Horticulture Course Descriptions
Introduction to Phytotechnology:
Provides an overview of innovative technologies that use plants to clean water, soil, air, and build sustainable ecosystem services in managed (urban and rural) landscapes. Discusses conventional practices used to measure and treat quantity/quality of water, soil and air; the common pollutants found in each; and the impacts on our environmental, social, and economic well-being. Explores environmental factors, horticultural practices, and physiological mechanisms that affect plant growth and response to pollution in phytotechnology applications. Introduces the range of career opportunities in this highly multi-disciplinary field.
Fundamentals of Plant Biology:
Covers the basic structure, life cycles, genetics, and functions of plants. Meets a science with lab requirement for non-science majors. Serves as background for students in the Horticulture and Viticulture programs.
Environmental Science 1, 2, 3:
Introduces basic principles of ecology and environmental science and examines environmental problems and issues concerning human population growth.
Examines environmental problems and issues related to resource use and management such as deforestation, global warming, soil erosion, water and food shortages, the loss of biodiversity, and energy issues.
Examines environmental problems and issues related to environmental contamination such as air and water pollution, solid waste and pesticide use. Explores relationships between environmental problems and other aspects of society.
Introductory Microbiology:
Surveys the history, anatomy and physiology of microorganisms emphasizing their impact on society. Examines microbe anatomy, metabolism, growth, genetics, taxonomy, selected diseases affecting humans and plants, immunity, and microbial control. Covers food microbiology, industrial microbiology, agricultural microbiology and environmental microbiology with applications to grape growing, winemaking, and standard microbiological laboratory techniques.
Urban Stormwater Treatment and System Design:
Focuses on how to use the environmental services plants provide to treat and manage stormwater in urban settings. Analyzes the environmental challenges and stresses present in urban landscapes. Examines technical criteria for site evaluation, design, and construction of raingardens, greenstreets, bioswales, stormwater detention features, and other engineered green space. Evaluates plant propagation, growth and management requirements for functional performance in these systems. Reviews the role of plants, horticulture, and integrated landscapes in urban sustainability.
College Chemistry 1, 2, 3:
Introduces the fundamentals of chemistry for students majoring in fields other than chemistry. Examines the interrelationships of chemistry to all disciplines of science. Covers scientific method, atomic theory, stoichiometry, energy, periodicity, atomic structure, and bonding. First of a three term sequence.
Provides basic understanding of molecular compound formations, changes of state, solutions and reaction rates. Covers quantitative composition; stoichiometry; the gaseous state; acids, bases and salts; oxidation-reduction reactions; nuclear chemistry; chemical equilibrium; and introduction to organic chemistry. Second of a three-term sequence.
Continues organic chemistry including aliphatic, aromatics, function groups and their reactions, structure and chemistry of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Third of a three-term sequence.
Ecological Problem Solving:
This is a hands-on, experience-based course focusing on critical thinking skills for shifting paradigms in sustainable natural resource management. Our reference point for this course will be the field of horticulture and plants, but we will actively address intersection points with issues in each of three global environmental areas of concern- water, climate, and waste. We will review both conventional approaches and ecological approaches. We will use current literature, discussion, activities, and site tours to learn about gathering information from direct sensory input; fragmentation and integration of landscape processes; sustainability measures; waste as a functional resource; major energy inputs for horticulture industries; carbon accounting; decentralized versus centralized water treatment systems; and mechanical versus ecological management strategies. We will look at the difference between designing for change, using the dynamic cyclical nature of natural processes, as opposed to designing for control, with an expectation of stasis in the final products. We will explore how we decide where the boundary is between dirty and clean. We will develop a checklist and protocol for ecological problem solving in urban/natural interfaces. This course offers provocative environmental literacy for students in all fields- sciences and humanities.
Plant Selection for Phytotechnology:
Develops functional criteria for plant selection for phytotechnology projects. Investigates the debate among native and non-native plant supporters. Explores uses of native and non-native plants in both natural and constructed environments for low impact landscaping, habitat restoration, and ecosystem services. Compares and contrasts ecosystem services provided by native versus non-native plants. Discusses physiological characteristics, history, impacts, and alternative uses of invasive plant species. Analyzes current and future market opportunities for native and non-native plants.
Soils, Media, Nutrition:
Introduces physical, chemical and biological properties of soils and soilless media. Covers essential plant nutrients, fertilizers and fertilization practices. Discusses soil/water relationships and soil conservation and improvement. Assesses Willamette Valley soils for nursery crop production.
Wetland Plant Identification:
Defines wetlands and compares/contrasts them to wet landscape features. Demonstrates plant adaptations for wet environments. Utilizes frequent field trips to identify wetland plants in these categories: trees and shrubs, herbaceous and emergent, aquatic, and ornamental water garden. Distinguishes native wetland plants from invasive species. Develops plant suggestions for various functional landscape applications.
Marketing of Plant Ecological Services:
Portrays the ecosystem services that plants provide in managed landscapes. Explores current work being done to quantify these services for economic valuation. Discusses the challenges and benefits of putting a price tag on ecological services. Conveys the current national and local status of ecosystem service market establishment. Examines methods used in wholesale/retail to market the functional (as opposed to aesthetic) qualities of plants. Contrasts functional marketing strategies with conventional marketing in horticulture.
Greenroof/Living Wall Design and Management:
Introduces the uses, functions, benefits, and components of green roofs and living walls, with emphasis on their role in a comprehensive and sustainable urban stormwater management plan. Reviews the use of plants to treat water quality and quantity, sequester carbon, insulate buildings, and provide habitat. Examines technical criteria and skills needed to design and construct greenroofs and living walls. Includes planting of a demonstration greenroof and living wall. Evaluates plant growth and management requirements for functional performance in these systems.
Wetland Design and Management:
Describes wetland types and compares native and constructed wetlands. Explores wetland functions and benefits to the environment and economy. Introduces the wetland construction permitting process. Evaluates design criteria for newly constructed wetlands, including plant propagation and selection and treatment strategies. Reviews landscape management challenges with wetlands and strategies for achieving multiple goals. Presents wetland case studies.
Sustainable Landscape Design:
Provides students with basic skills for designing residential and light commercial landscapes. Focuses on sustainable principles, including energy, soil, and water conservation and treatment applications. Introduces fundamental concepts for formulation of a landscape design. Identifies and describes the art and principles of design. Surveys various plants and hardscape materials. Establishes desired uses for public and private outdoor spaces. Explores issues of budget considerations and client needs, while minimizing negative impacts on the future environment.
Phytotechnology Landscape Practicum:
Applies technical skills for maintaining or creating phytotechnology features in the campus landscape, including pruning, weed monitoring, drainage and erosion control, and restoration. Provides practical experience with existing or new features, such as stormwater detention facilities, raingardens, medicinal gardens, bioswales, floating island research, and campus wooded areas. Includes development of maintenance schedules; assessment of need and costs for new features; assistance with site assessment or construction; and training for leading tours.
Phytoremediation Research Survey:
Reviews current scientific research relating to the use of plants to remediate water, soil, or air. Defines common vocabulary used in phytoremediation research. Identifies requirements for publication in technical journals. Introduces professional networks, associations, or societies for this field. Summarizes the status of major areas of current and future research.
Edible Crops in Urban Landscapes:
Demonstrates how to grow a diverse variety of edible crops in any landscape, making use of small spaces and limited resources. Utilizes sustainable horticultural and ecological practices to manage soil health, weed, and pest control. Adapts permaculture concepts to spaces with unique challenges. Emphasizes full-circle recycling of resources, using the waste output from one process to feed the input of another process. Designs edible landscapes to provide as many integrated functions as possible, including water management, nutrient cycling, pollinator support, and temperature mitigation.
IPM: Weeds:
Presents an integrated approach to weed management in the nursery, greenhouse, and landscape. Reviews weed biology and ecology. Emphasizes identification, monitoring, and assessment of common weeds. Focuses on prevention, sanitation, and cultural practices to manage weed problems. Covers preemergent and postemergent application of herbicides. Explores selective functional uses for weeds.
Innovative Strategies for Water Management in Nurseries:
Explores conventional and innovative water management systems that provide adequate quantity and quality of irrigation while protecting the environment and other local resources. Evaluates the benefits and challenges of using either recirculated water or reclaimed wastewater to grow plants. Examines phytotechnologies that can be applied on a nursery/greenhouse scale, such as vegetated filter strips, 'living machines,' hydroponic tanks, floating islands, or wetland ponds.