Upper-level independent work project with a faculty member related to some area of equine management.

Sophomore-level independent work related to some area of equine management.

This is a student-led practicum experience that utilizes a plot of land on campus to grow edible and ornamental crops. Although offered every semester, specific garden activities depend on the season of the year. Mandatory pass/fail grading. Students may enroll more than once for credit.

Upper-level project for students who have completed intro courses in biology/botany, soils and/or entomology.

Pre-professional work experience related to some area of the equine, food crops, and green industries.

Sophomore-level educational project with a faculty member related to some area of the equine, food crops, and green industries.

Potential of pasture to provide nutritional needs of livestock and the integration of well-managed pasture systems can contribute significantly to the sustainability of the farm. Major topics include a review of major forage species selection, grazing management, establishment of new pastures, and pasture renovation.

Fundamental chemical concepts/processes in soils, such as ion exchange, precipitation/dissolution, redox reactions, partitioning and adsorption, and solution speciation and nature of soil minerals and organic matter. Computer models used to examine current environmental, agricultural, and engineering problems. Examination of how chemical processes affect fate, transport, availability, and remediation of trace elements, heavy metals and organic contaminants in soils and sediments. Discussion on current environmental issues and problems.

Fundamental chemical concepts/processes in soils, such as ion exchange, precipitation/dissolution, redox reactions, partitioning and adsorption, and solution speciation and nature of soil minerals and organic matter. Computer models used to examine current environmental, agricultural, and engineering problems. Examination of how chemical processes affect fate, transport, availability, and remediation of trace elements, heavy metals and organic contaminants in soils and sediments. Discussion on current environmental issues and problems.

Microbial processes in the soil and sediment environment; ecology of the various microbial communities; the decomposition of organic matter, carbon transformation, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus and other mineral transformations. Chemistry of these reactions and their biogeochemical implications. Biological equilibrium, the rhizosphere, and microbial associations. Prerequisites: basic biology and organic chemistry.