Spring 2023 Plant and Soil Science Courses
Registration begins on November 15 for seniors. Please connect with your advisor through Navigate and get ready!
Registrars Page
Online courses without pre-requisites:
PSS 096 Home Vegetable Growing, Basics of the main crops, their culture and problems, along with topics such as extending the season, rotations, proper harvest, and storage methods. 2 credits
PSS 096 Pollinators and Perennials, Explore the interactions between perennial plants and pollinators and discuss methods for choosing the best plants to support pollinators. 1 credit. Winter Session Course: Dec 26-Jan 13
In Person Instruction, 3 and 4 credit classes:
PSS 021 SU Intro to Agroecology, Analyzes factors driving current agricultural production systems, the problems associated with the industrial agriculture model, and the variety of approaches and practices for producing food in an ecologically sound and socially just manner.
PSS 028 A Bug's Life, Hybrid 3 credits (Meets in person once weekly) An introduction to the world of insects and their impact on our everyday lives, from the food we eat to solving murder crimes.
PSS 036 Drawing and Painting Botanicals, Drawing and Painting Botanicals is based on the premise that everyone can benefit from improving observation skills and developing an ability to represent what we see through drawing and visual communication.
PSS 037 Living Landscapes, explore conservation and design strategies for restoring healthy ecosystems and building healthy liveable communities
PSS 124 Sustainable Vegetable Crop Production, Instructor Rachel Stievater leads the UVM Farmer Training Program at Catamount Farm, learn from an experienced grower/farmer.
PSS 138 Commercial Plant Propagation, Principles and practices involved in propagating herbaceous and woody plants by seeds, division, layering, cuttings, budding, grafting, and aseptic culture.
PSS 156 Permaculture, Design of agriculturally productive environments that have the diversity, stability, and resilience of the natural biosphere to harmoniously integrate landscape and people
PSS 162 Soil Fertility & Conservation, An ecological approach to soil management including nutrient supply and uptake, rhizosphere-microbial interactions, soil conservation, and nutrient management strategies. Prerequisite: PSS 161 or Instructor permission.
PSS 195 Agriculture and the Environment, Examines the various agricultural practices and policies currently employed by farmers and legislators to mitigate the ecological, social, and economic effects of the industrial agriculture model
PSS 208 Diversified Farm Planning, This course will include lectures covering a range of topics including and introduction to diverse farming systems practiced in Vermont, farm policy, production functions, marketing, and quality of life planning.
PSS 218 Ag Policy and Ethics, This course examines historical, political, ecological, technological, social, economic, and ethical facets of American agriculture, food policies, and the Farm Bill and particularly their effects at the farm level. We will cover US and Vermont agricultural policies.
PSS 225 Eco Frontiers in Agroecology, Examines recent peer-reviewed research that has the potential to transform the productivity or sustainability of agroecosystems
PSS 238 Ecological Landscape Design, Must have taken PSS 138 in Fall. Ecological Landscape Design is a studio course that advances ecological principles in exploring landscape designs that benefit ecosystems and people.
PSS 264 Soil, Water, Pollution Bioremediation, An environmentally oriented study of the colloidal chemistry of soil and its interfaces with roots, water, and air.
PSS 268 Soil Ecology, Underlying concepts and theory of modern soil ecology will be reviewed including spatial and temporal distributions, sampling methods, biogeochemical cycles, and ecological functions of soil
PSS 281 Professional Development, Geared towards current PSS Majors, other students are welcome. Students will develop and articulate a professional philosophy and improve skills in career development including writing, resume preparation, effective interviewing and negotiation.
Graduate and 300 Level On Line Courses
PSS 312 Ecological Foundations of Agroecology, Introductory graduate level course examines the ecological foundations of Agroecology, largely from a biophysical perspective
PSS 314 Agroecology, Food Sovereignty and Social Movements, Investigates social, political, and economic elements of the global food system from multiple perspectives
