Course Descriptions

Provides an introduction to the major oilseed, pulse, and cereal crops of Western Canada. Emphasis will be on factors that affect quality of these major crops of Western Canada, their utilization and the agronomic practices used in their production. The ability to identify and understand the growth characteristics of major oilseeds, pulse, and cereal crops, as well as the major pest problems of these crops will be covered in the laboratory. Discussions include the global role Canada plays in the production of the oilseed, pulse, and cereal crops and the development of improved varieties of these crops.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): AGRC 111 or permission of the instructor.
Note: Students can receive credit for only one of PLSC 201 or PLSC 222. Students with credit for PLSC 59 will not receive credit for this course.

This course will give students an introduction to precision agriculture as it relates to field crop production. Students will learn about the agronomy and technology of variable rate technology. The course will highlight the economic and environmental benefits of precision agriculture, as well as examining components of it, including soil and crop variability, global positioning systems, machinery automation, spatial analysis, unoccupied aerial vehicles (UAVs), and satellite imagery. The course will bring together these elements to allow students to evaluate precision agriculture services. This is the foundation course in the Precision Agriculture Certificate.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): AGRC 111.3; or permission of the instructor.

This course provides an introduction to agricultural equipment used for grain, forage, and livestock production in western Canada. Students will learn, from industry representatives and experienced operators, the appropriate selection, operation, maintenance, and management of farm equipment. Emphasis will be placed on tractors, tillage and seeding equipment, chemical application, forage harvesting, grain harvesting and livestock feeding equipment. The course will consist of a practicum (site visit every two weeks) that will allow students to gain a practical understanding of equipment design and function.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): AGRC 110.3 or AGRC 111.3 or AGRC 112.3
Note: There are additional non-refundable costs in addition to tuition fees.

Designed for students in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources. It considers the nature of ecosystems and of processes associated with energy flow and material cycling within them. Particular attention is given to ecosystems of Western Canada and the effect that man exerts on them, especially through agricultural practices.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Note: Students with credit for BIOL 253 or 228 may not take this course for credit.

An introduction to statistical methods and their application to experiments. Includes probability, means and variances, "t" tests, analysis of variance, experimental designs, simple regression and correlation, and chi-square tests. The lab component provides an introduction to the data analysis functions of spreadsheet software. This class is designed for students in the biological sciences. This course will be conducted online with weekly laboratory sessions.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Note: Students wishing to use this course for Arts & Science credit should refer to Statistics Course Regulations in the Arts & Science section of the Calendar. Students with credit for PLSC 314, or STAT 245, or STAT 246 will not receive credit for this course. Students in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources who have received credit for STAT 245 will not receive credit for this course.

An introduction to the economic and aesthetic value of horticulture emphasizing its importance and impact. Consideration is given to vegetable, fruit, turf grasses, nursery, and greenhouse production as well as landscaping, herbs, and medicinal plants. Emphasis is placed on Saskatchewan production in relation to regional, national and international markets. Laboratories consist of field trips and hands-on exercises.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 4 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): AGRC 111.3 and BIOL 120.3 or permission from the instructor.
Note: There is a non-refundable tour fee in addition to tuition fees.

Introduction to field crops from the perspectives of resource availability, management of the crop life cycle and field environment. Prairie crops are used to establish main principles, supplemented with examples from other areas of the world. Laboratories combine trips to local grower and industry sites with exercises on crop morphology and quality. There are additional non-refundable costs in addition to tuition fees.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Note: There are additional non-refundable costs in addition to tuition fees.
Prerequisite(s): AGRC 111 or permission of the instructor.
Note: Students can receive credit for only one of PLSC 201.3 or PLSC 222.3.

The principles and practices of weed control in organic agriculture will be covered. Students will learn the application of cultural, mechanical and biological techniques to control weeds within an integrated organic weed control system. Basic weed ecology and weed identification skills will also be learned.

Prerequisite(s): Introductory course in BIOL or permission of the instructor.
Note: This course is only available in web distance format.

This course introduces students to the basics of producing fruits and vegetables in an urban setting including environmental and social challenges. Students will learn how the urban food production movement has influenced urban design and utilization of land within urban settings. Students will learn about a wide range of strategies for increasing urban food production such as community gardens, school programs, rooftop gardening, hobby greenhouse production and more. Students will develop their own proposals to increase urban agriculture. Students will also learn about management practices such as composting, organic production, integrated pest management, environment modification, soil management. Post-harvest practices such as canning, freezing, drying, and food safety will be discussed.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 30 credit units or permission from the instructor.

The principles of plant protection for pest management of field, forage, and horticultural crops will be examined. The foundations of integrated pest management programs are considered, including surveys and identification of insects, plant diseases, and weeds. Students will be introduced to topics including monitoring and forecasting methods; strategies for management of pests; and implementation of pest management approaches. The course emphasizes the integration of different methods for managing insects, plant diseases, and weeds while examining the economic, social and environmental implications of pest control. This course features a laboratory component focused on the identification of important insects, plant diseases, and weeds.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): AGRC 111.3

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Introduction to the science and practice of beekeeping. Subjects include the development, morphology, physiology, genetics, and social behaviour of the honey bee, plus beekeeping equipment, management of bees, swarm control, wintering, honey production, bee diseases, and pollination.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 120 or BIOL 121

An introductory plant biochemistry course focusing on photosynthetic and mitochondrial metabolism, with emphasis given to interaction between these processes. The integration of amino acid and lipid biosynthesis, as well as nitrogen and sulfur metabolism, is also examined. This course will be conducted online, with some limited face-to-face instruction.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 120, BIOL 222, and one of CHEM 250 or BMSC 200.
Note: Students with credit for BIOC 220 or PLSC 240 may not take this course for credit.

This course assists students in the identification of ornamental trees, shrubs, perennial, and annual flowers commonly grown in Saskatchewan. Consideration is also given to culture, propagation and use. Labs mostly devoted to “walk-abouts” around campus where samples can be seen and identified.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Note: Offered in even years.

This course is designed for students interested in learning about the world’s major tropical crops and general tropical agriculture. The course will introduce the major tropical crops, their origin and domestication, the historical significance of the crops, the current production systems and utilization. Students will gain a global perspective on biological, social and economic constraints to the crop production in the tropics. The end of the course will be structured to enable the individual student to focus on the study of a specific crop or production system of their choice.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 120.3
Note: PLSC 240 is strongly recommended.

The identification and causes of field crop diseases in common crops of western Canada, as well as the abiotic factors that influence disease and crop development are discussed. Included are the principles of plant pathology and integrated disease management, which are the foundations of plant disease control. The course is supplemented with occasional guest lecturers, who have experience in the field of plant pathology.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PLSC 260.3

Growth, reproduction and spread of weeds, influence of agronomic and edaphic factors on weed community structure, weed-crop competition, and biological and mechanical control of weeds. Concludes with a discussion of the use of combined control methods (biological, mechanical and chemical) in integrated weed management.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): PLSC 260.3

Medicinal plants have been used by humans for many thousands of years and continue to make significant contributions to human health. Our knowledge on the applications of medicinal plants is tightly intertwined with culture and language, and is based upon a rich history of use. The use of medicinal plants is common in regulated (e.g. pharmaceutical) and non-regulated (e.g. herbal medicines) industries, home treatment, and traditional Indigenous applications. The purpose of this course is to provide students an understanding of medicinal plants through the lens of scientific legitimacy, thereby helping students to critically evaluate claims made by industry. Both humans and plants vary genetically in space and time, and thus topics surrounding the ethics of using traditional knowledge, bioprospecting, and personalized medicine will be discussed.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 120.3 and at least 45 completed credit units; permission of the instructor.

The use of pesticides for crop protection, factors affecting pesticide activity and fate of pesticides in the environment are discussed. Includes the biological activity of soil and foliar applied pesticides, pesticide modes of action and resistance, and dissipation in soil. Registration, environmental legislation and residue tolerance levels in various products are also discussed.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PLSC 260.3
Note: Students with credit for PLSC 50 will not receive credit for this course.

The fundamentals of entomology, including basic anatomy and physiology will be examined. Life-cycle and ecology of economically important field crop pest insects found on the Prairies and the principals of economic entomology including monitoring, sampling, insect control and pest management with an IPM emphasis will be explored. The history, current use of insecticides, and innovative and/or novel insect control methods will be investigated. An understanding of the balance between pest and beneficial species (biocontrol) will be developed. Tools used to identify an insect, determine economic damage and control actions will be acquired.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 120 or AGRC 111
Note: Only available in web format. An insect collection is a mandatory part of this course. Specimens should be collected over the summer prior to the beginning of a semester. For detailed information on insect collecting, please refer to: http://sites.usask.ca/insects/.

This course provides a forum to investigate current agronomic issues of importance to Western Canada. Students acquire information about these issues through invited presentations by recognized experts, independent research and team problem solving. Students will investigate issues in a multidisciplinary manner to communicate findings in both oral and written form.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): AGRC 111 and 30 credit units of university credit or permission of the instructor.
Note: Students with credit for AGRN 75 or AGRN 375 will not receive credit for this course. Costs in addition to tuition will apply to this course. This course is the capstone course for the Diploma in Agronomy program. As such, students registered in the Diploma in Agronomy program will have registration priority for this course.

Introduces students to field crop scouting. Through online asynchronous lecture and one mandatory field day, students will become familiar with the techniques necessary to assess soil characteristics, to identify and quantify crop pests (weeds, disease, insects) and herbicide injury/control symptoms, to identify plant nutrient deficiencies and symptoms of abiotic stresses and to suggest potential methods of remediation. Students will also discuss ethical behaviour and professionalism as it applies to field scouting and the practice of agrology. Students are required to come to campus for one field day in late July/early August.

Prerequisite(s): SLSC 240 or PLSC 222 or PLSC 201
Note: Offered in Summer Term two. Students with credit for AGRN 82 or AGRN 382 will not receive credit for this course. There are additional non-refundable costs in addition to tuition fees.

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Components of sustainable crop production systems will be examined from an ecological perspective. Students will evaluate the sustainability of cropping systems and develop crop production systems with greater ecological and economic sustainability. Laboratories will teach techniques used in crop scouting and diagnostics. There are additional non-refundable costs in addition to tuition fees.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Note: There are additional non-refundable costs in addition to tuition fees.
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of 75 credit units of university course work.
Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): SLSC 312.3

This course is the capstone course in the Precision Agriculture Certificate. It will allow students to integrate knowledge from their specific subdiscipline with real-world precision agriculture solutions to increase the sustainability and production of crops. Students will learn advanced concepts in precision agriculture and how to analyze spatial and temporal variability in crop production. They will utilize a variety of data, ranging from satellite imagery, soil topography and soil properties, to understand and develop variable rate prescriptions for crop inputs. Finally, students will apply this knowledge in diverse teams that utilize discipline-specific knowledge to solve real-world precision agriculture problems.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): PLSC 202.3 and GEOG 222. One of PLSC 214.3, STAT 245.3 or GE 210.3 is strongly recommended.

Application of the principles of Mendelian, population and quantitative genetics to plant evolution and improvement, and conservation of genetic resources. The role of genetic mechanisms in the micro-evolutionary process and their relevance to natural and directed plant evolution and conservation of plant genetic resources is examined.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 226

Students will be provided with basic concepts of the nature, conservation, and utilization of the world's plant genetic resources. Both in situ and ex situ conservation strategies will be covered with emphasis on gene banks. Methods of characterizing and evaluating plant germplasm and its utilization will be emphasized.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 120.3 and one of BIOL 121.3, 222.3 or EVSC 110.3.
Note: Offered in odd numbered years. Students with credit for PLSC 308 will not receive credit for this course.

Familiarizes students with the fundamental aspects of plant breeding, including applied plant genetics, breeding objectives and methods, selection theory and practice, and modern genetic techniques. Labs involve hands-on plant breeding activities.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 226 or permission of the instructor.
Note: PLSC 405 is strongly recommended.

In-depth examination of recent developments in plant ecology. Current and emerging research interests in plant population, community, and ecosystem ecology will be studied. Use and practical application of analytical tools for synthesis of research results will be emphasized.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Completion of at least 75 credit units including PLSC 214.3 (Statistical Methods) or STAT 245.3 and one of PLSC 213.3 (Principles of Plant Ecology) or BIOL 228.3 (Introduction to Ecology and Ecosystems), or permission of instructor.
Note: Students cannot receive credit for both PLSC 833 and PLSC 413.
Note: Offered in even-numbered years.

Introduces techniques of biotechnology which have the potential to be utilized in plant improvement. The class will cover the following topics: wide hybridization, cytoplasmic male sterility, tissue and cell culture, protoplast fusion and gene transfer technology. The lectures also include molecular markers, linkage and QTL analysis and their application in plant breeding.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PLSC 317, BIOL 222 and 226
Note: Offered in even numbered years.

An outline of interrelationships between physiological activity and crop growth with emphasis on energy conversion and analysis of autotrophic growth in an agronomic environment. Germination, growth integration, flowering and senescence are also to be considered. Physiological responses to environmental stresses such as water, temperature, salinity, nutrients and disease are related to crop productivity.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): One of PLSC 317 or BIOL 331 and successful completion of 84 credit units.

This course will familiarize students with the agronomy, physiology, quality and production of temperate forage species used in arable grassland production. The scientific basis of modern forage management and utilization practices will be examined.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PLSC 201.3 or PLSC 213.3 or PLSC 222.3 or ANSC 212.3 or RRM 215.3

Structure, composition, processing and utilization of the principal starch, oil, and protein crops of the world. The effects of variations in grain and seed characteristics and composition on the quality of the final food, feed and industrial products are emphasized.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours

Sustainable rangeland management for multiple uses. Rangeland inventory, monitoring, and evaluation for multiple-use management. Grazing effects on rangeland plants, plant-soil interactions, invasive species, carbon storage, nutrient cycling, the hydrologic cycle, and other ecosystem services are integrated and discussed in relation to grazing systems.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Note: There are additional non-refundable costs in addition to tuition fees.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 228 or PLSC 213
Note: Students with credit for PLSC 322 or PLSC 822 may not take this course for credit.

Study of tree physiology, the forest environment, dynamics of the composition, structure and functioning of forest ecosystems at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Emphasis is placed on forest ecosystems of Canada.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): One of PLSC 213, BIOL 228 or GEOG 270
Note: Offered in odd numbered years

Invasive plants are a growing problem in natural and managed ecosystems. This course explores why some plants are invasive and why certain ecosystems are more readily invaded. The course will review the biology and ecology of major invasive weed species in western Canada, and the methods for the control and management of those species.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PLSC 213 or BIOL 228 or PLSC 340

The course will emphasize principles and concepts of growing crops under greenhouse conditions, and other protected environments including high tunnels, low tunnels, hydroponics, indoor urban farms, shipping containers, and growth rooms. Environmental factors, pest control, fertilizers, and automation will be covered. Production details for major vegetable, floriculture, medicinal, bedding plants and container crops will be taught. Students will be exposed to scientific literature regarding greenhouse management and will design and carry out greenhouse experiments. Hands-on labs and tours will give students new skills and exposure to the commercial greenhouse industry.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): PLSC 220
Note: Offered in odd-numbered years

An introduction to the elements, principles and practices of landscape design. Students will learn how to utilize various design styles, furniture and other materials, structures and plant material to create an attractive and functional landscape. Emphasis will be placed on residential properties. Lectures will mostly be held in the classroom and will involve some guest lecturers who work in the landscaping industry. Labs will involve applying the information presented in lectures.

Weekly hours: 2 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): PLSC 220 and 330 or permission of the instructor
Note: Offered in alternate years.

Although soils contribute a major share of agricultural emissions, improved management ('Climate-Smart' agriculture) can substantially reduce these emissions and sequester some of the carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere by plants. This course will cover greenhouse gas dynamics, carbon footprinting, nutrient and water use efficiency, carbon-based policies, plant and soil health management. In doing so, this course will highlight state-of-the-art research, summarize mitigation and adaptation potentials, identify gaps in understanding, and discuss future directions.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of 75 credit units, including SLSC 240 or EVSC 220
Note: Students with credit with the PLSC 898 topic in Climate Smart Agriculture or PLSC 840 may not receive credit for this course.

Fundamentals of fruit production will be taught including cold hardiness, site selection, site development, cultural management, pruning, training, pollination, ripening, hand harvesting, weed management, IPM, machine harvesting, post-harvest handling and marketing. General needs and challenges of tree fruits, bush fruits, vines and ground fruits will be covered. More details will be given for fruit crops with the best potential for commercial development in the Canadian Prairies and far north regions. Haskap, dwarf sour cherries, and saskatoons will be particularly emphasized. Hands on labs will give students orchard skills.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): PLSC 220.
Note: Offered in even-numbered years.

Students are introduced to the agriculture and culture of a country in South America through pre-departure readings and seminars. During the tour, students will interact with local farmers, industry and government, students and faculty to gain knowledge of the agroecosystems of that country. A student symposium ensures direct contact between Canadian and local university students. Students interested in taking this course should contact the instructor at least four months prior to the start date of the course. There are additional, non-refundable costs in addition to regular tuition fees.

Note: There are additional non-refundable costs in addition to tuition fees.
Permission of instructor required.
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of 30 credit units of university-level courses.
Note: Students with credit for the PLSC 398 "Ecuador Study Tour" will not receive credit for this course. Extra fees may apply. Please contact the college for information.

This course will address aspects of entomology from an economic and applied perspective. Class covers topics including: survey methods, insect pest management, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), beneficial insects, pollination biology, insect derived products, and insect vectors of plant disease. Throughout the course, insect biodiversity will be addressed relative to these concepts.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 120 and one of PLSC 260, PLSC 350, or BIOL 365.

PLSC 451 is a comprehensive study of olericulture with an emphasis on sustainable crop management and production. This course will cover vegetable crop agronomy as practiced in Saskatchewan, Canada, and around the world. The principles of vegetable production will be studied from the perspective of various scientific disciplines including soil science, crop nutrition, plant physiology, crop protection, biotic and abiotic stress, and environmental agrology.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 1.5 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): PLSC 220.
Note: Offered in odd-numbered years.

This course evaluates the principles of post-harvest storage, cooling, transportation, modified and controlled atmospheres, and handling of horticultural crops. Post-harvest biology and technology to maximize quality and shelf life are studied at an applied level. Physiological processes and underlying management practices are examined in depth and with illustrations from contemporary research literature.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PLSC 220 or permission of the department
Note: Offered in even numbered years

The principles and the commercial practices of multiplication of plants by seeds, cuttings, division, grafting, and tissue culture are covered. Labs are hands-on with a goal of developing skills and involve doing experiments. Specific papers on plant propagation are read, analyzed, and discussed.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): PLSC 220 or BIOL 222
Note: Offered in even numbered years

This course will investigate important concepts in insect ecology with an emphasis on species interactions. Topics covered will include plant-insect interactions, behavioural ecology, evolutionary ecology, climate change and insects, toxicology, and multi-trophic interactions. The course places a heavy emphasis on primary scientific literature. Students will also compose a grant or fellowship style application for an insect related project.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): One of PLSC 260, PLSC 350 or BIOL 365, and one of PLSC 213 or BIOL 228. Or permission of the instructor.
Note: This course is a hybrid course with PLSC 875. This course cannot be taken for credit after previously taking PLSC 875.

Students will investigate a problem or issue in Plant Sciences through either a small research project or a literature review and present their findings as a written thesis and as a presentation. Technical writing and thesis preparation skills will be addressed in a series of lectures at the beginning of term 1.

Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of 81 credit units of university level courses towards a BSA.

Provides students with an opportunity to conduct original research in plant sciences in association with a research supervisor. Students will be given guidance on hypothesis development, experimental design, research, analysis and presentation. Students will present their results in a written thesis as a presentation. Technical writing and thesis preparation skills will be addressed in a series of lectures at the beginning of Term 1.

Prerequisite(s): Completion of 81 credit units toward the B.S.A. with a major in a department-based program and a cumulative average of at least 75%.

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Deals with important theoretical and applied issues related to crop improvement in both self-pollinated and cross-pollinated species. Theoretical aspects of artificial selection, genetic variability and population structure will be considered along with the practical implications of field testing, cultivar increase and release, and plant breeding regulations. There are additional non-refundable costs in addition to tuition fees.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Tutorial hours
Note: There are additional non-refundable costs in addition to tuition fees.
Prerequisite(s): PLSC 411 or equivalent or permission of the instructor.

Physiological processes involved in plant growth and development, with emphasis on yield formation in crops. Topics include growth stage systems, germination, phenology, seed set and seed growth, yield components, senescence and yield management.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours

The genetical and statistical concepts of quantitative variation in crop plants. Emphasis will be on factors which affect direct and correlated response to artificial selection. Methods of quantitative genetic research will be considered.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours

Emphasizes the principles of managing rangeland to ensure sustained productivity. Plant morphology, physiology, palatability, nutritional value, energy flow, and nutrient cycling are integrated and emphasized in relation to the impacts of grazing on soil-plant-animal interactions. Inventory, evaluation, and manipulation of rangeland resources are also studied. Field trips are required.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Tutorial hours
Permission of instructor required.
Note: Students with credit for PLSC 422 will not receive credit for this course.

Examines the application of tissue culture to plant and plant product development, the principles of plant genetic engineering, the development of molecular markers and associated technologies, application of genomic technologies to plant breeding, and the regulatory and social issues associated with plant biotechnology. The laboratory allows students hands-on experience with different techniques in plant biotechnology.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 6 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 226 and PLSC 317 or any 200-level BIOC, or permission of instructor or department.

The physical and compositional qualities of cereal grains determine how they are processed and utilized. This course will present the biochemical and genetic basis of grain quality and the molecular strategies available to improve the quality characteristics of major grain crops.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PLSC 416 or permission of the instructor.

An in-depth examination of recent developments in plant ecology. Current and emerging research interest in plant population, community, and ecosystem ecology will be studied. Use and practical application of analytical tools for synthesis of research results will be emphasized.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Restriction(s): This course is restricted to students enrolled in the College of Graduate Studies and Research.
Note: Students cannot receive credit for both PLSC 833 and PLSC 413.

Review of basic statistical concepts and an introduction to statistical computing. Topics include applying classical statistical methods to standard experimental designs, and basic use of modern statistical computing software.

Note: Students with credit for PLSC 813 may not receive credit for this course.

Training in the design and analysis of complex experiments. Topics will include the design of agronomic field experiments and an introduction to the theory and practice of mixed models with a focus on the analysis of multisite field experiments.

Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): One of PLSC 835.1 or SLSC 851.1 or ANSC 801.3, or permission of the instructor.
Note: Students with credit for PLSC 813 may not receive credit for this course.

Training in the use of modern linear modeling techniques. Topics will include the use of generalized linear models for non-normal data, generalized additive models for non-linear relationships, and structural equation modeling.

Prerequisite(s): PLSC 835.1, or SLSC 851.1, or ANSC 801.3, or permission of the instructor.
Note: Students with credit for PLSC 813 may not receive credit for this course.

This course will cover greenhouse gas dynamics, carbon footprinting, nutrient and water use efficiency, carbon-based policies, plant and soil health management. Students will be exposed to state-of-the-art research, mitigation and adaptation potentials, and future directions.

Note: Students with credit for PLSC 440 may not receive credit for this course.

Students will be introduced to current concepts and recent advances in plant resistance mechanisms to freezing, moisture, salt and heat stress from the ecologic to molecular levels. Methods of stress application and viability testing will also be demonstrated. At the end of each stress section, guest scientists will be invited to present their research.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 1 Seminar/Discussion hours

This course will investigate important concepts in insect ecology with an emphasis on species interactions. Topics covered will include plant-insect interactions, behavioural ecology, evolutionary ecology, the impact of climate change on insects, and multi-trophic interactions. The course places a heavy emphasis on critical analysis of primary scientific literature and interpretation of scientific literature within the greater body of ecological knowledge.

Note: This course is a hybrid course with PLSC 475, and this course cannot be taken for credit after previously taking PLSC 475.

Principles and quantitative methods of plant disease epidemiology are presented. The role of host plants, the environment and the pathogen in the development of epidemics are discussed. The design of experiments, analysis of data generated from such experiments, as well as temporal and spatial development of disease are addressed. Disease forecasting and decision support systems are discussed.

Weekly hours: 2 Lecture hours and 2 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): PLSC 835, 836, and 837 or permission of the department

Will provide students with an understanding of host-pathogen interactions in plants and with the genetic basis of breeding for disease resistance. Recent concepts in host-pathogen genetics and trends in disease resistance breeding will be considered.

Weekly hours: 2 Lecture hours and 2 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): Introductory plant pathology and plant breeding courses or permission of the instructor.

Assigned reading and tutorials in a specific field related to the student's major interest. Students will be required to prepare reviews or seminars on specific topics.

Weekly hours: 1 Lecture hours and 3 Practicum/Lab hours

Offered occasionally in special situations. Students interested in these courses should contact the department for more information.

Reviews of literature and recent investigations. Graduate students are required to attend and present papers during the period of their candidacy.

Students writing a Master's thesis must register for this course.

Students writing a Ph.D. thesis must register for this course