Graduate Courses

[500 level] [600 level]

CSS 501. Research (1-16)

CSS 503. Thesis (1-16)

CSS 505. Reading and Conference (1-16)

CSS 506. Projects (1-16)

CSS 507. Seminar (1)

CSS 508. 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 509. Practicum in Teaching (1-3)

Developing skills and competence in teaching soil science under staff supervision; organization and presentation of instructional material by assisting in laboratory, recitation, and lectures.

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

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.

CSS 515. 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 520. Seed Science and Technology (5)

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 523. Principles of Stable isotopes (3)

An introduction to the theory and use of stable isotopes. Applications of stable isotopes to soil science, plant physiology, hydrology, and ecosystem studies.

CSS 525. 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 530. Plant Genetics (3)

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

CSS 535. Soil Physics (3)

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

CSS 536. Vadose Zone Hydrology Laboratory (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

CSS 540. 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 545. 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 546. 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 550. 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 555. 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 560. 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 566. 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 568. 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 570. Seed Quality Management (3)

CSS 575. 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 580. 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 585. Environmental Applicaitons 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 590. 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 595. Topics in Soil Science (3)

Recent issues and developments in Soil Science. Topics vary. Course can be repeated for credit.

CSS 596X. Sustainable Agriculture Seminar (1)

CSS 598. Plant Chromosome Biology (3)

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.

CSS 599/699 - Special Topics - Professional Development

A significant part of professional life, whether in academia or industry, involves writing. This class is intended to provide ideas and technical information on writing skills.

CSS 599 - Critical Reviews of Soil Processes

CSS 599. 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 599. 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 599. 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 599. 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 601. Research (1-16)

CSS 603. Thesis (1-16)

CSS 605. Reading and Conference (1-16)

CSS 606. Projects (1-16)

CSS 607. Seminar (1).

CSS 608. Workshop (1-16).

CSS 620. DNA Fingerprinting (1)

Principles and methods for producing and analyzing DNA fingerprints. PREREQ: BI 311 or CSS 430 or equivalent. CROSSLISTED as GEN 620, MCB 620

CSS 621. Genetic Mapping (1)

Principles and methods for constructing genetic maps comprised of molecular and other genetic markers. PREREQ: BI 311 or CSS 430 or equivalent. CROSSLISTED as GEN 621, MCB 621.

CSS 622. Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci (1)

Principles and methods for mapping genes underlying phenotypically complex traits. PREREQ: CSS 590 or ST 513 or equivalent. CROSSLISTED as GEN 622, MCB 622.

CSS 630. Current Topics in Plant Breeding (3)

Extensive reading and discussion of literature relevant to current and timely topics in applied plant breeding and genetics. PREREQ: CSS 430/CSS 530 or equivalent. Offered alternate years.

CSS 635. Chemical Processes in Soil Systems (3)

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.

CSS 645. Soil Biology and Biochemistry (3).

Biogeochemical cycling of N, P, and S; soil microbial biomass; soil enzymes; rhizosphere biology; applications of stable isotopes in soil science; biodegradation of organic wastes; applications of molecular biology to soil microbiology; models of microbial activity in soil. PREREQ: CSS 445, MB 448; biochemistry. Offered alternate years.

CSS 650. Advanced Plant Breeding II (3)

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. Offered alternate years. OTHER 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.

CSS 655. Plant-Water Relations (3)

Quantitatie aspects of the distribution, movement, and function of water in the soil/plant/atmosphere continuum. PREREQ: CSS 445, CH 442. Offered alternate years.

CSS 660. Herbicide Science (4)

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.

CSS 665. Soil Genesis and Classification (3)

Soil development; soil forming factors and processes as related to soil landscape formation and soil classificaton; interpretation of X-ray data for soil genesis. Offered alternate years.

CSS 670. Physiology of Crop Yield (3)

Concepts of crop growth and production in relation to environmental and physiological factors and their interactions; current literature. PREREQ: BOT 441 or equivalent. Offered alternate years.