AGECO/PLANT 201: Introductory Agroecology Syllabus

AGECO/PLANT 201: Introductory Agroecology (3 credits). Introduction to the processes and considerations that lead to the development of integrated solutions to crop production problem solving. Students will examine ecological principles across micro and macro scales with an emphasis on concepts important to agriculture. It focuses on organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and landscapes, how they interact, and how different disciplines attempt to employ these interactions. The course highlights ecological processes that can be managed to improve sustainability of agricultural systems.

Prerequisites: TBD

Instructor

Maria de Lima Brossi, Ph.D.
Assistant Research Professor of Microbial-Mediated Plant Nutrition

Department of Plant Science
249 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building
University Park, PA 16802

E-mail: Use Canvas Inbox

Bio and Research Interests

My name is Maria Brossi, and I will be your instructor for AGECO 201. Here is brief background information about me. I was born in Brazil and obtained an undergraduate degree in environmental technology. After that, I earned my Ph.D. in Applied Biology in Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. I have also worked as a postdoctoral researcher and lecturer at the University of Groningen (The Netherlands) in the fields of microbiology and biotechnology. Currently, I work in the Department of Plant Sciences at Penn State. My work involves research on plant physiology as well as graduate student mentoring and teaching. I wish us all a successful and productive semester. Please, do not hesitate to get in touch with me. I will be available to assist with your needs through Canvas and will reply to you in 48 hours maximum (weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Course Overview

This course introduces students to the ecological foundations of sustainable agriculture, emphasizing how biological, physical, and social processes interact within agroecosystems. Through an integrated framework spanning from organisms to landscapes, the course highlights how ecological principles can be applied to enhance the sustainability, resilience, and productivity of agricultural systems. Designed for students seeking to understand agriculture as both a scientific and socioecological system, AGECO 201 combines conceptual learning with applied problem-solving through quizzes, discussions, exams, and a collaborative essay project. By the end of the course, students will be able to identify, evaluate, and design management practices that align agricultural production with ecological integrity and long-term environmental stewardship

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Define general ecological principles and processes applicable in agroecosystems.
2. Describe how ecological processes affect agricultural systems.
3. Apply ecological concepts for agricultural and environmental management.
4. Identify agricultural activities that fit within the science, movement, and practice of agroecology.

Course Outline

Module 1: Agroecosystem Concept and Hierarchies
Module 2: Abiotic Factors, Global Change, and Agriculture
Module 3: Plants: Physiology, Nutrition, and Plant-Soil Feedback
Module 4: Soil Properties and Soil Health
Module 5: Genetic Resources in Agroecosystem
Module 6: Species Interactions in Crop Communities
Module 7: Population Ecology
Module 8: Metapopulation Ecology
Module 9: Trophic Food Webs
Module 10: Invasion Biology
Module 11: Integrated Pest Management 
Module 12: Disturbance and Ecological Succession
Module 13: Community Ecology and Agroecosystem Diversity
Module 14: Transitions to Agroecology and Indicators of Sustainability
Module 15: Sustainable Agriculture – Case Studies

Course Schedule

For due dates, refer to the Course Summary on the Syllabus page in Canvas.

Course Materials

Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check the World Campus Course Catalog approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.

Optional

ISBN: 978-1439895610
Gliessman, S.R., & Engles, E. (2014) Agroecology: The Ecology of Sustainable Food Systems (3rd Edition). CRC Press.

ISBN: 978-0198835851
Mittelbach, G., & McGill, B. (2019) Community Ecology (2nd Edition). Oxford University Press.

Note: These textbooks provide expanded and supplemental materials for the course topics. You are not required to purchase any textbook for this course.

You may purchase course materials from Barnes & Noble College (the bookstore used by Penn State's World Campus). For pricing and ordering information, please see the Barnes & Noble College website. Materials will be available at Barnes & Noble College approximately three weeks before the course begins. Alternatively, you may obtain these texts from other favorite bookstores. Be sure you purchase the edition/publication date listed.

Class Policies and Procedures

The policies and procedures described herein will be strictly enforced to ensure fairness for all students.

Use of Generative AI Tools

This course includes materials that were created in part using generative AI tools. You are not required to use generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Bing AI Chat) to complete this course. You may choose to use generative AI tools for the following cases only:

Researching module topics to expand your own understanding of the module concepts. In this manner, it is like consulting alternate textbooks for explanation of concepts. Remember, however, that the assignments and exams are designed to test your knowledge of the module concepts, using the terminology, and as expressed in the Canvas modules.

Checking the language quality of an essay or long text answer that you have composed. The AI tool can make recommendations for you to improve readability, grammar, and generally make your writing more professional.

If you do use a generative AI tool, you should use Microsoft Copilot on the Penn State enterprise account. Precise mode is recommended.

Use of generative AI tools is not permitted for the following uses in this course:

• composing answers to the questions in assignments and exams with little or no writing and thinking on your part
• looking up answers to quiz and exam questions

Assignments

There are 2 timed exams in this course. Exam I covers information from Modules 1 to 7. Exam II covers information from Modules 8 to 14. Self-paced quizzes at the end of each module of the course are also graded and will help you to test your knowledge and prepare for higher stakes assignments.

In addition, there are cumulative discussion and research writing assignments:

• Discussions: Discussion assignments are designed to help you engage with classmates in exploring and debating course concepts. Prompts encourage you to reflect on course topics and connect them to your and your classmates' experiences and research beyond the classroom.
• 3-part essay: In this activity, students will work together in groups of 3–4 people to develop an original essay on a topic directly related to agroecology. The topic will be selected from a list of ten key subjects.
  • Part 1: Group and topic choice and short introduction of the topic (approximately 5-minute recording).
  • Part 2: Submission of a written essay (approximately 3,000 words).
  • Part 3: Presentation of the essay (around 20 minute recording). Each group member must present a portion of the work.

Please see Canvas for additional details. 

Note: No late submissions will be accepted. If you are ill or otherwise unable to turn in your work by the deadline in Canvas, it is your responsibility to discuss alternative due dates with the instructor.

Grading Policy

The following table is the grading criteria for the course.

The following table is the grading scheme for the course.

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

NOTE: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please see "Graduation" under World Campus Student Resources.

Online Students Use of the Library

As Penn State World Campus students, you have access to many of the materials that the library offers to students. The library website has a lot to offer, but can be overwhelming. A guide has been created to serve as your introduction to important library resources, services, and important pages within the library. The Online Student Library Guide is updated regularly by the online librarian and is intended to provide a level of comfort through an introduction to help you feel comfortable navigating the library website to find valuable information for your coursework.

Support Services

If you encounter difficulties, be sure to use your Penn State support network. As a Penn State student, you have access to a variety of services and resources, including advising, tutoring, library services, career services, and more.

Please visit the Student Affairs PSU site for more information.

If you experience technology problems of any kind in Canvas, please select the Help icon and select "Report a Canvas Problem," "Chat with Support," or "Call Support." It is in your own best interest to be as specific as you possibly can. Vague descriptions of a problem only delay assistance. Try to include information such as: the specific course page, quiz question, etc. you were on; what you attempted to do when that failed; the exact language of any error message displayed on your screen; the date and time when your problem occurred; and any other pertinent information (does the problem happen consistently and always in the same way, etc.).

Technical Requirements

This course is offered online and it is assumed you possess the minimum system requirements and computing skills to participate effectively. A list of technical requirements is listed on World Campus' Penn State Technical Requirements page.

Minimum Skills

• You should have an understanding of basic computer usage (creating folders/directories, switching between programs, formatting and backing up media, accessing the internet).
• You must be able to conduct word processing tasks such as creating, editing, saving, and retrieving documents.
• You must be able to use a web browser to open web pages, download files, and search the internet.
• You must be able to use an e-mail program to send and receive messages and to attach and download documents/files.
• You must be able to download and install programs or plug-ins from the internet.

Penn State Policies

Login 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.

Course Availability

Your course will be available to you beginning the first day of class and will remain open for one year. After one year the course will close.

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According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity, an academic integrity violation is "an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically." Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.

Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean's List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.

You can learn more at The College of Agricultural Sciences Academic Integrity Information for Students.

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In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.

Accommodations for Military Personnel

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 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.