BSCI487 - IPM: Science-Based Decision Making for Sustainable Pest Management
BSCI 487 Syllabus & Schedule (4 credits, offered spring semester of even years)
BSCI 487 Syllabus & Schedule (4 credits, offered spring semester of even years)
BSCI 487 Course Overview
Long-term global food security requires a sustainable increase in agricultural productivity to
ensure the availability and accessibility of safe and nutritious food. Agricultural pests reduce
global food production and threaten its sustainability. This course explores sustainable pest
management in agroecosystems using the integrated pest management (IPM) paradigm.
IPM is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests or their
damage through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat
manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties. Pesticides are
used only after monitoring indicates they are needed according to established guidelines,
and treatments are made with the goal of removing only the target organism. Pest control
materials are selected and applied in a manner that minimizes risks to human health,
beneficial and non-target organisms, and the environment. While this course focuses on
pests of agroecosystems, we will also cover pests of structures, ornamentals, nurseries,
greenhouses, and forestry to highlight the diverse applications of the IPM paradigm.
Course Sessions
Tuesday/Thursday 8:00AM-10:45AM
Objectives
Long-term global food security requires a sustainable increase in agricultural productivity to
ensure the availability and accessibility of safe and nutritious food. Agricultural pests reduce
global food production and threaten its sustainability. This course explores sustainable pest
management in agroecosystems using the integrated pest management (IPM) paradigm.
IPM is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests or their
damage through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat
manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties. Pesticides are
used only after monitoring indicates they are needed according to established guidelines,
and treatments are made with the goal of removing only the target organism. Pest control
materials are selected and applied in a manner that minimizes risks to human health,
beneficial and non-target organisms, and the environment. While this course focuses on
pests of agroecosystems, we will also cover pests of structures, ornamentals, nurseries,
greenhouses, and forestry to highlight the diverse applications of the IPM paradigm.
Course Sessions
Tuesday/Thursday 8:00AM-10:45AM
Objectives
- Demonstrate an understanding of the terms, concepts, and approaches used by IPM practitioners.
- Critically think about political, social, economic, and environmental dimensions involved in IPM adoption and pest management decision making.
- Effectively communicate pest management information to stakeholders in writing and via oral presentations.
- Synthesize research-based pest management information, critically evaluate the limits of this information, and provide well-reasoned pest management solutions to stakeholders.
Poster describing integrated pest management techniques and uses.
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ENTM 798B - Writing: The Myth of the "Big Chunk of Time"
Syllabus & Schedule (1 credit, offered spring semester of odd years)
Course Overview
Weekly meetings will focus on short tips and tricks for science writing with the rest of
the class based on activities. The course also functions as a writing accountability
group so make sure to have writing projects (e.g., thesis/dissertation, grant, blog,
proposal). Some flexibility is built into the topics so please let me know if there is
something specific you’d like to discuss (e.g., how to write a critical review for a
journal, how to approach a big writing project).
Course Sessions
Thursday 9:30AM-11:30AM Seminar
Plant Sciences Bldg., Room 4102, Gahan Conference Room
Objectives
Course Overview
Weekly meetings will focus on short tips and tricks for science writing with the rest of
the class based on activities. The course also functions as a writing accountability
group so make sure to have writing projects (e.g., thesis/dissertation, grant, blog,
proposal). Some flexibility is built into the topics so please let me know if there is
something specific you’d like to discuss (e.g., how to write a critical review for a
journal, how to approach a big writing project).
Course Sessions
Thursday 9:30AM-11:30AM Seminar
Plant Sciences Bldg., Room 4102, Gahan Conference Room
Objectives
- Practice writing and editing habits, including time management,
- Develop skills in science writing, peer-editing, and critical review; and
- Develop their own writing process.
