Crop and Soil Science Course List

Graduate Courses

CSS 438. Exploring World Agriculture (2 Credits)

Exploring World Agriculture is a course that allows students to learn about the agriculture of a specific location. The course identifies a geographic location and then investigates and researches the crop, livestock, food production, and related factors of that area. History, culture and political impacts are presented. The course invites OSU and community members with expertise in the selected geographic location to instruct the class.
Term(s): Spring
University Catalog

CSS 501. Research (1-16 Credits)

Term(s): Fall, Winter, Spring
University Catalog

CSS 503. Thesis (1-16 Credits)

OTHER PREREQS: Masters-level graduate students.
Term(s): Fall, Winter, Spring
University Catalog

CSS 505. Reading and Conference (1-16 Credits)

Term(s): Fall, Winter, spring
University Catalog

CSS 506. Projects (1-16 Credits)

Term(s): Fall, Winter, Spring
University Catalog

CSS 507. Seminar (1 Credits)

Term(s): Fall, Winter, spring
University Catalog

CSS 508. Workshop (1-16 Credits)

Evaluation and judging of soils in Oregon and other states; directed studies of soil morphology, soil survey, soil fertility, soil physics, soil chemistry, soil biology, and soil information systems.
University Catalog

CSS 509. Practicum in Teaching (1-3 Credits)

Developing skills and competence in teaching soil science under staff supervision; organization and presentation of instructional material by assisting in laboratory, recitation, and lectures.
Term(s): Fall, Winter, Spring
University Catalog

CSS 513. Properties, Processes, and Functions of Soils (4 Credits)

Physical, chemical, biological, and landscape properties; processes of fluid retention and movement, weathering and cation exchange, decomposition and C-N dynamics, erosion and sedimentation; functions of hydrologic regulation, nutrient cycling, environmental protection, ecological habitat. PREREQ: Chemistry.
Term(s): Fall
University Catalog

CSS 515. Soil Fertility Management (3 Credits)

Management of plant nutrients in agronomic systems; diagnosis of nutrient availability and prediction of crop response to fertilizers; interactions between nutrient response and chemical, physical and biological properties of soils. PREREQ: CSS 315. REQ: Courses in statistics, chemistry and plant physiology. Offered alternate years.
Term(s): Spring
University Catalog

CSS 520. Seed Science and Technology (3 Credits)

Principles of seed quality testing including mechanical purity, genetic trait identification, viability, vigor, and seed pathology. Laboratory will provide practical application of lecture topics. OTHER PREREQS: CSS 300 or equivalent. CSS 363 is recommended.
University Catalog

CSS 523. Principles of Stable Isotopes (3 Credits)

An introduction to the theory and use of stable isotopes. Applications of stable isotopes to soil science, plant physiology, hydrology, and ecosystem studies.
Term(s): Winter 2010, and subsequently in alternate years
University Catalog

CSS 525. Mineral-Organic Matter Interactions (3 Credits)

Studies the fundamental properties of the mineral-organic interface and the mechanisms of interaction between mineral and organic soil properties. OTHER PREREQS: CSS 305 or equivalent.
Term(s): Spring
University Catalog

CSS 530. Plant Genetics (3 Credits)

Theories and principles; polyploidy; qualitative and quantitative inheritance. PREREQ: CSS 300, HORT 201, BI 203. CROSSLISTED as HORT 430/530.
Term(s): Winter
University Catalog

CSS 535. Soil Physics (3 Credits)

Theoretical elements of soil physical properties and related to agricultural, hydrological and environmental problems. Requires concurrent: CSS 536. PREREQ: CSS 305, REC: MTH 241, CH 123, PH 201, or equivalent.
Term(s): Fall
University Catalog

CSS 536. Vadose Zone Hydrology Laboratory (1 Credits)

Experimental elements of soil physical properties and processes allowing practical experience in the measurement and analysis of soil physical processes related to agricultural, hydrological and environmental problems. Weekly laboratory. PREREQ: CH 123 or PH 201, or equivalent.
Term(s): Fall
University Catalog

CSS 540. Weed Management (4 Credits)

Principles of weed control by cultural, biological, and chemical means; weed identification; introduction to herbicides and factors influencing their use. PREREQ: One year biological science and one course in organic chemistry. Lec/lab.
Term(s): Fall
University Catalog

CSS 545. Geochemistry of Soil Ecosystems (4 Credits)

Structural chemistry of clay minerals and organic matter cation and anion exchange, soil solution equilibria, solubility, redox reactions, biogeochemical weathering, acidity, soil salinity, and chemical reactions affecting the transport of reactive solutes through soils. Optional lab, CSS 447/547 is available. PREREQ: CH 123, PH 201, and CSS 305 recommended.
Term(s): Winter
University Catalog

CSS 546. Soil Geochemistry Laboratory (1 Credits)

Measurement of soil properties and processes which influence the transport of nutrients and organic compounds through the soil environment. PREREQ: CH 123, PH 201.
Term(s): Winter
University Catalog

CSS 550. Plant Breeding (4 Credits)

An introduction to the genetic improvement of self- pollinated, cross-pollinated, and asexually propagated species and the genetic principles on which breeding methods are based. Examples are drawn from a wide range of crops, including cereal grains, grasses, fruits, nuts, and vegetables; guest lecturers discuss their breeding programs. Additional topics include crop evolution, germplasm preservation, disease resistance, and biotechnology. PREREQ: BI 311 or CSS 430/CSS 530. CROSSLISTED as HORT 450/HORT 550.
Term(s): Spring
University Catalog

CSS 555. Biology of Soil Ecosystems (4 Credits)

A detailed study of the organisms that live in the soil and their activities in the soil ecosystems, soil as a habitat for organism, taxonomy and biology of soil organisms, fundamentals of nutrient cycles, special topics in soil biology, review basis of soil microbial and ecological principles. PREREQ: CSS 305. REC: Courses in chemistry, physics, and microbiology.
Term(s): Winter
University Catalog

CSS 560. Seed Production (3 Credits)

Examination of principles and management systems required to produce high quality seed. Fundamentals of seed crop biology and production methods are stressed. Concepts are illustated using Pacific Northwest seed crops. PREREQ: CSS 200 or equivalent.
Term(s): Spring
University Catalog

CSS 566. Soil Morphology and Classification (4 Credits)

Observation and description of soil properties in the field; writing soil profile descriptions; evaluating criteria that define features used to classify soils; using soil classification keys. PREREQ: CSS 305.
Term(s): Spring
University Catalog

CSS 568. Soil Landscape Analysis (4 Credits)

Principles of soil geomorphology, soil stratigraphy, and surficial processes as applied to understanding the soil system at landscape scales. Emphasis on field observations of soils, geomorphic surfaces, and environment. Field project entails design of soil survey map units, field mapping and GIS cartographic techniques. PREREQS: CSS 566
Term(s): Spring
University Catalog

CSS 570. Seed Quality Management (3 Credits)

University Catalog

CSS 580. Case Studies in Cropping Systems Management (4 Credits)

Decision cases involving the production of field and horticultural crops; individual and group activities; discussion of the decision-making process. Multiple field trips required. PREREQ: HORT/CSS 300, Senior standing in Agriculture. CROSSLISTED as HORT 480/580. (Writing Intensive Course).
Term(s): Spring
University Catalog

CSS 590. Experimental Design in Agriculture (4 Credits)

Field layout, analysis, and interpretation of basic experimental designs used in agronomy and plant breeding and including field plot techniques such as optimum plot size and shape, factorial arrangement, replication, sub-sampling, randomization, and blocking. Recitation provides practical experience with SAS. PREREQ: STAT351 or equivalent.
Term(s): Winter
University Catalog

CSS 598. Plant Chromosome Biology (3 Credits)

Exploration of the relationship between chromosome number, structure, and behavior to gene inheritance, organization, and expression. Discussion of chromosome manipulation strategies for genomics research, genetic analysis, and plant breeding.
University Catalog

CSS 599. Professional Development: Job Seeking (1 Credits)

Term(s): Varies
University Catalog

CSS 599. Professional Development: Writing (1 Credits)

Term(s): Varies
University Catalog

CSS 599. Special Topics in Crop and Soil Science (1 Credits)

Technical knowledge and skills development courses offered in a wide array of course formats. Topics vary from term to term and year to year. May be repeated for credit when topics differ.
Term(s): Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
University Catalog

CSS 601. Research (1-16 Credits)

Term(s): Fall, Winter, Spring
University Catalog

CSS 603. Thesis (1-16 Credits)

OTHER PREREQS: PhD-level graduate students.
Term(s): Fall, Winter, spring
University Catalog

CSS 605. Reading and Conference (1-16 Credits)

Term(s): Fall, Winter, Spring
University Catalog

CSS 606. Projects (1-16 Credits)

University Catalog

CSS 607. Seminar (1 Credits)

Term(s): Fall, Winter, Spring
University Catalog

CSS 608. Workshop (1-16 Credits)

Evaluation and judging of soils in Oregon and other states; directed studies of soil morphology, soil survey, soil fertility, soil physics, soil chemistry, soil biology, and soil information systems.
University Catalog

CSS 620. DNA Fingerprinting (1 Credits)

Principles and methods for producing and analyzing DNA fingerprints. Offered alternate years. CROSSLISTED as GEN 620, MCB 620. PREREQS: BI 311 or (CSS 430 or CSS 530) or equivalent.
Term(s): Fall
University Catalog

CSS 621. Genetic Mapping (1 Credits)

Principles and methods for constructing genetic maps comprised of molecular and other genetic markers. Offered alternate years. CROSSLISTED as GEN 621, MCB 621. PREREQS: BI 311 or (CSS 430 or CSS 530) or equivalent.
Term(s): Fall
University Catalog

CSS 622. Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci (1 Credits)

Principles and methods for mapping genes underlying phenotypically complex traits. Offered alternate years. CROSSLISTED as GEN 622, MCB 622. PREREQS: CSS 590 or ST 513 or equivalent.
Term(s): Fall
University Catalog

CSS 635. Chemical Processes in Soil Systems (3 Credits)

Application of equilibrium thermodynamics and chemical kinetics to reactions in soil systems; solubilities, complexation, cation exchange equilibria, surface chemistry, chemical modeling, and chemical transport as applied to weathering, genesis, nutrient availability, and the nature of soil acidity. PREREQ: CSS 445; CH 442 or equivalent. Offered alternate years.
Term(s): Spring
University Catalog

CSS 645. Soil Microbial Ecology (3 Credits)

An advanced treatment of current topics in soil microbiology, with an emphasis on the ecology of soil microorganisms. Topics include the size, composition, diversity, and activity of soil microbial communities, linkage of microbial community structure to ecosystem functions, and applications of molecular biology to soil microbiology. Taught even years in fall. PREREQS: Recommend CSS 445 and MB 448.
Term(s): Fall 2008, and subsequently in alternate years
University Catalog

CSS 650. Advanced Plant Breeding and Quantitative Genetics (3 Credits)

Pedigree, bulk, single-seed-descent, doubled haploid, backcross, testcross, mass, and half-sib, S~1~, and S~2~ family breeding methods; breeding hybrids and selecting sources of alleles for developing superior hybrids; the nature and consequences of genotype by environment interactions; marker-assisted backcross and inbred line breeding; quantitative trait locus mapping; random linear models; designing and analyzing cultivar, line, and family selection experiments. PREREQ: GEN 311 or CSS 430/CSS 530, CSS 450/CSS 550, ST 411/ST 511, ST 412/ST 512, and ST 413/ST 513. Offered alternate years.
Term(s): Fall
University Catalog

CSS 660. Herbicide Science (4 Credits)

Absorption, movement, and mechanism of action of herbicides in plants; behavior of herbicides in soil. PREREQ: CSS 440/CSS 540, BOT 331. Offered alternate years.
Term(s): Fall
University Catalog

CSS 670. Physiology of Crop Yield (3 Credits)

Concepts of crop growth and production in relation to environmental and physiological factors and their interactions; current literature. PREREQ: BOT 311 or equivalent. Offered alternate years.
Term(s): Winter
University Catalog

CSS 699. Special Topics in Crop Science and Soil Science (1 Credits)

Term(s): Fall, Winter, Spring
University Catalog