Undergraduate Courses

CSS 100. Orientation/Career Planning (1)

Introduction to departments, college and university programs. Individual and group counseling and baccalaureate program planning. Exposure to career opportunities in crop and soil science. PREREQ: Major and minor students only.

CSS 199. Special Studies (1-16)

CSS 200. Crop Science Basics (3)

An overview of major crop species; plant growth and development; and basic principles of crop science. Labs include hands-on work with plant materials.

CSS 205. Soils: Sustainable Ecosystems (3)

Soil ecosystems as a medium for plant and crop growth, the cycling of nutrients, supply and purification of water, and a habitat for a diverse population of soil organisms. Relationship of human activities to the sustainability of soil ecosystems. Lec/Lab. REQ: Field trips.

CSS 300. Introduction to Crop Production (4)

Principles, practices and issues relating to production, marketing and improvement of horticultural and agronomic crops. Comparison of crop production systems; geography of crop production; cropping calendars. PREREQ: Year of General Biology or equivalent. CROSSLISTED as HORT 300.

CSS 305. Principles of Soil Science (4)

Origin, formation, classification, physical, chemical, and biological characteristics; effects of soil management on agricultural and forest crop production. Field trips. PREREQ: CH 122.

CSS 306. Problem Solving: Soil Science Applications (1)

Problem solving for, and in-depth exploration of, Principles of Soil Science (CSS 305). Real-world problems requiring knowledge of soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. COREQ: CSS 305.

CSS 310. Forage Production (4)

Importance of and current production practices for forage crops. PREREQ: CSS 300 or equivalent; CSS 305.

Ent 311. Introduction to Insect Pest Management (5)

Recognition, biology and management of injurious and beneficial insects; insects and human welfare. Concurrent laboratory is designed to illustrate principles of insect pest management in agricultural cropping systems including medical and veterinary entomology. PREREQ: One year college biology.

CSS 315. Nutrient Management and Cycling (4)

Nutrient forms, transformations, and plant availability as influenced by chemical and biological reactions in soils; soil pH and management of acid and alkaline soils; characteristics and use of fertilizers, soil amendments and organic wastes. Labs include routine soil testing procedures, computer applications for soil fertility management, and field trips. PREREQ: CSS 305, CH 122. REC: Courses in computers. (Writing Intensive Course)

CSS 320. Principles of Oil and Fiber Crops Production (1)

An overview of production practices and characteristics of oil seed, essential oil, and fiber crops. PREREQ: CSS 300 or equivalent; CSS 305.

CSS 321. Principles of Cereal Crop Production (1)

An overview of the principles underlying small grain production practices in the Pacific Northwest. PREREQ: CSS 300 or equivalent; CSS 305.

CSS 322. Principles of Potato Production (1)

Principles and practices governing all aspects of potato production, storage and use. PREREQ: CSS 300 or equivalent; CSS 305.

CSS 330. World Food Crops (3)

Come explore the major food crops of the world, their origin, morphology, genetic diversity, adaptation, management, and utilization. You will develop an understanding of the role of crop improvement in economic and social development. (Bac Core Course)

On-line version of this course

CSS 335. Introduction to Water Science and Policy (3)

An introduction to water science and water uses, including the components of the hydrologic cycle, water as a biological habitat, different uses of water, and water quality for beneficial uses. PREREQ: Basic Chemistry and Physics. (Bac Core Course)

CSS 335H. Water Resource Science (3)

CSS 345. Introduction to Principles of Integrated Crop Protection (3)

Introduction to the science of integrated crop protection. Biology and management of insects, plant parasitic nematodes, plant pathogens, and weeds, in agronomic systems will be emphasized. PREREQ: Introductory college course in Biology, Botany, Zoology or similar courses is recommended. Some computer literacy preferred.

ENT 350. Biology of Insects (4)

Introduction to the study of insects, stressing the biological attributes responsible for the success and dominance of insects. Emphasis on taxonomy, morphology, behavior, ecology, and coevolutionary interrelationships.

CSS 363. Seed Biology (3)

Biological aspects of seed formation and development, germination, maturation, dormancy, and deterioration. Fundamentals of seed composition and function. PREREQ: BI 103 or BI 212. Lec/lab. CROSSLISTED as HORT 363.

CSS 395. World Soil Resources (3)

The properties, global distribution, and agricultural productivities of major world soil groups are described. Potentials for human- accelerated soil degradation are introduced for each soil group, and reasons for conflicting assessments of degradation are discussed. PREREQ: CH 121.

CSS 401. Research (1-16)

CSS 403. Thesis (1-16)

Independent, original study and preparation of a senior thesis. PREREQ: Senior standing.

CSS 405. Reading and Conference (1-16)

CSS 407. Seminar (1)

Senior seminar intended to instruct students on proper techniques for presentation of scientific material. Each student is expected to prepare and present a scientific seminar and to submit written documentation supporting that seminar. Graded P/N.

CSS 408. Workshop (1-16)

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.

CSS 410. Internship (1-6)

Professional work experience previously approved and supervised by the department, written report required. PREREQ: Junior standing.

CSS 415. Soil Fertility Management (3)

Management of plant nutrients in agronomic systems for economic response and environmental protection; diagnosis of nutrient availabiity 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.

CSS 420. Seed Science and Technology (3)

Seed certification; seed testing; labeling and labeling laws; marketing; industry organizations; seed identification; seed biology (including: seed development, physiology of germination, dormancy, longevity, and deterioration). PREREQ: CSS 300 or equivalent.

CSS 425. Sustaining Soil Productivity (3)

Explores long-term impact of agriculture on soil physical, chemical and biological parameters; potential and limitations on management systems that emphasize cover crops and polycultures in relation to nutrient cycling and plant nutrition; management practices that maximize nutrient efficiency from inorganic sources, organic wastes, and plant residues. PREREQ: CSS 305. Offered alternate years.

CSS 430. Plant Genetics (3)

Theories and principles; polyploidy; qualitative and quantitative inheritance. PREREQ: CSS 300, HORT 201, BI 203. CROSSLISTED as HORT 430/530.

CSS 440. Weed Management (4)

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.

CSS 445. Geochemistry of Soil Ecosystems (4)

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 is available. PREREQ: CH 123, PH 201, and CSS 305 recommended.

CSS 446. Soil Geochemistry Laboratory (1)

Measurement of soil properties and processes which influence the transport of nutrients and organic compounds through the soil environment. PREREQ: CH 123, PH 201.

CSS 450. Plant Breeding (4)

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.

CSS 455. Biology of Soil Ecosystems (4)

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.

CSS 460. Seed Production (3)

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 300 or equivalent.

CSS 466. Soil Morphology and Classification (4)

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.

CSS 468. Soil Landscape Analysis(4)

Principles of soil geomorphology, soil stratigraphy, hillslope hydrology applied to understanding how soils occur in landscapes. Emphasis on field observations of soils, geomorphic surfaces, and landform elements. Field project entails design of soil survey map units, field mapping and cartographic techniques. PREREQ: CSS 305.

CSS 468X. Soil Landscape Analysis (3)

Principles of soil geomorphology and soil stratigraphy. Field observation of geomorphic surfaces and landscape elements. Soil Survey map unit design, mapping techniques. Quantitative analysis of soil landscape patterns. Field mapping project.

CSS 470. Seed Quality Management (3)

CSS 475. Agricultural Management of Oregon Soil Resources (2)

Field trips to study soil and crop management for agriculture and forestry through the experiences of Oregon farmers, ranchers, and foresters. Trips visit both dryland and irrigated enterprises in eastern Oregon. Irrigated and nonirrigated operations in western Oregon, and managed forests and rangelands throughout Oregon. Field trip fee may be charged. PREREQ: Senior standing. CROSSLISTED as HORT 475/HORT 575.

CSS 480. Case Studies in Cropping Systems Management (4)

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).

CSS 485. Environmental Applications of Soil Science (4)

Applications of the principles of soil science to the understanding of and solutions to environmental problems. Topics covered include use of soil surveys, development of soil survey interpretations, use of soils as a medium for disposal and treatment of municipal and industrial wastes, groundwater contamination related to soil management, effects and control of erosion and sedimentation, soil evaluation models used in land use planning. PREREQ: CSS 305, CSS 435 recommended. Offered alternate years.

CSS 490. Field-Plot Technique (4)

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.

CSS 496X. Sustainable Agriculture Seminar (1)

Presentations regarding sustainable agriculture by on-campus and off-campus speakers. Topics in sustainable agriculture will include: the concept, history, and philosophies; indicators in biological systems; off-site effects; modeling approaches; and the Oregon experience. CROSSLIST: AREC 496X/AREC 596X, BOT 496X/BOT 596X, ENT 496X/ENT 596X, FW 496X/FW 596X, RNG 496X/RNG 596X.

CSS 499. Special Topics in Crop Science and Soil Science (1-16)

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. PREREQ: Instructor approval required.

CSS 499. Issues of Sustainable Agriculture -- Bioproducts: New 'Value Added' Crops for Energy, Raw Materials and Farmaceuticals (1)

The overriding theme of  most issues in agriculture today is sustainability in all it's various facets - environment, economics, social impacts.  This classes will deal with the specific theme of Bioproducts in agricultural sustainability.

CSS 499. Issues of Sustainable Agriculture -- Cropping Systems for Sustainability (1)

The overriding theme of  most issues in agriculture today is sustainability in all it's various facets - environment, economics, social impacts.  This classes will deal with the specific theme of Cropping Systems for Sustainability in agricultural sustainability.

CSS 499. Issues of Sustainable Agriculture -- Genetically Modified Organisms and Sustainable Agriculture (1)

The overriding theme of  most issues in agriculture today is sustainability in all it's various facets - environment, economics, social impacts.  This classes will deal with the specific theme of Genetically Modified Organisms and Sustainable Agriculture.

CSS 499. Issues of Sustainable Agriculture -- Organic Farming (1)

The overriding theme of  most issues in agriculture today is sustainability in all it's various facets - environment, economics, social impacts.  This classes will deal with the specific theme of Organic Farming in agricultural sustainability.

CSS 499. Issues of Sustainable Agriculture -- Soil Quality (1)

The overriding theme of  most issues in agriculture today is sustainability in all its various facets - environment, economics, social impacts. This classes will deal with the specific theme of Soil Quality in agricultural sustainability.

CSS 499 ST/Introduction to Organic Farming (1)

Selected topics presenting an in depth view of organic farming methods. Topics include soils, beneficial insects, plant pathogens, and more. Basic gardening knowledge preferred. Also taught as ENSC 399.

CSS 499 - Physics of Soil Ecosystems (1)

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.