TURF 853 Syllabus

Interpretation of Turfgrass Literature

TURF 853 Interpretation of Turfgrass Literature (3): Introduction to the scientific literature in turfgrass science and critically review the articles to acquire new insights and incorporate them into turfgrass cultural management programs.

Instructor

Dr. Wakar Uddin
Professor of Plant Pathology
101 Buckhout Laboratory
University Park, PA 16802
Email: Use ANGEL E-mail

Educational/Professional Background

• B.S., Integrated Pest Management , University of Nevada
• M.S., Integrated Pest Management, University of Nevada
• Ph.D., Plant Pathology, University of Georgia

Research Interests

My research program involves management of gray leaf spot of perennial ryegrass turf caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, through applications of the principles of plant disease epidemiology and biology of the pathogen. The epidemiological research focuses on the influence of environmental conditions on development of gray leaf spot under various turfgrass management practices. Research on biology of the pathogen entails characterization of the population structure of Magnaporthe grisea in various geographic regions of the United States.

A second component of my research program encompasses Colletotrichum graminicola associated with anthracnose basal rot disease of annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass in putting greens. Population biology of C. graminicola remains the centerpiece of my research on the pathogen. Studies on epidemiology and integrated management of the disease constitute the principal components of my research on anthracnose basal rot disease.

Fungicidal control of various foliar and root diseases of turfgrasses is also a significant part of my research program. I maintain a collaborative research with the fungicide industry for development of a sustainable disease management program as part of an integrated turfgrass disease management strategy.

Overview

This course will provide students with an ability to critically review the scientific literature in turfgrass science available in selected research journals and industry magazines (e.g., Crop Science, Agronomy Journal, Plant Disease) and professional magazines (e.g., Golf Course Management, USGA Green Section Record).  As this course is intended for field practitioners who access the scientific literature for the purpose of acquiring new insights and skills that they will be able to incorporate into their turfgrass cultural programs.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of Turf 853, the students will learn to determine if:

• The conclusions drawn by the author are adequately supported by the results obtained from the research.
• There are statistically significant differences among treatment means in a table of data.
• The statistical procedures employed to identify the trends or line fits for prediction of treatment responses were suitable.
• The scientific methods employed were appropriate with respect to the specific research objectives.
• The review of scientific literature in the introduction and the discussion sections of the article were sufficient to place the investigation in a meaningful context so that the research makes a meaningful contribution to turfgrass science and/or technology.

Assignments/Exams

Grading

Grading Scale

Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Undergraduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies.

Course Schedule

Website

ANGEL: https://cms.psu.edu

PSU Policies

Log-In Policy:

Students are expected to log-in regularly to keep up-to date with announcements, discussions, etc. The class will progress at a regular pace throughout the semester and there are specific due dates and times for assignments, etc.

Academic Integrity:

Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this principle. Consistent with this expectation, students should act with personal integrity, respect other students' dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts. Academic integrity includes a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the fundamental ethical principles of the University community and compromise the worth of work completed by others (see Faculty Senate Policy 49-20 and G-9 Procedures) http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/conduct/codeofconduct

Read the Academic Integrity Guidelines for the College of Agricultural Sciences

A lack of knowledge or understanding of the University’s Academic Integrity policy and the types of actions it prohibits and/or requires does not excuse one from complying with the policy. Penn State and the College of Agricultural Sciences take violations of academic integrity very seriously. Faculty, alumni, staff and fellow students expect each student to uphold the University’s standards of academic integrity both in and outside of the classroom.

Disability Access Statement:

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. If you have a disability-related need for reasonable academic adjustments in this course, contact the Office for Disability Services (ODS) at 814-863-1807 (V/TTY). For further information regarding ODS, please visit the Office for Disability Services Web site at http://equity.psu.edu/ods/.

In order to receive consideration for course accommodations, you must contact ODS and provide documentation (see the documentation guidelines at http://equity.psu.edu/ods/guidelines/). If the documentation supports the need for academic adjustments, ODS will provide a letter identifying appropriate academic adjustments. Please share this letter and discuss the adjustments with your instructor as early in the course as possible. You must contact ODS and request academic adjustment letters at the beginning of each semester.

Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or spouses with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, disabilities, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.

Use of Trade Names:

Where trade names are used, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the World Campus, Outreach and Cooperative Extension, the College of Agricultural Sciences, or The Pennsylvania State University is implied.

Subject to Change Statement:

Please note that this Course Syllabus is subject to change. Students are responsible for abiding by such changes.