Turfgrass Science
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
University of Connnecticut


Introduction to Turfgrass Science

Turfgrass Science is an area of concentration offered under the Turfgrass and Soil Science major in the Department of Plant Science. This baccalaureate program provides students an opportunity to study turfgrass science in conjunction with courses in soil science and fertility, pest control, business management, landscape design, and ornamental horticulture. Adequate opportunities are provided for students to gain practical experiences from classes held at the Plant Science Teaching and Research Facility in addition to independent study projects. Internships are available and allow students an opportunity to work closely with professionals in the industry.

This program is designed to provide students basic and applied knowledge in turfgrass science. Students completing the program can apply their skills in the management of residential and commercial lawns, golf courses, athletic and recreational fields, parks and institutional grounds, roadsides, sod farms, inland and coastal erosion control sites, and other areas where grasses are utilized. Students completing a baccalaureate degree program of study will be eligible to pursue a graduate degree program in turfgrass science. Subsequently, graduates may enter into teaching, research, public service, or agribusiness enterprises.


Recommended Courses for Turfgrass Science Program:

PLSC 124: Turfgrass Management.
PLSC 203: Plant Pathology.
PLSC 204: Integrated Pest Management.
PLSC 213: Physiology of Economic Plants.
PLSC 219: Principles of Turfgrass Irrigation Systems.
PLSC 223: Turfgrass Pests and Control.
PLSC 224 and 224W: Turfgrass Physiology and Ecology.
PLSC 245: Landscape Plant Maintenance.
PLSC 250: Soils.
PLSC 253: Soils, Environmental Quality, and Land Use.
PLSC 257: Ecology and Control of Weeds.
PLSC 258: Soil Fertility.
PLSC 275: Landscape Design.
PLSC 283: Golf Course Management.
PLSC 284: Golf Course Design.
PLSC 286: Pesticide Safety and Management.
PLSC 287: Internship.
PLSC 288: Insect Pest Management.
PLSC 220: Professional Development in the Turfgrass Industries.
PLSC 298: Athletic Field Construction and Drainage.

Suggested Supportive and Elective Courses for Turfgrass Science Program:

PLSC 202: Design of Small Spaces.
PLSC 205: Soil Morphology, Genesis, and Taxonomy.
PLSC 231: Herbaceous Ornamental Plants.
PLSC 238: Plant Propagation.
PLSC 240: Nursery Management.
PLSC 243: Plant Biotechnology.
PLSC 244: Garden Center Management.
PLSC 246: Biotechnology - Science, Application, Impact, Perception.
PLSC 255: Landscape Design Drawing.
PLSC 259: Soil Chemistry.
PLSC 260: Woody Landscape Plants: Deciduous.
PLSC 261: Woody Landscape Plants: Evergreen.
PLSC 262: Landscape Design Fundamentals.
PLSC 290: Environmental Planning and Landscape Design.
ARE 215: Business Management.
ARE 234: Environment and Resource Policy.
ARE 235: Environment and Resource Economics.
ARE 238: Valuing the Environment.
EEB 227: Biology of Plants.
EEB 244: General Ecology.
NRME 100: Environmental Science.
NRME 204: Wetlands Biology and Conservation.
NRME 240: Environmental Law.
NRME 246: Water Quality Management.
NRME 251: Computer Utilization in Agriculture and Natural Resources.


Internships and Practicum

Students will be provided opportunities to obtain practical experience through practicums, internships, and independent studies. Internships can be undertaken during the summer or during the fall semester. Internships may be arranged with landscape or lawn care businesses, golf courses, sports turf managers, municipal, state or federal agencies, or with other business operations associated the turf industry. Practicums and Independent studies, undertaken with a faculty member, are normally conducted during the fall or spring semesters.


Associate Areas

Depending upon student interest, students may support their turfgrass concentration with courses in ornamental horticulture, landscape design, natural resources, environmental science, or business management. The Department of Plant Science offers a minor in Landscape Design. This program will enable students to broaden their career opportunities. The School of Business offers a minor in Business. This minor will enable students to compliment their turfgrass studies with a background in business management. Sufficient flexibility is provided in the turfgrass curriculum to accommodate any of these supportive options.


Facilities

In addition to the normal lecture rooms and laboratories, the Department of Plant Science houses greenhouse ranges, a teaching nursery, and a 150-acre teaching and research field facility. At the latter site students have access to turf plots and both field and greenhouse space for classes and independent turfgrass projects. State-of-the-art, multi-mediated classrooms are utilized in the Turfgrass Science Program.


Scholarships

Students may receive financial support through a variety of sources: financial aid packages, work-study and student labor funds, and scholarships. The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources annually awards over $250,000 in scholarships. Students apply for these scholarships on an annual basis.


Contact Information

The Turfgrass Science concentration is offered under the Turfgrass and Soil major of the Department of Plant Science in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Interested individuals should contact Dr. Karl Guillard at

Department of Plant Science, Unit 4067
University of Connecticut
1376 Storrs Road
Storrs, CT 06269-4067

Phone: (860) 486-6309
Fax: (860) 486-0682
Email: karl.guillard@uconn.edu


Other Courses for undergraduates in Turfgrass Science (e.g., Independent Study, etc.).


Last updated: 13 August 2004

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