This course engages students in educational experiences to develop skills to navigate the plant sciences. As an orientation course, it will introduce you to some of the important resources available to you as a student at the University of Minnesota in the College of Food Agricultural, and Natural Resources Sciences. A major learning objective is to increase your ability to access and utilize the primary literature in the plant sciences. This course will also introduce you to fundamental skills and best practices in managing and analyzing data that you will use in subsequent plant science courses. As a writing intensive course, you will get instruction and practice in scientific writing. This course is delivered in a hybrid (in person/online) format. This will require careful planning, self-discipline, and good time management to view pre-recorded lectures and successfully complete the various online learning activities, quizzes and assignments. The specific plant science content that you will learn will come from your research to complete a literature review assignment, reading and analyzing papers, and working with data sets from published research. The ultimate goal is to enhance your competency as a self-learner to serve you in your academic pursuit of a degree at the University of Minnesota and beyond.

A comprehensive introduction to biology - includes molecular structure of living things, cell processes, energy utilization, genetic information and inheritance, mechanisms of evolution, biological diversity, and ecology. Includes lab. This comprehensive course serves as a prerequisite and requirement in many majors.

Atomic theory, periodic properties of elements. Thermochemistry, reaction stoichiometry. Behavior of gases, liquids, and solids. Molecular/ionic structure/bonding. Organic chemistry and polymers. energy sources, environmental issues related to energy use. Prereq-Grade of at least C- in [1011 or 1015] or [passing placement exam, concurrent registration is required (or allowed) in 1065]; intended for science or engineering majors; concurrent registration is required (or allowed) in 1065; registration for 1065 must precede registration for 1061

Basic laboratory skills while investigating physical and chemical phenomena closely linked to lecture material. Experimental design, data collection and treatment, discussion of errors, and proper treatment of hazardous wastes. prereq: concurrent registration is required (or allowed) in 1061

This course uses fundamental concepts of ecology and evolution to illuminate and solve the challenges in managing insects and microbes in today?s global context of food and fiber production. Students will learn relevant aspects of insect and microbial biology to be able to situate concrete management problems in an appropriate ecological and evolutionary conceptual framework. Students will apply these concepts and discuss ecological and management controversies, such as what can we learn from natural areas to better manage food and fiber production systems. Case studies, readings, and discussion topics will emphasize factors influencing responsible management decisions.

How food production systems fit within overall food system. Fundamentals of soils, plant nutrition, plant production metabolites as they affect food production systems. Decisions that differentiate among conventional sustainable/organic systems. prereq: College level general biology course or Hort 1001 or instr consent

The most recent surveys reveal there are 347,298 vascular plant species in the world! During this course, you will acquire the skills that will allow you to identify many plants you encounter day-to-day in Minnesota and around the world. By the end of the term, you will have been introduced to over 150 woody and herbaceous plants and learned the key distinguishing features for identifying some of the most important ones. You will be introduced to plant families that are important from a human perspective, where in the world they are most commonly found, some of the problems they can experience or create, and some of the ways they are used by humans.

Chemical/biochemical foundation for agricultural disciplines. Concepts in organic, analytical, and biological chemistry. Chemistry, metabolism, and development of plants. Prerequisites: [CHEM 1015, CHEM 1017] or [CHEM 1061, CHEM 1065] *Note for those students considering graduate school - We highly recommend you consult your academic advisor for appropriate chemistry coursework.

Basic physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil. Soil genesis classification, principles of soil fertility. Use of soil survey information to make a land-use plan. WWW used for lab preparation information. prereq: [CHEM 1015, CHEM 1017] or CHEM 1021 or equiv

Graphs of equations and functions, transformations of graphs; linear, quadratic, polynomial, and rational functions, with applications; inverses and compositions of functions; exponential and logarithmic functions with applications; basic probability rules, conditional probabilities, binomial probabilities. prereq: 3 yrs high school math or satisfactory score on placement exam or grade of at least C- in [PSTL 731 or PSTL 732 or CI 0832]

Graphs of equations and functions, transformations of graphs; linear, quadratic, polynomial, and rational functions with applications; zeroes of polynomials; inverses and compositions of functions; exponential and logarithmic functions with applications; coverage beyond that found in the usual 3 years of high school math. prereq: 3 yrs of high school math or satisfactory score on placement test or grade of at least C- in [PSTL 731 or PSTL 732 or CI 0832]

A streamlined one-semester tour of differential and integral calculus in one variable, and differential calculus in two variables. No trigonometry/does not have the same depth as MATH 1271-1272. Formulas and their interpretation and use in applications. prereq: Satisfactory score on placement test or grade of at least C- in [1031 or 1051]

Differential/integral calculus with biological applications. Discrete/continuous dynamical systems. Models from fields such as ecology/evolution, epidemiology, physiology, genetic networks, neuroscience, and biochemistry. prereq: [4 yrs high school math including trig or satisfactory score on placement test or grade of at least C- in [1151 or 1155]], CBS student

Importance of plant genetic diversity. Morphological, molecular, and computational methods of identifying/conserving genetic resources. Biological basis of genetic diversity. Case studies in crop improvement. prereq: Introductory biology

This online course with required synchronous meetings is designed to provide a foundation in the theory and application of plant biotechnology used in crop improvement. The online lecture meets twice per week to introduce and discuss the basic concepts of plant genetics, molecular biology, DNA manipulation, plant tissue culture, gene introduction, and analysis of gene expression. The diversity of perspectives surrounding the application of biotechnology to plant improvement will be discussed. Course content consists of lecture, reading assignments, practice writing, peer review, discussions, and group work. prereq: [Biol 1009 or equiv or grad student], instr consent

Introduction to physiological basis for effects of environment on plant growth/development. How to produce optimal plant growth. Experimental technique, data analysis, scientific writing. Lecture, readings, lab. Prerequisites: Biol 1009 or Hort 1001 and BioC 3021 or Hort 2100 or BioC 2011

Introduction to the biology of plants, algae, and fungi. Structure, growth, development, reproduction, diversity, and aspects of their ecology. Includes laboratory that focuses on structures in photosynthetic organisms and fungi as well as an introduction to physiology. prereq: One semester of college biology

Principles and techniques of propagating plants by seeds, cuttings, grafts, buds, layers, and division. Lectures on principles; labs on practice of various propagating techniques.

Ecology/biology of invasive plant species (weeds). Principles of invasive plant management in agricultural/horticultural, urban, wetland, aquatic, and other non-cropland landscape systems, utilizing biological, cultural, and chemical means. Management strategies to design systems that optimize invasive plant management in terms of economic, environmental, and social impacts. prereq: 4005, [Bio 3002 or equiv], Soil 2125, [Agro 2501 or Hort 1011]

Chemical kinetics. Radioactive decay. Chemical equilibrium. Solutions. Acids/bases. Solubility. Second law of thermodynamics. Electrochemistry/corrosion. Descriptive chemistry of elements. Coordination chemistry. Biochemistry. prereq: Grade of at least C- in 1061 or equiv, concurrent registration is required (or allowed) in 1066; registration for 1066 must precede registration for 1062

Basic laboratory skills while investigating physical and chemical phenomena closely linked to lecture material. Experimental design, data collection and treatment, discussion of errors, and proper treatment of hazardous wastes. prereq: concurrent registration is required (or allowed) in 1062

Organic compounds, constitutions, configurations, conformations, reactions. Molecular structure. Chemical reactivity/properties. Spectroscopic characterization of organic molecules. prereq: C- or better in 1062/1066 or 1072H/1076H

Research and thesis writing experience conducted under supervision of a CFANS faculty advisor and course instructor. The student is responsible for identifying the faculty advisor and conducting research prior to registering for this course. A course permission number is given after providing a student-faculty learning contract. The goal of this course is to produce a written thesis in the format of a peer-reviewed scientific article. Students will meet weekly with the course instructor to discuss writing about research. Students will complete a series of staged writing assignments for each section of the thesis (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion etc.). After review by the faculty advisor, the student will revise and submit their final draft. Final drafts will be published in the University of Minnesota Library Digital Conservancy (https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/203510).

Control of growth/development in sexual/asexual reproduction of plants. Effects of environment, plant growth substances. Protocols on dormancy, origin, development of adventitious structures. Specialized propagation techniques. Lecture, lab. prereq: 1001 or BIOL 2022

This course provides an overview of tree diseases in urban and forested areas. It covers diseases that have had a significant impact on society such as Dutch Elm disease; oak wilt, chestnut blight, white pine blister rust, sudden oak death and many others. It also provides an overview of important cankers, leaf diseases, wilts, rusts, root rots and other tree problems. Laboratory sessions enable students to get hands-on experience identifying disease agents, examining symptoms and learning appropriate control procedures. Emphasis will also be placed on ecological processes, biological and cultural control, and host-parasite interactions. This course should be of value to anyone interested in biological sciences, natural resources or ecology. It is a must for individuals that will have a career in natural resources but should also be useful to those interested in maintaining healthy trees at home, in urban areas or woodlands. Alumni of the University working with trees or woody ornamentals indicate this is one of the most important courses you can take as a student.

Standard statistical reasoning. Simple statistical methods. Social/physical sciences. Mathematical reasoning behind facts in daily news. Basic computing environment.

Importance of plant genetic diversity. Morphological, molecular, and computational methods of identifying/conserving genetic resources. Biological basis of genetic diversity. Case studies in crop improvement. prereq: Introductory biology

This online course with required synchronous meetings is designed to provide a foundation in the theory and application of plant biotechnology used in crop improvement. The online lecture meets twice per week to introduce and discuss the basic concepts of plant genetics, molecular biology, DNA manipulation, plant tissue culture, gene introduction, and analysis of gene expression. The diversity of perspectives surrounding the application of biotechnology to plant improvement will be discussed. Course content consists of lecture, reading assignments, practice writing, peer review, discussions, and group work. prereq: [Biol 1009 or equiv or grad student], instr consent