CRSS 2830 - Course Overview

Turfgrasses and their management. Emphasis will be placed on how turfgrasses are used in society. Guest speakers from the turfgrass industry (golf course, sports fields, lawn care, etc.) who will discuss management systems and career opportunities.

Texts: Emmons, Turfgrass Science and Management, 3rd edition). Albany, NY: Delmar Publishers/Thompson Learning, 2000; CRSS 2830 video.

Course Overview

Introduction

This is a basic, survey course in turfgrass management. It is intended to acquaint you with the principles and science involved in managing high quality turfgrass areas. It is intended to be not a complete treatise on turfgrass management but an overview of the most fundamental principles. The course begins with a brief discussion of the importance of turfgrasses and their effect on the environment. Also in Lesson 1, career opportunities and examples of salaries for various positions in the golf course industry are presented. Lesson 2 addresses both cool- and warm-season turfgrasses and the regions of the country for which they are best adapted. Lesson 3 includes the basic management strategies used for maintaining high quality turfgrasses: establishment, fertilization, mowing, and irrigation. Lesson 4 focuses on controlling common pests and other related problems. Finally, in Lesson 5, via videotape, you are introduced to three outstanding guest speakers from the turfgrass industry. Each speaker has a long and distinguished career in the turfgrass industry. I think you will enjoy the practical information they present.

This is a lower division course and does not have prerequisites. However, background knowledge in biology or the plant sciences will be very helpful. Any practical work experience in the area of turfgrass management will also make the course more meaningful.

Texbooks and Other Course Materials

The textbook used in this course is by Robert Emmons. I believe this is the best textbook available for an introductory course in turfgrass management. It is practical while including enough science that you will learn why certain turfgrass management practices are done rather than simply memorizing facts in "cookbook" fashion. The discussion presented in each unit will support the major points brought out in the required reading and cover principles or concepts not treated in the text. A videotape will also be used in this course. As mentioned above, three guest speakers will address in more depth specific areas of turfgrass management.

Lesson Preparation

This course is divided into five lessons consisting of a varying number of units. Each unit will have a reading assignment from your textbook. At the end of each lesson, there will be a self-assessment section and a written assignment section. Only the questions from the written assignment section should be submitted for grading. You are strongly encouraged, however, to study the self-assessment section thoroughly since the information presented may be covered on the final exam. The answers to the self-assessment sections can be found in the appendix to the course guide.

Final Examination and Grading

After completing all the lessons, you will be ready to take the final examination. The final will consist of 100 objective questions, such as true/false and multiple choice. It will cover all aspects of turfgrass management as presented in each lesson. You are strongly encouraged to take the practice examination found at the back of this course guide. This practice examination is presented in the same format as your final examination. With the textbook closed, take the practice exam in the same manner as you would the final examination. Remember, the final examination is comprehensive, covering the entire course.

The final exam will be worth 50 percent of your course grade, with your combined score on the written assignments accounting for the other 50 percent. You must pass the final to pass the course, regardless of grades earned on lessons. You are responsible for knowing and abiding by Independent and Distance Learning policies and procedures. See your Student Handbook for detailed information.