Teaching
Introduction
The following on-line courses are currently offered through WSU Turfgrass Science. For information on the entire Turfgrass Management program offered in Pullman click on Pullman Turgrass Management.
Courses
Turfgrass Management Environmental Issues: CropS 317 (3 hrs.)
Dr. Gwen K. Stahnke, Instructor
E-mail: stahnke@wsu.edu
Course Content
Tentative yearly schedule: Alternate springs beginning in 2011.
A 1-semester, 3-hour distance education course covering current golf course, athletic field and other public turfgrass area management practices for turfgrass students and professionals. Prerequisite is CropS 301 or equivalent with instructor's approval.
Objectives
To teach or refresh current golf course, athletic field and public turfgrass management practices (BMP's) to turfgrass students and turfgrass industry professionals.
Methodology
The course will consist of assignments made available via distance education on the Internet, weekly discussions in which participation is mandatory for learning purposes with bulletin boards to post assignments online. There will also be one major project due the last week of class to tie all the subject matter together.
- Week 1: Intro to Internet Coursework
- Week 2 & 3: Best Management Practices and Grasses
- Week 4, 5 & 6: Best Management Practices for Weeds and Insects
- Week 7, 8 & 9: Disease Identification and Management
- Week 10, 11 & 12: Best Management Practices for Fertility
- Week 13 & 14: Cultural Practices and Irrigation
- Week 15: Summary Project
Instructional Basis for Evaluation
There will be an exercise on the Internet with each lesson. Doing these exercises will count for 60% of the grade. Participation in discussions will count for 30% of the grade. The final assignment for week 15 will help tie all the Best Management Plans together, which will be 10% of grade.
Grading Scale
The class will use the standard grading scale as follows:
| A | 94 to 100% | B | 84 to 86% | C | 74 to 76% | D | 64 to 66% |
| A- | 90 to 93% | B- | 80 to 83% | C- | 70 to 73% | D- | 60 to 63% |
| B+ | 87 to 89% | C+ | 77 to 79% | D+ | 67 to 69% | F | Less than 60% |
Required Texts
Check with The Bookie first. If not available there, you should be able to buy books online from Amazon.com or GCSAA.org or from www.wiley.com under Architecture and Design » Turfgrass Management.
- Sports Fields: A Manual for Design Construction and Maintenance, Puhalla, James, James Krans and Mike Goatley, Wiley, www.wiley.com, 1999 or 2010 2nd Edition (approx. cost $79.00 for 1999 and $110 for 2010), ISBN: 1-57504-070-0.
- Turfgrass Management for Golf Courses, J. B. Beard, 2004, 2nd. Edition, Ann Arbor Press, Chelsea, MI., approx. $125.
- Research journal and industry journal articles will be provided for reading and discussion as appropriate for individual topics.
Recommended Texts
- Turfgrass Management, A. J. Turgeon, Sixth Edition, 2006, Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, 07458.
- Destructive Turfgrass Pests, Potter, 1998, Ann Arbor Press, Chelsea, Michigan, 48118.
- IPM Handbook for Golf Courses, Schumann, Vittum, Elliot & Cobb, 1998, Ann Arbor Press, Chelsea, Michigan, 48118 approx. $65.
- Turfgrass, ASA Monograph No. 32, Waddington, Carrow & Shearman (eds.),1992, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wisconsin.
Reading Materials
Weeks 1, 2 & 3: Golf Course Best Management Practices and Turfgrass Species
- TM for GC: Chapter 1 pgs. 31-37, Turfgrass Selection in Chapters 3, 4, 5 and 6
- Athletic Fields: Chapters 1 and 17 (artificial turf)
Weeks 4, 5 & 6: Fertilizer, Weed and Insect Best Management Practices (IPM)
- TM for GC: Chapter 10 (first part)
- Athletic Fields: Chapters 3, 9 and 24, and PNW0240
Week 7, 8 & 9: Disease Identification and Management Practices (IPM)
- TM for GC: Chapter 10 (last part)
- Athletic Fields: Chapters 3, 7 and 8
Week 10, 11 & 12: Soil Cultivation, Rolling and Topdressing Practices
- TM for GC: Chapters 3, 4, 5 and 6, Summary of Cultural Systems for each part of the GC
- Athletic Fields: Chapters 4, 5, 6 and 12
Week 13 & 14: Mowing and Irrigation Practices
- TM for GC: Chapter 9
- IPM: Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 (relevant sections)
- Athletic Fields: Chapters 4, 5, 6 and 12
- Begin working on final project.
Week 15: Site Establishment and Renovation and Wrap-up
- TM for GC: Chapters 3, 4, 5 and 6 (Planting and rootzone mixing and establishment)
- Athletic Fields: Chapters 19, 20, 21 and 22
- Final Project due at end of week. Use chapters for project.
Students with Disabilities
Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. If you have a disability and may need accommodations to fully participate in this class, please visit the Disability Resource Center (DRC). All accommodations MUST be approved through the DRC (Admin Annex Building, Room 205). Please stop by or call 509-335-3417 to make an appointment with a disability specialist.If you have any questions, please contact Rosie Pavlov at pavlovr@wsu.edu or 509-332-3417.
Computer System Requirements:
You will need access to the Internet using the most current version of either Netscape/Mozilla or Internet Explorer.
Online Registration:
Register Online at: http://online.wsu.edu and follow links to registration.
For more information on registration and course fees, contact: Debbie Whitney (whitneyd@wsu.edu), WSU Online (1-800-222-4978).