This page was designed for view with the newer family of browsers. Please pardon the unstyled format of this page.

Office of the University Registrar

2009-10 Undergraduate Catalog

Course Descriptions



College of Agricultural and Life Sciences


AGG 3501 Environment, Food and Society
Credits: 3.

Global issues and trends in population growth, natural resource (soil, water and plant genetic biodiversity) utilization, climate change and potential impacts of current trends on agriculture, natural resources, global food security and sustainability. (B)

AGR 2332 Seeds of Change
Credits: 3.

An introductory course that focuses on the role of genetically-altered plants in agriculture, the environment, foods and medicine. (B)

AGR 3005 Principles of Crop Science
Credits: 3.

Introduction to the principles and practices of field crop production. (B)

AGR 3005L Crop Science Laboratory
Credits: 1; Coreq: AGR 3005 (not required).

Hands-on introduction to practical principles of plant science, especially field crop plants and how they respond to their environment. This independent lab can be taken with AGR 3005 for a more practical approach to plant responses to environmental factors.

AGR 3303 Genetics
Credits: 3; Prereq: basic course in biology, botany or zoology.

The science and physical basis of inheritance, genes as units of heredity and development, and the qualitative and quantitative aspects of genetic variation. (B)

AGR 3931C Plant Science Information
Credits: 2.

Information retrieval, using campus library facilities and electronic communications through the Internet, followed by organization and synthesis of that information for presentation in written and oral formats customarily used in professional agricultural organizations.

AGR 4212 Alternative Cropping Systems
Credits: 3.

Examination of alternative cropping systems, focusing on issues of sustainability, against a backdrop of trends occurring in "conventional" agriculture.

AGR 4214C Applied Field Crop Production
Credits: 3.

Students will plant and manage a group of field crops. Experience in soil sampling, interpretation of nutrient and nematode test results, fertilization, pest control and harvesting will be gained. Students will submit a term report.

AGR 4231C Forage Science and Range Management
Credits: 4.

Scientific and technological developments in the selection, production and utilization of forage crops, and in the development and management of grazing areas. (B)

AGR 4268C Sustainable Agriculture Systems Analysis
Credits: 3; Prereq: AGR 3005 or SWS 3022.

An introduction to the use of PC-based tools for improving agricultural production and environmental quality. Focus is on food security, environmental quality and sustainable agriculture.

AGR 4321 Plant Breeding
Credits: 3; Prereq: AGR 3303 or PCB 3063.

The science and technology of plant improvement.

AGR 4512 Physiology and Ecology of Crops
Credits: 3; Prereq: AGR 3005 or the equivalent.

An introduction to the fundamental processes of crop plants, as well as the environmental and physical limitations to crop growth, development and yield. Focus is on physiology and ecology of agronomic crop plants. (B)

AGR 4905 Individual Study
Credits: 1 to 3; Prereq: minimum of one course in agronomy and instructor permission.

Scientific study of individual problems in crop production, weed science, genetics or plant breeding.

AGR 4909 Honors Project
Credits: 1 to 6; Prereq: admitted to the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences' honors program. Coreq: 3.5 GPA or greater.

An individual special project course restricted to students in the College of Agricultural and Life Science' Honors Program. Students will complete a project on a topic, issue, or problem. Projects may relate to research, teaching or extension.

AGR 4922 Integrated Agriculture Travel Course
Credits: 3; Prereq: AGG 3501 or AGR 3005 or AGR 4214C.

Students participate in a 10-day trip to an area of USA noted for crop production. Visits are made to a wide variety of agribusiness interests.

AGR 4932 Agronomy Topics
Credits: 1 to 3; maximum 8 credits.

Critical review of selected topics in specific agronomic areas.

PCB 2441 Biological Invaders
Credits: 3.

An introduction to plants and animals that are invading Florida and the U.S. Learn why biological invaders are second only to habitat destruction as threats to natural ecosystems, what makes some species invasive, how to control or prevent invasions, where international commerce may be regulated, and who is affected by such issues. (B)

PLS 2002 Pests, Pesticides and People
Credits: 3.

The role and use of pesticides in contemporary society; agriculture, urban pest control and public health. Characteristics of pesticide classes, how they work, toxicity, degradation, regulation and related environmental issues. (B)

PLS 2003C Plants That Feed the World
Credits: 3.

Introduction to 25 of humankind's most important food crop plants with emphasis on soil and climatic adaptations, major producers and consumers, nutritional attributes, processing needs and types of products. Students will see the plants and seeds, as well as food and industrial products of the crop plants under study. This is an introductory course for majors and non-majors who have no previous academic experience with food crop plants. (B)

PLS 4343C Identification and Ecology of Aquatic Plants
Credits: 3; Prereq: refer to the department.

Identification and ecology of aquatic plants. Emphasis placed on use of taxonomic keys for identification. Factors influencing development and growth of aquatic plant communities will be related to plants identified.

PLS 4353C Culture and Production of Aquatic Plants
Credits: 3; Prereq: refer to the department.

Environmental, physical, nutritional, and ecological factors influencing culture and production of aquatic plant growth. Commercial production techniques will be emphasized. Aquatic plants will be evaluated for use in ecosystems and wetland restoration.

PLS 4404C Principles of Composting Technology
Credits: 3.

Principles that influence the humification of organic matter under controlled conditions, emphasizing factors related to successful utilization of compost in horticultural production, analytical methods of compost quality determinators and regulatory aspects of compost product use.

PLS 4601C Principles of Weed Science
Credits: 3.

An introduction to basic and applied aspects of weed science. Topics will include weed biology and ecology, herbicide physiology and weed control techniques. The lab will cover weed identification, herbicide application technology and other aspects of weed science.

PLS 4613 Aquatic Weed Control
Credits: 3; Prereq: refer to the department.

Florida's aquatic weed problems and methods of chemical, biological, mechanical and physical weed control. Topics include plant biology/ecology, herbicide residue, lake reclamation, fish-plant interactions and laws regulating aquatic weed control.



General Education Categories
Consult Schedule of Courses for specific information.

  • Biological Sciences (B)
  • Composition (C)
  • Diversity (D)*
  • Humanities (H)
  • International (N)*
  • Mathematics (M)
  • Physical Sciences (P)
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (S)

* Students who entered UF prior to Summer B 2007 and/or whose catalog year is not 2007-08: Current students who have not already completed six hours of "I" - international/diversity credits can do so now by taking "D" and "N" courses.

Symbols Used in Course Descriptions

  • (WR) indicates the course satisfies the writing requirement.
  • (MR) indicates the course satisfies the math requirement.
  • (S-U) indicates the course may be taken on a satisfactory-unsatisfactory basis.
  • Refer to the Schedule of Courses for specific information.