Catalog Description
- Transfer Status
- CSU/UC
- Unit(s)
- 3.00
- Lecture: 34.00 Contact hours/68.00 Out of class hours/102.00 Total hours/2.00 Unit(s)
- Lab: 51.00 Contact hours/0.00 Out of class hours/51.00 Total hours/1.00 Unit(s)
- Total: 85.00 Contact hours/68.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)
Course Description: This course is an introduction to plant science including structure, growth processes, propagation, physiology, growth media, biological competitors, and post-harvest factors of food, fiber, and ornamental plants. (C-ID AG-PS 104).
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
- Describe the scientific method and explain its application in solving problems in plant and soil science.
- Categorize the roles of higher plants in the living world.
- Describe the structural components of higher plants.
- Explain the standard plant propagation methods.
- Describe sexual and asexual reproduction in higher plants.
- Explain photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, and translocation in higher plants.
- Describe the physical and chemical properties of soils.
- Describe the climatic influences on plant growth and development.
- Categorize the biological competitors of higher plants.
- Hypothesize solutions for soil erosion problems.
Course Content
Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic
Lecture
| Topics | Lec Hrs |
|---|---|
The role of higher plants in the living world | 2.00 |
Structure of higher plants | 4.00 |
Naming and classifying plants | 1.00 |
Origin, domestication, and improvement of cultivated plants | 2.00 |
Propagation of plants | 2.00 |
Vegetative and reproductive growth and development | 3.00 |
Photosynthesis, respiration, and translocation | 8.00 |
Soil and soil water | 2.00 |
Soil and water management and mineral nutrition | 2.00 |
Climatic influences on crop production | 2.00 |
Biological competitors of useful plants | 2.00 |
The scientific method | 2.00 |
Crops/harvest practices | 2.00 |
| Total Hours: | 34.00 |
Lab
| Topics | Lab Hrs |
|---|---|
Structure of higher plants | 6.00 |
Naming and classifying plants | 3.00 |
Propagation of plants | 6.00 |
Vegetative and reproductive growth | 6.00 |
Soil and soil water | 6.00 |
Fertilizers and plant nutrient needs | 3.00 |
Biological competitors of useful plants | 3.00 |
Application of the scientific method | 6.00 |
Appropriate technology skills used in Plant Science | 6.00 |
Harvest/post-harvest practices | 6.00 |
| Total Hours: | 51.00 |
Methods of Instruction
- Class Activities
- Discussion
- Homework: Students are required to complete two hours of outside-of-class homework for each hour of lecture
- Laboratory Experiments
- Lecture
Methods of Evaluation
- Exams/Tests
- Research Projects
- Class participation
- Lab Projects
- Written Assignments
Examples of Assignments
Reading Assignments
- Read the chapter on flower and fruit formation in your text. Be prepared to discuss a particular fruit type in class.
- Read an article from a plant journal about the scientific method. Be prepared to discuss the parts of the journal article in class.
Writing Assignments
- Write a 3-4 page lab report on tissue culture.
- Write a 2-3 page paper on the importance of genetics to the selection process of plants.
Out-of-Class Assignments
- Observe a local agricultural crop and describe the production methods in use in a 1-2 page paper.
- Watch a documentary about crop production and summarize in a 1-2 page paper.
Recommended Materials of Instruction
McMahon, M.E. (2019). Hartmann's Plant Science: Growth, Development, and Utilization of Cultivated Plants. Pearson, 4th. 9780135184820.
Bidlack, J. & Jansky, S. (2025). Stern's Introductory Plant Biology. McGraw Hill, 15th. 9781260488623.
Zero Cost Textbook
Michaels T., et al. (2022). The Science of Plants. University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing. (OER). https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/1196
Ha, M., et al. (2022). Botany. ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative. (OER). https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Botany/Botany_(Ha_Morrow_and_Algiers)
Minimum Qualifications
Agricultural Production
Agriculture (Masters Required)
Biological Sciences (Masters Required)