300 | 400 | Graduate Courses

Plant Pathology
www.plantpath.iastate.edu
Charlotte R. Bronson, Chair of Department
Professors: Braun, Bronson, Gleason, Harrington, Hill, McGee, Miller, Nutter, Tylka
Professors (Collaborators): Wise
Distinguished Professors (Emeritus): Tiffany
University Professors (Emeritus): McNabb
Professors (Emeritus): Durand, Epstein, Hodges, Norton, Stewart
Associate Professors: Baum, Munkvold, Yang
Assistant Professors: Beattie, Bogdanove, Whitham
Assistant Professors (Collaborators): Block

Undergraduate Study
The department participates in the undergraduate major and minor in plant health and protection; see Agriculture, Curricula.
For a second major in pest management see Agriculture, Curricula.

Graduate Study
The department offers studies for the degrees master of science and doctor of philosophy with a major in plant pathology, and minor work for students majoring in other departments or programs. A master of science nonthesis option is available. The department also participates in the interdepartmental majors in toxicology; genetics; plant physiology; molecular, cellular, and developmental biology; ecology and evolutionary biology; and sustainable agriculture.

Students entering graduate programs in the department need a sound background in the physical, biological, and mathematical sciences as well as adequate preparation in English.

Graduates have a broad understanding of the biology and management of plant pathogenic microorganisms and the interactions of pathogens with their host plants. They understand the relationship between plant pathology and allied disciplines and are able to communicate effectively with scientific colleagues and the general public in both formal and informal settings. Graduates are able to address complex plant disease problems facing agricultural and bioscience professionals, taking into account the related ethical, social, legal, and environmental issues. They are skilled in research procedures, communicating research results, and writing concise and persuasive grant proposals.

Courses open for nonmajor graduate credit: 407, 416, 483.

Courses Primarily for Undergraduate Students
Pl P 391. Practical Plant Health. (Same as Pl HP 391.) See Plant Health and Protection.

Pl P 407. Principles of Plant Pathology. (Same as Pl HP 407, P M 407.) (2-3) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 8 credits in biological sciences, including Biol 202. Braun. Principles underlying the nature, diagnosis, and management of plant diseases. Laboratory complements lecture topics and provides experience in plant disease diagnosis. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Pl P 416. Forest Pest Management. (Same as For 416, Pl HP 416, P M 416.) (2-3) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 8 credits in biological sciences, including Biol 201. Harrington. Nature of insects and pathogens of forest and shade trees; their role in the dynamics of natural and managed forest ecosystems; and the management of indigenous and exotic pests. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Pl P 452. Integrated Management of Diseases and Insect Pests of Turfgrasses. (Dual-listed with 552; same as Ent 452, Hort 452.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2004. Prereq: Hort 351. Gleason, Lewis D. Identification and biology of important diseases and insect pests of turfgrasses. Development of integrated pest management programs in various turfgrass environments.

Pl P 477. Bacterial-Plant Interactions. (Dual-listed with 577; same as Micro 477.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2004. Prereq: 3 credits in microbiology or plant pathology. Beattie. Focuses on plant-associated bacteria in terms of their ecology, diversity, and the physiological and molecular mechanisms involved in their interactions with plants.

Pl P 483. Wood Deterioration and Preservation. (Same as For 483.) See Forestry. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Pl P 490. Independent Study. Cr. 1 to 3. F.S.SS. Prereq: Junior or senior classification, 7 credits in biological sciences, permission of instructor. A maximum of 6 credits of 490 may be used toward the total of 128 credits required for graduation.
A. Plant Pathology
H. Honors

Courses Primarily for Graduate Students, Open to Qualified Undergraduate Students
Pl P 503. Biology of Plant Pathogens. (3-3) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: Biol 202, Biol 301. Bogdanove, Hill, Bronson, Tylka. Biology, ecology, and taxonomy of organisms that cause plant disease. Laboratory experience emphasizes techniques in working with fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and viruses. Field trips.

Pl P 506. Plant-Pathogen Interactions. (2-0) Cr. 2. S. Prereq: 407 or 416 or 503, Biol 301. Baum, Whitham. Introduction to mechanisms of plant-parasite interaction. Genetics and molecular genetics of plant disease resistance and pathogenicity.

Pl P 507. Epidemiology and Disease Management. (2-0) Cr. 2. S. Prereq: 407 or 416 or 503. Nutter. Principles of pathogen population dynamics as affected by environment and host/pathogen genetics; modeling biotic plant stress on crop productivity. Principles and practices employed for disease control and their utilization for management; applications of disease management and epidemiological principles to specific diseases through case studies.

Pl P 509. Plant Virology. (Same as Micro 509.) (2-6) Cr. 4. Alt. S., offered 2005. Prereq: 407 or 503, Bot 404, BBMB 405, Chem 211. Hill. Plant viruses and the diseases they cause. Emphasis on epidemiology and control. Structure, function, and biochemical-biophysical properties of plant viruses.

Pl P 511. Integrated Management of Tropical Crops. (Same as Ent 511, Hort 511.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2005. Prereq: 407 or 416 or 503 or Ent 370 or 376 or Hort 221. Gleason, Lewis. Applications of Integrated Crop Management principles (including plant pathology, entomology, and horticulture) to tropical cropping systems. Familiarization with a variety of tropical agroecosystems and Costa Rican culture is followed by 10-day tour of Costa Rican agriculture during spring break, then writeup of individual projects. Tour expenses paid by students.

Pl P 530. Ecologically Based Pest Management Strategies. (Same as Agron 530, Ent 530, SusAg 530.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2004. Prereq: SusAg 509. Durable, least-toxic strategies for managing weeds, pathogens, and insect pests, with emphasis on underlying ecological processes.

Pl P 543. Plant Disease Epidemiology. (2-4) Cr. 4. Alt. F., offered 2004. Prereq: 407 or 416 or 503. Nutter. Theory and practice relating to the quantification of biotic plant stress as affected by the temporal and spatial interaction of host and pathogen populations. Analysis of environmental, ecological, and host and pathogen genetic factors that alter the course of plant disease epidemics. Risk assessment theory and modeling the impact of biotic plant stresses on yield and quality.

Pl P 552. Integrated Management of Diseases and Insect Pests of Turfgrasses. (Dual-listed with 452; same as Ent 552, Hort 552.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2004. Prereq: Hort 351. Gleason, Lewis D. Identification and biology of important diseases and insect pests of turfgrasses. Development of integrated pest management programs in various turfgrass environments.

Pl P 565. Professional Practice in the Life Sciences. (Same as Agron 565, An S 565, BCB 565, Gen 565, Hort 565, V MPM 565.) Cr. 0.5 per module. S. Prereq: Graduate classification. Professional discourse on the ethical and legal issues facing life science researchers. Offered in modular format; each module is four weeks.
A. Professional Practices in Research. Good scientific practices and professional ethics in the life sciences.
B. Intellectual Property and Industry Interactions. Ethical and legal issues facing life scientists involved in research interactions with industry.
C. Life Science Ethics. Basic principles of moral theory, and ethical issues about the environment, biotechnology, and the appropriate role of scientific experts in public moral debate.
D. Ethics in Plant Breeding and Plant Genetic Resource Conservation. Ethical issues facing scientists involved in crop improvement, plant conservation, and plant biotechnology.

Pl P 574. Plant Nematology. (2-3) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2004. Prereq: 407 or 416 or 503. Baum. Morphology, anatomy, identification, control, and life cycles of common plant-parasitic nematodes; host-parasite interactions; Caenorhabditis elegans.

Pl P 577. Bacterial-Plant Interactions. (Dual-listed with 477; same as Micro 577.) (3-1) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2004. Prereq: 3 credits in microbiology or plant pathology. Focuses on plant-associated bacteria in terms of their ecology, diversity, and the physiological and molecular mechanisms involved in their interactions with plants.

Pl P 590. Special Topics. Cr. 1 to 3 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: 10 credits in biological sciences, permission of instructor.

Pl P 591. Plant Disease Control. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2003. Prereq: 407 or 416 or 503. Gleason. Principles and practices of disease control. Use of biological control, cultural practices, resistance and chemical control in disease management.

Pl P 594. Seed Pathology. (2-3) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2005. Prereq: 407 or 503. McGee. Significance of diseases on the major phases of seed production; growing, harvesting, conditioning, storing, and planting seed. Pathogens considered include fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and abiotic agents. Emphasis on control, epidemiology, host-parasite relationships, and seed health testing.

Courses for Graduate Students
Pl P 608. Molecular Virology. (Same as V MPM 608.) See Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine.

Pl P 643. Natural Toxins. (Same as Tox 643.) See Toxicology.

Pl P 691. Field Plant Pathology. (0-6) Cr. 2 each time taken. Alt. SS., offered 2004. Prereq: 407 or 416 or 503. Diagnosis of plant diseases, plant disease assessment methods, and the integration of disease management into commercial crop production practices. Objectives are to familiarize students with common diseases of Midwest crops and landscape plants, and to provide experience in disease diagnosis. Field trips include commercial operations, agricultural research facilities, and ornamental plantings.

Pl P 692. Molecular Biology of Plant-Pathogen Interactions. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2005. Prereq: 506 or BBMB 405 or Gen 411 or Micro 402 or course in molecular biology. Miller. Molecular and physiological mechanisms of plant disease and resistance. Host-pathogen recognition and response, resistance gene function, signal transduction, Agrobacterium, virus-host interactions.

Pl P 694. Colloquium in Plant Pathology. (2-0) Cr. 2 each time taken. F.S. Prereq: 407 or 416 or 503, permission of instructor. Advanced topics in plant pathology, including biological control, cultural control, risk assessment of resistance gene deployment, genetic engineering for disease resistance, chemical control, tropical diseases, fungal genetics, insect vector biology, and professional communications.

Pl P 698. Seminar. Cr. 1 each time taken. F.S.

Pl P 699. Thesis and Dissertation Research. Cr. var. F.S.SS.