The impact of human activities on the global ecosystem has stimulated strong public interest in a better understanding of our environment. The Bioenvironmental Sciences (BESC) curriculum examines the interface between living components of the ecosystem and the physical environment, with an emphasis on plants and microorganisms. In some instances, technological advances that have increased our standard of living have contributed to air and water pollution, global warming (greenhouse effect), and the loss of biodiversity within ecosystems. Future technologies may lead to solutions of many of these problems. For example, genetically engineered microorganisms have been developed which may be used to detoxify hazardous wastes and to manage plant pests and pathogens through biological control. The Bioenvironmental Sciences curriculum is designed to train students in the development and/or application of these new technologies with a maximum of program flexibility. Students may choose to be technically trained in research and development or to study regulatory and ethical issues related to environmental stewardship. Skills needed for careers in the bioenvironmental sciences are extremely diverse, and may include lab work, field work, planning and design, policy making, research, public education and regulatory compliance, enforcement and investigation. The curriculum described below incorporates the flexibility to choose among programs of study that allow participation in most of these activities.

Plant Pathology (PLPA)

285. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 4 Individually supervised research or advanced studies for lower-division undergraduate students to independently investigate special problems not available in existing courses. Prerequisites: Approval of instructor in consultation with departmental advisor.

289. Special Topics in:.. Credit 1 to 4 Selected topics in an identified area of plant pathology. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

301. Plant Pathology. (3-0). Credit 3. I, II Introduction to fundamental principles of plant pathology; diagnosis, cause and control of plant diseases. Prerequisites: BIOL 113 or BOTN 101; concurrent registration in PLPA 303.

303. Plant Pathology Laboratory. (0-2). Credit 1. I, II Isolation, identification of plant pathogens and clinical diagnosis and control of plant diseases. Prerequisite: PLPA 301 or registration therein.*

485. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 4 each semester. I, II, S Special problems for advanced under graduates to permit study of subject matter not available in existing courses. Prerequisites: PLP A 301 and prior approval of instructor or department head.

489. Special Topics in... Credit 1 to 4. I, II Selected topics in an identified area of plant pathology. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: PLPA 301 or approval of instructor.

Bioenvironmental Sciences (BESC)

201. Introduction to Bioenvironmental Science. (3-0). Credit 3. An introduction to the biological components of environmental sciences, with emphasis on the impact of the world’s population on global resources; lectures by research scientists reflecting their disciplinary perspective in relevant areas.

204. Molds and Mushrooms, Credit 3. Introduction to the fungi and impact these organisms have on society and the environment. Prerequisites: None

285. Directed Studies, Credit 1 to 4. Individually supervised research or advanced studies for lower-division undergraduate students to independently investigate special problems not available in existing courses. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor in consultation with departmental advisor.

289. Special Topics in…Credit 1 to 4. Selected topics in an identified area of bioenvironmental science. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

314. Pathogens, the Environment and Society. (3-0). Credit 3. The impact of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and viruses) on the development of modern culture and society; the role pathogens played in the history of mankind and the influence of the changing environment on emerging diseases. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification.

320. Water and the Bioenvironmental Sciences, Credit 3. Critical understanding of salient issues relating to fresh water as a limited and important bioenvironmental resource, writing intensive. Prerequisites: Junior or Senior classification

401. Bioenvironmental Microbiology. (3-0) Credit 3. The interactions of microorganism in diverse environments; applied aspects of microbial interactions in the environment, their effects on the environments, and potential use to solve environmental problems. Prerequisites: AGRO 405 and 3 hours of organic chemistry, or equivalents; or approval of instructor.

402. Microbial Processes in Bioremediation. (3-0). Credit 3. Metabolic pathways of microbes involved in the biodegradation of hazardous materials will be presented; ecological requirements for biotreatability of contaminated sites will be discussed emphasizing factors affecting microbial growth; strategies for in situ bioaugmentation will be presented. Prerequisite: One semester of organic chemistry.

403. Sampling and Environmental Monitoring. (2-3). Credit 3. Introduction to environmental sampling and methodology; strategies and analyses of sampling data; overview of current applications of sampling and monitoring in the environmental sciences; emphasis on practical aspects of sampling from air, soil and water; detection and quantification of microbial and chemical unknowns in environmental media. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor.

484. Field Experience. Credit 1 to 4. An on-the-job supervised experience program conducted in the area of the student’s specialization. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of department head.

485. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 4. Special problems for advanced undergraduates to permit study of subject matter not available in existing courses. Prerequisite: BESC 201 or approval of instructor.

489. Special Topics in…Credit 1 to 4. Selected topics in an identified area of bioenvironmental sciences. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: BESC 201 or approval of instructor.