All the courses that compose Penn State's bachelor of science degree program in turfgrass science can be completed around your own schedule—wherever and whenever it's most convenient for you. All core courses in the program are 1 semester in length (15 weeks for the fall and spring semesters and 12 weeks for the summer semester). The start and end dates for the core courses correspond to the University's calendar. To earn your degree in a timely manner, we suggest completing 3 courses every 12 months.
Bachelor of Science Degree in Turfgrass Science (120 credits)
Requirements for the Major (86 credits)
This includes 20 credits of prescribed General Education courses.
| Prescribed Courses (33 Credits) |
| ENT 317 |
Turfgrass Insect Pest Management
Introduction to entomology and management of insect pests of cool- and warm-season turfgrass.
Prerequisite: TURF 235, CHEM 101, or CHEM 110 |
3 credits |
|
PPATH 412 |
Turfgrass Disease Management
Introduction to biology of turfgrass pathogens and management of cool- and warm-season turfgrass disease.
Prerequisites: TURF 230; TURF 235; CHEM 101 or CHEM 110; BIOL 127 |
3 credits |
| SOILS 101 |
Introduction to Soils
A study of soil characteristics and their relationship to land use, plant growth, environmental quality, and society/culture. |
3 credits |
| TURF 230 |
Turfgrass Pesticides
Chemical toxicity, formulations, environmental fate, labels, MSDS, calibration, IPM, safety, handling, storage, and Pennsylvania certification and regulations. |
1 credit |
| TURF 235 |
The Turfgrass
Characterization of the primary plant species used for sports, lawn, and utility turf; includes turfgrass morphology, environmental adaptation, and cultural requirements. |
3 credits |
| TURF 238 |
Turf and Ornamental Weed Control
Students will be introduced to the development of integrated weed management strategies utilizing a variety of cultural and chemical methods.
Prerequisites: CHEM 110; TURF 230 (may be taken concurrently), TURF 235 (or equivalent) |
3 credits |
| TURF 425 |
Turfgrass Cultural Systems
A study of turfgrass maintenance practices and how their interrelationships can be utilized to develop management systems.
Prerequisite: SOILS 101, TURF 235 (or equivalent) Recommended: TURF 238, TURF 297, ENT 317, PPATH 412 |
3 credits |
| TURF 434 |
Turfgrass Edaphology
Characterization of soil's physical and chemical properties for the establishment and maintenance of sports turf; includes root zone construction.
Prerequisite: SOILS 101, TURF 235 (or equivalent) |
3 credits |
| TURF 435 |
Turfgrass Nutrition
Study of turfgrass nutrition and growth; emphasizing constructed and mineral soil fertility, nutrient uptake and function, and fertilizer use efficiency.
Prerequisites: SOILS 101, TURF 235 |
4 credits |
| TURF 436W |
Turfgrass Management Systems
Case study and discussion considering integrated management of selected turfgrass sites; emphasis on problem analysis, principle application, and decision making.
Prerequisites: TURF 230 (may be taken concurrently), TURF 235 (or equivalent), TURF 236
Recommended: TURF 297, TURF 425 |
3 credits |
| TURF 490 |
Colloquium
Presentations developed by students in consultation with the course instructor.
Prerequisite: seventh-semester standing
Students should have completed approximately three-quarters of their 120-credit degree requirements before enrolling in TURF 495 (internship-summer term), immediately followed by TURF 490 (seminar-fall term). |
1 credit |
| TURF 495 |
Internship
Supervised off-campus, nongroup instruction including field experiences, practicums, or internships. Written and oral critique of activity is required.
Prerequisite: prior approval of proposed assignment by instructor
Students should have completed approximately three-quarters of their 120-credit degree requirements before enrolling in TURF 495 (internship-summer term), immediately followed by TURF 490 (seminar-fall term). |
3 credits |
Prescribed General Education Courses (20 credits)
| Prescribed Courses also Counted as General Education |
| BIOL 011 |
Introductory Biology I |
3 credits |
| BIOL 012 |
Introductory Biology II |
1 credit |
| BIOL 127 |
Introduction to Plant Biology |
3 credits |
| CHEM 101 |
Introductory Chemistry |
3 credits |
| CHEM 202 |
Organic Chemistry |
3 credits |
| CMPSC 203 |
Principles of Programming with Business Applications |
4 credits |
ENGL 202C or
ENGL 202D |
Effective Writing: Technical Writing or
Effective Writing: Business Writing |
3 credits |
| MATH 021 |
College Algebra I |
3 credits |
Supporting Courses (30 credits)
Select 15 credits from each of the following 2 categories to fulfill the supporting courses requirements.
Professional Management and Economics (choose 15 credits)
Professional Agriculture (choose 15 credits)
General Education (45 credits)
This includes 45 or more General Education credits.
| Writing and Speaking (GWS) (9 credits) |
| CAS 100 |
Effective Speech |
| ENGL 015 |
Rhetoric and Composition |
ENGL 202C or
ENGL 202D |
Effective Writing: Technical Writing or
Effective Writing: Business Writing |
| Quantification (GQ) (6 credits) |
| CMPSC 203 |
Principles of Programming with Business Applications |
| MATH 021 |
College Algebra I |
| Natural Sciences (GN) (9 credits) |
| BIOL 011 |
Introductory Biology I |
| BIOL 127 |
Introduction to Plant Biology |
METEO 003 or
METEO 101 |
Introductory Meteorology
Understanding Weather Forecasting |
| Arts (GA) (6 credits) |
| Humanities (GH) (6 credits) |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS) (6 credits) |
| ECON 002 |
Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy |
| Health and Physical Activity (GHA) (3 credits) |
Electives (7 credits)
NOTE: Within the course work outlined above, students must complete the U.S. (US) and international cultures requirement (IL) and writing-intensive courses (W). Contact a Student Services adviser for details.
NOTE: To earn your bachelor's degree in a timely manner, we suggest completing 6 courses every 12 months. Listed prerequisites may be waived by the course instructor if you can demonstrate the required level of competency.
World Campus Course Catalog
