CROPPING SYSTEMS

PLANTSCI 333

Survey of the basic principles and concepts of the biology of plants and their application to cultivation of food crops in controlled environments. Integrates topics including: organic systems, sustainability, urban agriculture, and socioecological factors.

BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 450

How ecological principles can be used to address contemporary environmental issues such as water quality, invasive species, and population growth. Emphasis on midwestern issues, practical approaches, the role of history, and geographic context.

AGROECOL 377

Crops, food, and cropping systems from different parts of the world and their impact on global sustainability and health. Introduction to crop biology, environmental requirements, and agronomic production practices of major food crops. Environmental, socioeconomic, and health impacts of farming systems and how to assess their sustainability. A global perspective on agroecology, food, environment, health, and agriculture.

AGROECOL 303

Explores in-depth agriculture systems as coupled ecological and social complexities. Examines the components of agricultural systems and analyzes how different ecological and social contexts influence and are influenced by the agricultural system. Explores and analyzes how management decisions (crop breeding, in-crop management, landscape-level, etc.) ramify to influence processes and outcomes at different levels of complexity (e.g., ecosystem, landscape, social well-being, human health, economic) and the socio-ecological tradeoffs that ensue. Develops skills to analyze how the design and implementation of integrated agricultural systems can contribute to solutions for pressing societal challenges such as climate change, biodiversity declines, unsustainable resource use and social inequality.

PLANTSCI 310

Explores the application of plant science and current technologies in both field and controlled environments to enhance crop production. Analyzes the impacts of these technologies on agroecosystem structure and function, examining the trade-offs that affect productivity, profitability, environmental sustainability, and social outcomes.