion of pollution remediation technologies; design of subsurface monitoring networks; case studies in soil and groundwater pollution; applications to landfills, waste spills, septic drainfields, pesticide/fertilizer leaching, and other problems of environmental concern. Pre: (MATH 2224 or MATH 2514), (GEOL 4114 or CEE 4314). (3H,3C) I,II. 4644: LAND-BASED SYSTEMS FOR WASTE TREATMENT Soils as a medium for waste treatment; potential for environmental degradation from biologicals and chemicals added to soils; development of land-based treatment and utilization systems for solid and liquid wastes; issues and concerns relating to large-scale applications of municipal and industrial wastes to land. Taught odd years. (3H,3C) II. 4734 (CHEM 4734) (ENSC 4734): ENVIRONMENTAL SOIL CHEMISTRY Chemistry of inorganic and organic soil components with emphasis on environmental significance of soil solution-solid phase equilibria, sorption phenomena, ion exchange processes, reaction kinetics, redox reactions, and acidity and salinity processes. Pre: 3114, 3124, CHEM 2514, CHEM 2535, CHEM 3114, MATH 2015. (3H,3C) I. 4754 (CHEM 4754) (ENSC 4754): INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS FOR AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Theory and principles of common analytical instruments and their applications to agriculture and environmental science research. Topics include atomic absorption and emission spectroscopy, spectrophotometric methods (UV, visible, luminescence, and automation), chromatography, ion-selective electrodes, and microwave digestion. Infrared spectroscopy, atomic ratio and molecular mass spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance will also be included. Provide hands-on experience with modern analytical instruments. Prerequisites or graduate standing required. Pre: (CHEM 3114, CHEM 3124) or (CSES 3114, CSES 3124). (3H,3L,4C) II. 4844 (ENSC 4844) (GEOG 4844): SOIL INTERPRETATION USING GIS AND DSS Use of Geographic Information System (GIS) software to compile digital maps, imagery, and natural resource data. Digital data will be downloaded from the Internet and verified in the field with GPS units. Decision support systems (DSS) will be used to produce interpretative maps from digital soil data. A hypothesis, proposal, and GIS project will be created and project results presented in class. Attendance required on daylong field trips to GIS application sites. Taught odd years. Pre: 4124, GEOG 4084 or BSE 4344 or CEE 4204. (2H,3L,3C) II. 4964: FIELD STUDY Variable credit course. 4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY Variable credit course. 4984: SPECIAL STUDY Variable credit course. 4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH Variable credit course.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Programs of Study
Agricultural and Applied Economics | Agricultural and Extension Education | Agriculture and Life Sciences Agriculture Technology | Animal and Poultry Science | Biochemistry | Biological Systems Engineering Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences | Dairy Science | Entomology | Food Science and Technology | Horticulture Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise | Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science |
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