This course explores the diversity, biology, and ecological roles of fungi across ecosystems. Lectures introduce foundational concepts including fungal life histories, symbioses (e.g., mycorrhizae and endophytes), decomposition, nutrient cycling, and fungal responses to environmental change. In the laboratory, students gain hands-on experience collecting and identifying fungi, quantifying fungal colonization and biomass, and designing experiments to test ecological hypotheses.

This course will cover the various aspects of phytoremediation - the use of plants (both natural hyper-accumulators and transgenic) and their associated microbes with the purpose of environmental clean-up of contaminated soil, sediments and water. Various strategies for phytoremediation of a wide range of toxic pollutants, both organic and elemental, with a special emphasis on toxic metals will be discussed.

Theory and application of the principles of insect, disease, and weed pest management; emphasis on insects. Focus on pest and natural enemy sampling techniques, properties of available control strategies, underlying ecological and behavioral principles, model pest management systems and societal concerns.

Theory and application of the principles of insect, disease, and weed pest management; emphasis on insects. Focus on pest and natural enemy sampling techniques, properties of available control strategies, underlying ecological and behavioral principles, model pest management systems and societal concerns.

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.

The basic biochemical and physiological processes occurring in fruits, vegetables, and flowers after harvest; postharvest treatments to modify these processes.

The ecology of plant, microbe, and human interactions in plant diseases, from wilderness to industrial farms. Epidemics, traditional farming, environmental impacts and sustainability issues. Ways in which agriculture, particularly plant production and plant disease management, change ecosystems. Independent project.

Not available at this time

Not available at this time