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CRSS 3270 (UGA)
Principles of Turfgrass Management
(3 semester hours)

Web Course Format: ALISSA

This course can be taken
    -> as a web course
    -> as a print course

Lessons for this course can be submitted and/or be returned
    -> via U.S. mail
    -> via fax return from IDL

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Turfgrass management practices and systems. Species selection, establishment, irrigation, mowing, fertilization, cultivation, as well as weed, insect, and disease control. Discussions will include the benefits of turfgrasses to society and various environmental issues impacting the turfgrass industry.

Requirements: Nine lessons, one examination.

Instructor:  Keith J. Karnok, Ph.D., Professor, The University of Georgia.

Texts and Materials: Turgeon, Turfgrass Management, 7th ed., Prentice Hall, 2005.

CRSS 3270 - Course Overview

Introduction

This is an intermediate course in turfgrass management. It is advisable, but not required, that you first take CRSS 2830, which is a one-credit introduction to turfgrass management. The combination of both courses will set the foundation for CRSS 4090, an advanced course in turfgrass science. All three are available via IDL. Although each course stands on its own, the combination of all three will provide an excellent background regarding the principles and practices of turfgrass management. We begin this course with a discussion of the role of turfgrasses in today’s environment. You will learn that turfgrasses play a very important role in aiding and protecting our environment. We then examine the growth and development of the turfgrass plant, as well as the characteristics of specific turfgrass species. This is followed by discussions concerning the various management practices common to the care of high-quality turfgrass areas. The last two lessons of the course deal with pest control and the management of turfgrasses subjected to environmental stresses, such as high and low temperatures, drought, and shade. Rather than think of each topic individually, it is important to look at how all the topics interrelate. In other words, mowing height and fertility can dramatically determine the success or failure of growing turfgrasses under shade. It is important to learn the principles presented in each lesson rather than simply memorizing facts. The goal is to be able to apply the principles learned to any and all actual turfgrass situations.

This is an upper-division course. Basic knowledge of biology and/or botany will be very helpful. If you have other knowledge in the areas of chemistry, physics, ecology, or other agriculture-related courses, your understanding of this course will be greatly enhanced. Furthermore, any hands-on turfgrass management experience you may have will also make the subject matter more meaningful. Finally, if you would like more hands-on experience with some of the course content, please consider taking CRSS 3270L, the laboratory course that accompanies this one. The laboratory exercises will teach you to distinguish one turfgrass from another, examine and identify turfgrass seeds, weeds, and even insects, and diagnose diseases. Lessons covering spreader and sprayer calibration will be of particular interest to those interested in training for a career in the turfgrass industry. The laboratory course is also available through IDL.

About the Textbook

There are numerous turfgrass management books and references available. A serious student of turfgrass management will want to examine the supplementary reference and resource list in Appendix C in this course guide. The textbook used in this course, by A.J. Turgeon, covers the principles of turfgrass management in a straightforward manner. Dr. Turgeon focuses on the chapter contains review questions that I strongly encourage you to answer, although only the written assignment questions in the course guide should be submitted for grading. Try to answer the review questions after you have completed your reading. If you are unsure of an answer, reread the material and then try again. Successful completion of all the review questions will help ensure your success on the final examination.

Lesson Preparation

Each lesson begins with a reading assignment from your textbook and continues with the supplementary information in this course guide. At the end of each lesson you will find a written assignment that must be submitted for grading. Your written work will be returned to you with comments and a grade.

Final Examination

After completing all the lessons, you will be ready to take the final examination. The final will include true/false, multiple-choice, and matching questions. The best way to prepare for the final is to make sure you understand the principles and concepts associated with the questions in each written assignment.

You are strongly encouraged to take the practice examination found in Appendix A of this course guide. This practice examination is presented in the same format as your final examination. It’s advisable to take the practice exam with the textbook closed. The final is worth 50 percent of your course grade; your lesson average makes up the remaining 50 percent. The final examination is comprehensive, covering the entire course. It will consist of 100 questions. You must pass the final examination in order to pass the course, regardless of grades earned on lessons. You are responsible for knowing and abiding by IDL policies and procedures. See your Student Handbook for detailed information.