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Bachelor of Science in
Turfgrass Science
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Courses

The online Bachelor of Science in Turfgrass Science is a 120-credit (minimum) program of study that builds upon the advanced turfgrass management certificate. To earn this degree, you must successfully complete:

  • 49 prescribed course credits
  • 27 supporting course credits
  • 13 additional credits
  • 18 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the requirements for the major
  • 1 elective credit

For help with understanding the credit distribution and requirements for program completion, contact an adviser today.

Core courses in the degree program cover pest management, turfgrass cultural systems, turfgrass edaphology, and case studies in turfgrass management. These required courses are supplemented by additional credits selected from a variety of areas to enhance your skills in related fields, such as business management, speech communications, and organic chemistry.

Core course content and activities are available in electronic format, and access to the web is required in order to complete this program.

Supplemental courses in the program are available in a variety of formats. Details about each course's delivery method are available in LionPATH.

Prescribed Courses (49 Credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Development of quantitative problem-solving skills applied to specific examples of agribusiness management problems, using Excel spreadsheets.

    • Prerequisite

      AGBM 101

    • C or better

      A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.

  • 3
    credits

    Introduction to organic chemistry, with emphasis on the properties of organic compounds of biochemical importance. Because of duplication of subject matter, students may not receive credit for both CHEM 202 and CHEM 210.

    • Prerequisite

      CHEM 101 or CHEM 110, CHEM 110H or CHEM 106

  • 3
    credits

    Introduction to entomology and management of insect pests of cold- and warm-season turfgrass.

    • Prerequisite Concurrent

      TURF 235

  • 3
    credits

    Quadratic equations; equation in quadratic form; word problems; graphing; algebraic fractions; negative and rational exponents; radicals.

    • Prerequisite

      MATH 4 or satisfactory performance on the mathematics placement examination.

  • 3
    credits

    Introduction to biology of turfgrass pathogens and management of cool- and warm-season turfgrass.

    • Prerequisite

      TURF 235

  • 3
    credits

    A study of soil properties and processes and relationships to land use, plant growth, environmental quality, and society.

  • 4
    credits

    Descriptive Statistics, frequency distributions, probability and normal distributions, statistical inference, linear regression, and correlation.

    • Prerequisite

      Placement into MATH 21 or higher.

  • 1
    credit

    Covers chemical toxicity, formulations, environmental fate, labels, MSDS, calibration, IPM, safety, handling, storage, and Pennsylvania certification and regulations.

  • 3
    credits

    Characterization of the primary plant species used for sports, lawn and utility turf; includes turfgrass morphology, environmental adaptation, and cultural requirements.

  • 3
    credits

    Introduction to the development of integrated weed management strategies utilizing a variety of cultural and chemical methods.

  • 3
    credits

    A study of irrigation topics with a strong concentration on turfgrass irrigation applications and a focus on surface and subsurface drainage.

    • Prerequisite

      TURF 235

    • Recommend preparation

      MATH 21 and SOILS 101

    • Note

      PLANT 217 may not be substituted for TURF 307 for prescribed course credit.

  • 3
    credits

    A study of turfgrass maintenance practices and how their interrelationships can be utilized to develop management systems.

    • Prerequisite

      TURF 235

    • Recommended preparation

      SOILS 101

  • 3
    credits

    Characterization of soil's physical and chemical properties for the establishment and maintenance of sports turf; includes root zone construction.

    • Prerequisite

      TURF 235

    • Recommend preparation

      SOILS 101

  • 4
    credits

    Study of turfgrass nutrition and growth; emphasizing constructed and mineral soil fertility, nutrient uptake and function, and fertilizer-use efficiency.

    • Prerequisite

      TURF 235

    • Recommended preparation

      SOILS 101

  • 3
    credits

    Case study and discussion considering integrated management of selected turfgrass sites; emphasis on problem analysis, principle application, and decision-making.

    • Prerequisite

      TURF 235 and (TURF 434 or TURF 435)

    • Recommended preparation

      TURF 238 and TURF 425

  • 1
    credit

    Oral presentations developed by students in consultation with the course instructor

    • Prerequisite

      TURF 495

    • Note

      Seventh-semester standing

    • Note

      Prerequisites may be waived by the course instructor if student demonstrates required level of competency.

  • 3
    credits

    Supervised off-campus, nongroup instruction including field experiences, practica, or internships. Written and oral critique of activity required.

    • Prerequisite

      Prior approval of proposed assignment by instructor

Additional Courses (16 credits)

  • 4
    credits

    A study of the fundamental concepts of biology, including the evolution of the major groups of organisms. This is the first biology course taken by students who intend to major in biology. It provides a foundation in the basic concepts that govern life, including the evolutionary processes that have led to the biodiversity seen today.

    • 4
      credits

      Cellular structure, organization, and metabolism; plant anatomy and physiological processes; plant reproduction and development; genetics and evolution; relationships and features of plant groups. Students who have passed BIOL 240W may not schedule this course.

    • 4
      credits

      Introduction to horticulture with an emphasis on plant domestication, morphology, classification, world food crops, commodities, gardens, propagation, and agrochemicals. The course content deals with the fundamental concepts and specialty areas, which contribute not only to the science and technology involved in horticulture but also to the art.

    • 3
      credits

      Writing for students in scientific and technical disciplines.

      • Prerequisite

        ENGL 15, ESL 15, ENGL 30, and 4th Semester standing OR ENGL 137H, ENGL 138T, and 4th Semester standing

    • 3
      credits

      Writing reports and other common forms of business communication.

      • Prerequisite

        (ENGL 15 or ESL 15 or ENGL 30) and 4th-semester standing OR (ENGL 137H and ENGL 138T) and 4th-semester standing

    • 3
      credits

      Nontechnical treatment of fundamentals of modern meteorology and the effects of weather and climate.

    • 3
      credits

      Fundamental principles of synoptic and physical meteorology, satellite and radar imagery, and data analysis in the setting of mid-latitude weather forecasting.

    • 3
      credits

      First semester of a two-semester, comprehensive general chemistry course that introduces students to the basic principles of chemistry with an emphasis on the relationships between the microscopic structure and the macroscopic properties of matter.

      • Prerequisite

        Completion of or placement beyond MATH 22

      • C or better

        A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.

    • 3
      credits

      This course is a one-semester rigorous college-level introductory Chemistry course covering the fundamental principles of general, organic, and biochemistry. One year of high school chemistry is strongly recommended.

      • Prerequisite

        Completion or placement beyond MATH 21

      • C or better

        A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.

Supporting Courses (select 27 credits)

Select credits from each of the two categories under supporting courses to fulfill the requirements: 

  • 15 credits in Professional Management and Economics
  • 12 credits in Professional Agriculture

Electives (select 4 credits)

Elective courses will be chosen in consultation with your adviser.

Note: Listed prerequisites may be waived by the course instructor if you can demonstrate the required level of competency.

General Education Requirements

Some General Education requirements may be satisfied by courses required for the major. Students should work with an adviser to select courses.

  • Arts (GA): 6 credits
  • Humanities (GH): 6 credits
  • Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
  • Natural Sciences (GN): 9 credits
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 6 credits
  • Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
    A student must receive a grade of C or better in GWS courses.
  • Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
    A student must receive a grade of C or better in GQ courses.
  • Integrative Studies: 6 credits
    This requirement only applies to students starting in summer 2018 or later. Learn more about the Integrative Studies options and consult your academic adviser when choosing courses to fulfill these requirements. Integrative Studies credits may be completed within the thirty Knowledge Domain credits and must be completed with either Inter-domain or Linked courses, not a combination of both.

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

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