PL SC - Plant Science

Issues related to the importance of plants in our lives, including global food security, interactions between agriculture and the environment, the role of crops in human and animal nutrition, and the potential development of biofuels, biofibers, biopharmaceutical, and bioindustrial crops. Not available to students with 60 units in Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences. This course does not substitute for PL SC 221 in the program core. Prerequisite: Biology 30 recommended.

A hands-on, experiential education course taught at Devonian Botanic Garden. Students will learn relevant plant anatomy, an introduction to horticultural methods, garden plant basic needs, soil development, pruning practice, vegetable production examples, and contrast between home gardening and commercial production systems. Discussions and readings will incorporate sustainable practices, food security, local food movement, and environmental footprint.

Introduction to basic agronomy of western Canadian field crops. Students will experience agronomic practices, crop equipment and technology hands-on. Extended field trip prior to the start of classes. Prerequisite: 30 units.

Principles of plant science for use in agriculture, forestry and environmental sciences. Emphasis on vascular plants in an applied context. Topics include: plant structure and function; reproduction and development; and diversity and management of vegetation and crops. Not to be taken if credit received for BOT 205. [Offered jointly by the Departments of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science and Renewable Resources].

Introduction to the principles and practices of insect management within cropping systems, with emphasis on insect management in western Canadian field crops. Topics include methods of sampling, monitoring, and forecasting, estimating yield losses, economic thresholds, role of beneficial insects and integrated pest management strategies. Prerequisite: 3 units in BIOL.

Study of crop production as influenced by plant-plant and plant-environment interactions, as well as management practices. Topics may include photosynthetic efficiency, growth analysis, competition and facilitation in monocrops and mixtures, response to climate change and environmental stress, use of genetically modified organisms and contrasting world crop production systems. Prerequisite: PL SC 221 or BOT 205.

Agronomy, breeding, biochemistry, biotechnology, and ecological issues related to production of plants for bioproducts. Topics selected from biodiesel, fuel ethanol, biolubricants, bioplastic, platform biochemicals, and starch and protein for nonfood applications. Prerequisite: BIOL 107, PL SC 221, or CHEM 164.

Biology and ecology of invasive alien species in cropped, disturbed, and natural environments. Methods of control of weedy species, including biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical and an introduction to the herbicide mechanism of action and environmental impacts. Prerequisite: PL SC 221 recommended.

The establishment, management, conservation and utilization of forages. Morphological structure and adaptation of the principal forage grasses and legumes. Prerequisite: PL SC 221 or consent of Instructor.

The role of cereals, oilseeds, and pulse crops in Western Canadian agricultural systems. Their botanical, physiological, agricultural, and market quality characteristics. Prerequisite: PL SC 221 or consent of Instructor.

An introduction to the basic principles and concepts applied for the genetic improvement of crop plants. This will also include different plant breeding methods and tools used for the development of crop cultivars. Not to be taken if credit received for PL SC 465. Prerequisites: BIOL 107 or PL SC 221.

An introduction to plant diseases; the nature of nonparasitic and parasitic causal agents such as air pollutants, temperature, viruses, bacteria, fungi, higher plants and nematodes; principles involved in disease prevention and control. Prerequisite: BIOL 107 recommended.

Project or reading course supervised by a Faculty member, requiring preparation of a comprehensive report. Prerequisites: 60 units of university courses or higher and consent of the instructor. Note: may be taken more than once if topic is different.

Absorption, translocation, degradation, mechanism of action. Normally offered in alternate years. Prerequisites: PL SC 352 and BOT 340.

Diseases of cereal, oilseed, pulse, forage, vegetable, fruit and ornamental crops. Normally offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: PL SC 380.

The use of biotechnology, including genetic engineering, to improve crop plants. Topics covered will include developing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) with an emphasis on crop plants, the application of specific techniques to improve crop productivity, enhancing nutritional characteristics, phytoremediation and the production of pharmaceuticals and other plant products. Not to be taken if credit received for BOT 382. Prerequisites: BIOL 207 or (BIOL 107 and PL SC 221). BOT 205 and BIOCH 200 recommended.

Integrated agronomic, mechanical, biological, and chemical control of insects, disease organisms and weeds that interfere with field crop and horticultural crop production. Prerequisites: PL SC 310, PL SC 352, and PL SC 380; one course may be taken as a corequisite.

This course is intended as the capstone course for crop science, and other majors, and provides an opportunity for students to integrate their knowledge about various aspects of crop management, and environmental and economic sustainability. The course centers on the completion of a group project. Lecture time will be divided between traditional lectures and guest lectures to facilitate interactions with agricultural professionals, and project management to engage students with real-world agricultural challenges. Prerequisites: PL SC 355, REN R 210, and 6 units from: PL SC 310, PL SC 324, PL SC 352, PL SC 380.