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CRSS 4090 (UGA)
Advanced Turfgrass Science
(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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Prerequisite: CRSS 2830 or CRSS 3270-3270L or permission of instructor.

Advanced course in turfgrass science, with an emphasis on the scientific principles of turfgrass management.

Requirements: Ten lessons, one examination.

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

Texts and Materials: Beard, Turfgrass: Science and Culture, Regents/Prentice-Hall, 1973; course packet.

CRSS 4090 Course Overview

Introduction

This is an advanced course in turfgrass science, with an emphasis on the scientific principles of turfgrass management. I believe that in order to be a truly successful turfgrass manager, a person must understand the "why"s and not simply the "how"s of specific turfgrass management practices. By understanding the "why"s the turfgrass manager will be equipped to solve any and all turfgrass management problems as well as develop sound, scientific management programs. This will not be an easy course. There are several hundred pages of reading and, in many cases, it will be necessary to read and study certain sections several times. It is critically important that you fully understand the principles covered in this course. Although the emphasis of the course is on the science of turfgrass management, there is considerable material presented that will give you the opportunity to apply the principles of science to specific turfgrass management practices. This is primarily accomplished by supplementing the textbook reading assignments with selected readings from popular and semitechnical publications on turfgrass management.

Textbook and Course Materials

You may be surprised by the textbook I chose for this course. In fact, when you see that the copyright date is 1973, you will undoubtedly think I must be totally out of touch with current information on turfgrass. Quite the contrary. The fact is, I selected this book because I am very aware of the multitude of books now available on the topic of turfgrass management. In fact, I serve as editor of a resource publication entitled Turfgrass Management Information Directory (please see Appendix D for more information) that lists almost 8,000 different entries including books, trade and scientific publications, videotapes, slide sets, etc., that relate to turfgrass management. Dr. Beard's book is the only book available today that discusses the science of turfgrass management in sufficient detail. Scientific principles don't change significantly over time—particularly those dealing with the turfgrass environment. Furthermore, as a measure of the text's scientific significance, it is easily the most cited reference for both scientific and popular articles on turfgrass management. Finally, I hold Dr. Beard in great esteem not only because he is considered the world's foremost authority on turfgrass management, but also because he served as my Ph.D. advisor at Texas A&M University. He taught me to understand the "why"s and the importance of critical thinking in problem solving. Without question, there have been many advancements in turfgrass science since 1973; the readings in the course packet have been selected to introduce you to the newest thinking. The information contained in these readings won't, in most cases, appear in textbooks for several more years.

Lesson Preparation

This course is divided into nine lessons consisting of various numbers of units. Each unit will have a reading assignment from your textbook or the course packet. At the end of each unit there is a self-assessment section. Answer these on your own, then check the answers listed in Appendix A of this course guide. At the end of each lesson (not unit) you will find the written assignment section. Only these questions should be submitted for grading. However, you are strongly encouraged to study the self-assessment questions thoroughly, as questions on the final examination will draw on material covered in these as well as the written assignment questions. An advantage of independent study is that it allows you to study at your own pace, but keep in mind that you may benefit from waiting until your graded lesson is returned to you before progressing to the next lesson, so that you can take advantage of my comments and corrections and avoid repeating mistakes.

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 science and management as presented in the lessons. You are strongly encouraged to take the practice examination found at the back of this course guide. This practice examination has the same format as your final examination. With the textbook closed, take the practice exam in the same manner as you would the final. Remember, the 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.