Plant Sciences 763
Laboratory Methods in Weed Science
Spring Semester (odd years)
Professor Lym, Office hours: Open
Monday - Wednesday - Friday 8:00 to 9:50 (Lecture)
Lab Sessions TBA

This class is designed to demonstrate chemical, analytical, and physiological methods used in determining herbicide residues in soil, and water and methods to determine herbicide absorption, translocation, and metabolism in plants. The course is also designed to increase the students proficiency in scientific writing and speaking skills through practical writing and class discussion and demeanor.

The course will expose students to a wide variety of lab methods including: electron microscopy, analytical methods ranging from colormetric and HPLC/GC techniques, direct and indirect estimates of herbicide residues in soil and water, and 14C techniques. Also, this course will stress professional training both because of the safety protocol required and to help develop the student for a professional career. Thus, attendance is required and students are expected to be in class on time, sit in the front of the room not the back, and dress professionally and appropriately for the classroom or laboratory. Reading assignments will cover background material and techniques not necessarily discussed in the lecture but required for class discussion and will be included on quizzes and the final exam. Hats, food and beverages, and other unprofessional attire and behavior is prohibited.

Required resources:
      Text: Research Methods in Weed Science - Third edition
      Clothing: Lab coat and safety glasses

Grading: Final grades based on 90%=A, 80%=B, 70%=C, etc. 

  50% Labs The due date for lab reports will be announced during the course but are generally due 1 week after completion of an exercise. The reports must consist of a short Introduction, Materials and Methods, and Results section and should be written in Weed Science journal format. Labs that are of a demonstration type will not require a written report unless a student is absent during the demonstration.
  30% Final  The final exam will be arranged.
  20% Quizzes A ten minute quiz will be given each week; discussion during class is expected and is graded.

Any students with disabilities or other special needs, who need special accommodations in this course are invited to share these concerns or requests with the instructor as soon as possible.

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

 

Course Outline

  • Course introduction, lab supplies, and safety orientation-Dr. Lym and K. Christianson.
  • Herbicide soil bioassay techniques and green house experimentation techniques including greenhouse maintenance and sprayer calibration and use - Dr. Lym and K. Christianson.
  • Scanning electron microscope - Dr. Freeman
    (Meets at USDA Northern Crops Research Lab)
  • Protocol for writing research results in journal format - Dr. Lym.
  • Uptake, translocation and metabolism of herbicides using 14C
    including, instrument calibration and upkeep - Dr. Lym.
  • Extraction and analysis of plant carbohydrates - Dr. Lym
  • Herbicide residue detection techniques with HPLC - Dr. Lym. Demonstration of GC. - L. Cook.
  • Field and greenhouse photography - Dr. Lym
  • Final lab technique discussion and lab clean-up.
    Written lab reports due.
  • Final exam.