Courtney Gallup, teaching assistant, and David Shew, instructor for PP 315.
About the Course
Principles of Plant Pathology is an introductory course that offers a broad introduction to plant diseases and the organisms that cause them. The material focuses on the four interacting factors necessary for disease to occur: the pathogen, the host, the environment, and time. With knowledge of these factors, you will begin to understand the nature of plant disease epidemics and how to manage them.
The course website offers multiple avenues to obtain lecture material that should accommodate every learning style. Each lecture is linked with printable text and handouts for each lecture slideset. Enrolled students will also receive a set of CDs or DVDs with streaming video of the on-campus lectures.
The course is open to upper-level undergraduates enrolled at North Carolina State University and other colleges and universities, and to continuing and lifelong education students. Requirements for the completion of this course include periodic lecture quizzes, weekly lab quizzes, three 1-hour exams, and a term paper on a relevant topic of your choice.
Course Objectives
PP 315 is a concept based course that attempts to help students build a framework for the integration and synthesis of information presented in courses taught in their majors with fundamental information in the science of Plant Pathology. Specific objectives include:
- Introduce students to the basic principles and concepts of plant pathology.
- Familiarize students with the basic vocabulary of plant pathology and plant disease management using flash cards with images and audio files.
- Introduce and illustrate the major groups of organisms that cause plant diseases.
- Enhance student's understanding of scientific research, especially as it applies to the science of plant pathology and the study of microorganisms.
- Improve the written and oral communication skills of students through class, group and individual projects.
- Prepare students for additional classes in Plant Pathology and related disciplines.
- Provide a framework that students can use in their profession to best approach palnt disease management.