Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

PSS 1001 First Year Seminar: 1 hour.

One hour lecture. First-year seminars explore a diverse arrary of topics that provide students with an opportunity to learn about a specific discipline from skilled faculty members

PSS 1113 The Gardening Experience: 3 hours.

Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Basic home garden design and practice toward growing your own food as well as creating simple outdoor plant aesthetics, planting and maintenance

PSS 1313 Plant Science: 3 hours.

Two hours lectures. Two hours laboratory. Scientific principles as the basis for practice in producing, handling, processing, marketing, and utilizing agronomic and horticultural plants

PSS 2111 Turf Management Lab: 1 hour.

Two hours laboratory. (Pre or co-requisites PSS 2113). This lab gives the student hands on experience with grass and weed identification and turfgrass management operations. Turfgrass calculations and equipment calibration will be mastered

PSS 2113 Introduction to Turfgrass Science: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Introduction to basic principles associated with the art and science of turfgrass management including propagation, establishment, renovation, and basic pest management

PSS 2323 Horticultural Impacts on Society: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. An in-depth inquiry into the various areas of sociohorticulture and the impact people-plant interactions have on us and our society environmentally, socially, physically, and economically

PSS 2343 Floral Design: 3 hours.

Two hours lecture. Two hours studio. The history and appreciation of floral art through exploration of design principles, plant materials, and compositional floral forms

PSS 2423 Plant Materials I: 3 hours.

Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Characteristics, identification, and landscape uses of ornamental trees, shrubs, vines, flowers, and grasses adapted to Southern conditions

PSS 2543 Precision Agriculture I: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and MA 1313). Two hours lecture. Two hours lab. This introductory course highlights site-specific crop management techniques. Topics include: Best Management Practices, economic and physical farm production models, and measurement of variability (same as ABE 2543)

PSS 2990 Special Topics in Plant and Soil Sciences: 1-9 hours.

Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)

PSS 3043 Fruit Science: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Principles and practices involved in the production of deciduous trees and small fruits

PSS 3133 Introduction to Weed Science: 3 hours.

(Prerequisites: BIO 2113; CH 1213 or CH 1053). Three hours lecture. Managing weeds; basic weed biology; methods of controlling weeds, introductory herbicide technology, weed control systems, and the fate of herbicides in the environment

PSS 3301 Soils Laboratory: 1 hour.

(Prerequisite: Prior credit for/or current enrollment in PSS 3303, Co-requisite for Plant and Soil Sciences majors: PSS 3303). Two hours laboratory. General treatment of selected phases of the subject matter

PSS 3303 Soils: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: One semester (preferably two) of inorganic chemistry, CH 1043, Co-requisite for Plant and Soil Sciences majors: PSS 3301.) Three hours lecture. General treatment of all phases of the subject including lime and fertilizers

PSS 3313 Interior Planting Design and Maintenance: 3 hours.

Two hours lecture, two hours laboratory. Identification of plant materials for interior planting and principles of design, installation and maintenance, preparation of cost estimates and maintenance contracts for interior plantings

PSS 3343 Wedding Floral Design: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite:PSS 2343). One hour lecture. Four hours laboratory. Application of design principles to wedding floral design

PSS 3411 Turf Seminar I: 1 hour.

One hour lecture. Class discussions with invited turf industry representatives. Topics will include Turf industry overview, turf career opportunities, writing a resume, and job interviews. May be repeated for credit more than once

PSS 3413 Floristry Internship: 3 hours.

(Pre-requisites: PSS 2343 and consent of Retail Floristry Management faculty). Individual work experience in a floral industry enterprise with an approved employer under faculty supervision

PSS 3421 Turn Seminar II: 1 hour.

One hour lecture. Review of turfgrass literature and presentations of scientific articles. May be repeated for credit more than once

PSS 3423 Agronomy Internship: 3 hours.

(Prerequisites: Junior standing and consent of Agronomy Faculty). Individual work experience in an agronomic or environmental organization with an approved employer under faculty supervision. This course may be repeated under approved conditions

PSS 3433 Horticulture Internship: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: Consent of the Horticulture faculty). Individual work experience in a horticulture or allied industry organization with an approved employer under faculty supervision. This course may be repeated under approved conditions

PSS 3443 Permanent Botanical Floral Design: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: PSS 2343). One hour lecture. Four hours laboratory. Application of design theory and principles to non-perishable, dried, and preserved floral products

PSS 3473 Plant Materials II: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: PSS 2423). Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Continuation of PSS 2423

PSS 3511 Seminar: 1 hour.

(Prerequisite: Nine credits in horticulture). One hour lecture. Review of horticultural literature, and presentation and discussion of scientific articles

PSS 3553 Wines and Vines: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: Must be age 21 or older by first class meeting). Three hours lecture. Principles and standard practices of wine grape production, processing, and sensory evaluation for students with a professional interest in wine

PSS 3633 Sustainable and Organic Horticulture: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Online course. A study of the base knowledge of the principles and practices of sustainable, organic, and alternative horticulture management systems

PSS 3923 Plant Propagation: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: BIO 2113). Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Basic principles in the propagation of horticultural plants

PSS 4000 Directed Individual Study in Plant and Soil Sciences: 1-6 hours.

Hours and credits to be arranged

PSS 4013 Principles of Floral Design II: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: PSS 2343). Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. An in-depth inquiry into advanced floral design theory, advanced floral design techniques, and requirements for becoming a certified floral designer through the American Institute of Floral Design

PSS 4023 Floral Management: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Online course. To identify and understand the basic principles necessary to operate wholesale and retail floral businesses

PSS 4043 International Horticulture: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: PSS 1313). Three hours lecture. Online course. Worldwide overview of horticultural export, marketing, and international trade issues and individual country analyses of specific fruit, vegetable and ornamental crops

PSS 4073 Sympathy Floral Design: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite PSS 2343). Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Application of design theory and principles used in sympathy work

PSS 4083 Floral Design for Special Events: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: PSS 2343). Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Planning and preparing of floral design compositions for use in special events

PSS 4093 Post-harvest Care of Cut Floral Crops: 3 hours.

Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Identification, postharvest care and handling, sourcing and distribution of cut floriculture plant materials

PSS 4103 Forage and Pasture Crops: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of instructor). Two hours lecture . Two hours laboratory. Origin, uses, and ecology of forage plants, establishment, nutritive value, use, yield and maintenance of forage plants as related to morphology, physiology and pasture management

PSS 4113 Agricultural Crop Physiology: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Online course. Physiology of agricultural plants, including water relations, respiration, photosynthesis and growth and development

PSS 4123 Grain Crops: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: Junior standing). Two hours lecture . Two hours laboratory. Corn, small grain, practice in commercial grading given in laboratory

PSS 4133 Fiber and Oilseed Crops: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: Junior standing). Three hours lecture. Production and utilization of fiber and oilseed crops. Emphasis on soybean, cotton, and peanut production

PSS 4143 Advanced Fruit Science: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: PSS 3043 or equivalent). Three hours lecture. Three hours laboratory. A study of the latest advances in pomology and interpretation of current research findings and their application to modern fruit growing

PSS 4153 Sustainable Agroecology: 3 hours.

(Prerequisites: PSS 1313 and PSS 3303). Online. Three hours lecture. The study of interactions between crops and abiotic and biotic environments. Emphasis is placed on quantitatively examining theory and principles for production, stability and sustainability of agricultural ecosystems

PSS 4223 Seed Production: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: Junior standing). Two hours lecture . Two hours laboratory. Principles and practices, special emphasis on production of varietally pure seeds; agronomic factors in harvesting, drying, storage, treating and marketing seed

PSS 4313 Soil Fertility and Fertilizers: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: PSS 3303 and junior standing). Three hours lecture. Fundamentals and concepts of soil fertility/nutrient management; fertilizer sources and crop response to nutrients; fertilizer production; and soil fertility evaluation and maintenance through organic and inorganic fertilization

PSS 4314 Microbiology and Ecology of Soil: 4 hours.

(Prerequisite: PSS 3303). The study of diverse soil microbial communities and how they influence the structure and function of ecosystems (natural and managed) and the global biosphere (same as BIO 4324/6324)

PSS 4323 Soil Classification: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: PSS 3303). Three hours lecture. Origin, development, and classification of soils including identification and field mapping

PSS 4333 Soil Conservation and Land Use: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: PSS 3303). Two hours lecture . Three hours laboratory. Soil identification, topographic relationships and soil-water resources; their characteristics, quality, suitability, and management; conservation practices; using soil maps to determine land use

PSS 4341 Controlled Environment Agriculture Laboratory: 1 hour.

(Prerequisite: Prior credit for/or current enrollment in PSS 4343; Corequisite for horticulture majors: PSS 4343). Two hours laboratory. Online course. An experiential study of the principles and practices of controlled environments operation and management

PSS 4343 Controlled Environment Agriculture: 3 hours.

(Prerequisites: BIO 2113 and PSS 3303; Co-requisite for horticulture majors: PSS 4341). Three hours lecture. Online Course. A detailed review and explanation of principles and practices of controlled environments operation and management

PSS 4353 Arboriculture and Landscape Maintenance: 3 hours.

Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Care of ornamental trees and shrubs, including pruning, bracing, surgery, transplanting, and fertilization

PSS 4363 Sustainable Nursery Production: 3 hours.

Prerequisites: PSS 2423 and PSS 3303). Three hours lecture. Online course. Nursery crop production including site selection and planning, plant nutrition, water relations and irrigation, shipping, and managing people and resources

PSS 4373 Geospatial Agronomic Management: 3 hours.

(Prerequisites PSS 3303, PSS 3133). Three hours lecture. This class will utilize the basic tools of geographical information systems and geographical positioning systems technologies to analyze agronomic case studies

PSS 4383 Agriculture Remote Sensing I: 3 hours.

(Prerequisites: MA 1313 and any GIS course or consent of instructor). Two hours lecture. Two hours lab. Online course. The study of whole-farm systems using data captured by camera, spectroscopic satellites, and telemetric sensors. Emphasis is placed on integrating multiple ag-related geospatial concepts into field-level production inquiries

PSS 4393 Agriculture Remote Sensing II: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: PSS 4383/6383 or GR 4313/6313). Two hours lecture and two hours laboratory. The advanced study of whole-farm systems using data captured by camera, spectroscopic satellites, and telemetric sensors. Emphasis is placed on integrating multiple ag-related geospatial concepts into field-level production inquiries

PSS 4411 Remote Sensing Seminar: 1 hour.

One hour lecture. (Prerequisite: Junior Standing). Lectures by remote sensing experts from industry, academia, and governmental agencies on next-generation systems, applications, and economic and societal impact of remote (Same as ECE 4411/6411, FO 4411/6411,GR 4411/6411)

PSS 4413 Turfgrass Management: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: PSS 2113). Three hours lecture. An advanced comprehensive study of turfgrasses and the varied management strategies employed for golf and sports turf, home lawns, commercial turf, and sod production

PSS 4423 Golf Course Operations: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: PSS 4413/6413). Two hours lecture . Two hours laboratory. Scheduling maintenance practices, golf course construction and renovation with emphasis on operation and care of specialized turf equipment

PSS 4443 Athletic Field Management: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: PSS 2113 or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. A comprehensive study of athletic fields, including construction, maintenance, renovation and management. Emphasis will be placed on interactions between soil properties and sports turf performance

PSS 4453 Vegetable Production: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: PSS 3303 and PSS 3301 or PSS 4113/6113 or BIO 4214/6214). Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Principles and practices of commercial vegetable production

PSS 4463 Community Food Systems: 3 hours.

Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Exploration of aspects in community food systems including planning and design, sustainable growing practices, and human nutrition and health. (Same as LA 4463/6463 and FNH 4463/6463)

PSS 4473 Hydroponic and Soilless Crop Production: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: PSS 4343/6343). Three hours lecture. The fundamentals of growing crops using hydroponics and soilless culture, particularly in controlled environments such as greenhouses and vertical farms

PSS 4483 Introduction to Remote Sensing Technologies: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: Senior or graduate standing, or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Electromagnetic interactions, passive sensors, multispectral and hyperspectral optical sensors, active sensors, imaging radar, SAR, Lidar, digital image processing, natural resource applications (Same as ECE 4423/6423 and ABE 4483/6483)

PSS 4493 Plant Genetics: 3 hours.

(Prerequisites: PSS 1313, BIO 1134 or BIO 2113). Three hours lecture. An introductory application of genetics and genetic principles as they apply to plant reproduction and crop production. Understanding of mitosis and meiosis, diploid and polyploid genetics, and the generation of transgenic crops

PSS 4503 Plant Breeding: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: PO 3103). Three hours lecture. Application of genetic principles to the improvement of economic crop plants; history, methods and procedures of plant breeding

PSS 4543 Precision Agriculture II: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: PSS/ABE 2543 and Junior Standing). Two hours lecture. Two hours lab. Site-specific management techniques are examined. Continuous decision-making processes of farm production are integrated using a whole-system, geospatial approach (same as ABE 4543/6543)

PSS 4553 Plant Growth and Development: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Online course. Structure of plant developmental processes and how environmental factors interact to affect and control plant growth and development

PSS 4603 Soil Chemistry: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: PSS 3303). Three hours lecture. Soil is a mixture of inorganic and organic solids, air, and water. Soil may contain micro and macro organisms and root. All of these things interact and influence each other

PSS 4613 Floriculture Crop Programming: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: PSS 4343/6343). Two hours lecture. Three hours laboratory. A detailed study of the techniques involved in the production of the major commercial flower crops

PSS 4633 Weed Biology and Ecology: 3 hours.

(Prerequisites: BIO 2113. PSS 3133. Junior standing or consent of instructor). Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory . Weed identification and population responses to agricultural production systems

PSS 4733 Ag. Flight Technologies I: 3 hours.

(Prerequisites: Junior Level or higher). Two hours online lecture, two hours online laboratory. The course instructs students in Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) manual flight skills and the FAA Remote Pilot certification exam materials, and is a prerequisite course for advanced autonomous flight training (PSS 4743/6743)

PSS 4743 Ag. Flight Technologies II: 3 hours.

(Prerequisites: PSS 4733/6733 Ag. Flight Tech. I AND Instructor Approval). Three hours lecture. Enrolled students attend a week-long advanced autonomous flight workshop at Mississippi State University, Starkville campus. At week’s end, students take the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification. (Course may be taken two times)

PSS 4800 Undergraduate Research in Plants & Soil Sciences: 13 hours.

Hours, credits and deliverables to be arranged. The purpose of this course is to provide a student with the opportunity to participate in research and/or creative project beyond the traditional undergraduate experience, while allowing the university to track undergraduate participation in these activities

PSS 4813 Herbicide Technology: 3 hours.

(Prerequisites: PSS 3133 and junior standing). Two hours lecture. Three hours laboratory. Classification and use of herbicides. A detailed look at herbicide application-field use and factors influencing herbicide activity. Credit may not be given for this course and PSS 4823/6823

PSS 4823 Turfgrass Weed Management: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: PSS 3133 and Junior standing). Two hours lecture. Three hours laboratory. Classification and use of herbicides with emphasis on herbicides and emphasis on herbicides used in turfgrasses. Credit may not be given for this course and PSS 4813/6813

PSS 4990 Special Topics in Plant and Soil Sciences: 1-9 hours.

Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)