PLSC 457 Turfgrass Science, Ecology & Management
 
Course description
This is the capstone course for the major in sports and urban turfgrass management program. A problem solving approach to all facets of turfgrass management using the science and technology will be used to address important issues such as environment, ecology, resources, energy, and economy. Emphasis will be on skills in literature searching, problem solving, and communication. PLSC 375 and PLSC 381 are prerequisites and most of the other supporting courses for this program are strongly recommended to be completed before taking this course.
 
Course objectives
1. To integrate the basic knowledge of soil fertility, soil physics, plant physiology, microbiology, entomology, and plant pathology for turfgrass management.
2. To identify management, social and economic problems and issues in regional and national turf industry and discuss possible solutions.
3. To grasp the environmental/ecological issues involved in professional turfgrass management; the effects of intensively managed turfgrass on the local and regional environment.
4. To further groom the individual towards professionalism in turfgrass management; speaking to the public, projecting the professional image, and making ethical decisions.
 
Course topics
1. Overview of course objectives.
2. Historic retrospect and look in to the future of sport turf industry, sports field construction and management.
3. Searching for turf management related publications.
4. Soil chemistry, physics, and fertility.
5. Soil organic matter.
6. Perennial grasses.
7. Grass physiology.
8. Turfgrass genetics and the impacts of GMO on green industry.
9. Turfgrass and environment relationships.
10. Water use in turfgrass.
11. Nutrient uptake by turfgrass.
12. Turfgrass diseases.
13. Turfgrass insect pests.
14. Thatch - a new insight on an old problem.
15. Localized dry spots.
16. Winter kill and damage.
17. Root zone layering and black layer.
18. Soil salinity.
19. Alternative water sources.
20. Fertilizer and chemical use efficiency and environment.
21. Turf management and wild life.
22. Audubon programs.
23. Critical thinking - how to avoid "snake oils".
24. Professional lawn care.
25. Turfgrass research and graduate school.
   
Grade Determination
 
Class roundtable discussion 1 40
Class roundtable discussion 2 40
Class roundtable discussion 3 40
Class roundtable discussion 4 40
Class roundtable discussion 5 40
Class roundtable discussion 6 40
Final 100
Class presentation 100
Essay 200
 
A lettered grade will be reported to the office of registration and record as follows.
A = 90% +
B = 80 - 89%
C = 70 - 79%
D = 60 - 69%
F = < 60%
 
Evaluation standards
 
1. Discussions:
  a. Of the six class discussions, you are allowed to drop one of the lowest scores, or to be absent once with an acceptable excuse. In other words, only five of your best scores are used for the average.
  b. Attendance, 10 points
  c. Preparation, 20 points
  d. Participation, 20 points
2. Presentations:
  a. Clear objectives.
  b. Maintain interests from the audience.
  c. Professionalism.
  d. Communication skills.
  e. Being able to address questions and lead discussion.
3. Essay:
  a. Timely submission, due: March 29, 2004. For a delay of every 24 hr, there will be 10 points deducted. Those who submit the essay for regional or national competition will receive a bonus of 30 points.
  b. Topic relevance: essays should focus on a broad topic of turfgrass management. Projects involving landscape design, irrigation system design, or some other special project may also be acceptable. Examples of special projects include the construction of soil profiles of putting greens, low budget maintenance, special topics listed in the class syllabus, managerial skills and leadership. I am open to other ideas, but I want to OK them before you start.
  c. Language: good spelling, punctuation, grammar. Trade article style.
  d. Novelty and in-depth analysis: show logical reasoning and critical thinking.
  e. Format: it should be a minimum of seven (7) pages in the main body length and must be submitted in typewritten form, font size 12 pt, double-spaced on white paper (margins no greater than 1" all around). You should include a cover page with your name, e-mail and phone number, year in school, and major listed on it. A bibliography page should also be attached (Please include at least five (5) references cited in the text).
GCSAA STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST
 
Eligibility
The contest is open to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in turfgrass science agronomy or any field related to golf course management. Applicants must be a member of GCSAA.
Topics
The essay topic should focus on golf course management.
Rules
Essays should be 7-12 pages in body length and must be submitted in typewritten form, double-spaced on white bond paper. References and/or bibliography must be included. Plagiarized essays will be disqualified. Plagiarism is any use of another writer's word, concepts, or sequence of ideas without acknowledging that writer by the use of proper documentation. In an informal essay, an internal citation to introduce direct quotes, paraphrased or summarized material may be sufficient documentation. Remember that all the work you submit must be original. Copying material from books as though it's your own work is plagiarism.
Essays must include a cover page with the student's name, school, year in school, home and campus address, home and campus telephone numbers, email address, GCSAA student member ship number and a signature.
Each page should be numbered and should include the student's last name.

All entries become the property of GCSAA and may be published or adapted for later use in GCSAA publications.
Judging Criteria
Essays should be original, compelling, well-organized, readable, persuasive and creative. Technical accuracy, composition skills (spelling, grammar etc.) and the student's adherence to the contest rules will be considered by the judges.
Awards
The judges may select up to three winners who receive scholarship prizes. Prizes are $2,000 for the first place, $1,500 for second and $1,000 for third. In addition to prizes, winning entries may be published or excerpted in Newsline or Golf Course Management magazine.
 
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS
MARCH 31
Send entries to:
GCSAA Career Development Department
Student Essay Contest
1421 Research Park Drive
Lawrence, Kansas 66049-3859
 
For more details, call Pam Smith of GCSAA at 1-800-472-7878 ext. 678.
or visit:

http://www.gcsaa.org/career/pursuing/scholarships/essay.asp
 
Textbooks
No Textbook is required, however, one reference is strongly recommended as follows:
Beard, J.D. 2002. Turf Management For Golf Courses. Ann Arbor Press. 2nd ed. Chelsea, MI 48118. ISBN: 1-57504-092-1.
Other references
Carrow, R.N., D.V.Wadington, and P.E. Rieke. 2001. Turfgrass Soil Fertility and Chemical Problems Assessment and Management. Ann Arbor Press. Chelsea, MI 48118. ISBN: 1-57504-153-7.
McCarty, L.B., J.W.Everest, D.W.Hall, T.R.Murphy, and F.Yelverton. 2001. Color Atlas of Turfgrass Weeds. Ann Arbor Press. Chelsea, MI 48118. ISBN: 1-57504-142-1.
Schmidgall, R.S. 2004. Superintendent's Handbook of Financial Management. Revised Ed. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Hoboken, New Jersey. ISBN: 0-471-46319-1.
Schumann, G.L., P.J.Vittum, M.L.Elliot, and P.P.Cobb. 2002.IPM Handbook for Golf Courses. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Hoboken, New Jersey. ISBN: 0-57504-065-4.
Balogh, J.C. and W.J.Walker. 1992. Golf Course Management & Construction Evironmental Issues. Lewis Publishers, Chelsea, MI. ISBN: 0-87371-742-2. Potter D.A. 1998. Destructive Turfgrass Insects. Ann Arbor Press. Chelsea, MI 48118. ISBN: 1-57504-023-9.
Adams, W.A. and R.J. Gibbs. 1994. Natural turf for sport and amenity: Science and Practice. CAB International. ISBN: 0-85198-720-6.
 
Important Notice
 
Academic Honesty: All work in this course must be completed in a manner consistent with NDSU University Senate Policy, Section 335: Code of Academic Responsibility and Conduct (http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/policy/335.htm). All students in this course are governed by the college of Agriculture's Honor System. It is the responsibility of the students to report any violations of the honor pledge to the instructor, honor commission, or the Dean of the College of Agriculture (http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/instruct/mcclean/ag_www/honor.htm).
 
Students who have any disability that might affect their performance in this class are encouraged to speak with the instructor at the beginning of the semester.