Commercial Turf & Grounds Management/ Courses

A course designed to guide students in pursuit of the Missouri Pesticide Applicator’s License. This license is only available through the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

This course is an introduction to business systems in the green industry sectors of ornamental horticulture and turfgrass management. Economic, financial principles, and record keeping methods are covered.

A course designed to introduce students to fundamental terminology, theories, principles and practices that are a necessity for any person pursuing a career in specialized professions of turf and grounds.

A course designed to introduce students to turfgrasses common to Missouri and the transition zone. Emphasis will be placed upon turfgrass structures as a means of identification as well as turfgrass characteristics and their usage.

A course emphasizing principles of machinery operation and maintenance common in the turf and grounds industry. Emphasis will be placed upon proper adjustment, calibration, repair and safety.

This is an 8-week course offered for students and professionals to be introduced to the fundamentals of Hispanic culture and to learn conversational Spanish as it relates to the landscaping industry. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the Hispanic culture and acquire the skills to effectively communicate with co-workers of Hispanic origin.

An applied mathematics course designed to teach skills utilized on a daily basis by professional turf and grounds technicians. Emphasis will be placed upon business math, bidding, and related fundamental math skills.

A course containing the fundamental principles involved in successful plant propagation. Students will practice techniques of propagating plants through sexual and asexual methods and determine which propagation methods are appropriate for a given species.

In this course students will research potential internship training sites. Students will secure employment, enter into an internship agreement, and complete required internship forms.

This course is a field-based learning experience that combines study, observation, and supervised occupational/employment with an agricultural business, organization, or government agency in the commercial turf and grounds industry. Students will use this opportunity to apply horticultural, leadership, communications and business theories learned in a practical context. The student intern, internship supervisor, and college coordinator develop an individual internship plan. Students must complete this course requirement by taking and passing either one-six credit hour course or two-three credit hour courses.

A course designed to introduce students to common weeds and diseases of ornamentals and turfgrasses. Identification and control are emphasized.

Emphasis on identification of insects and other pests on ornamentals and turfgrasses. Control of insects will be discussed using Integrated Pest Management and pesticides.

A course designed to introduce students to landscape and golf course irrigation systems, their design and installation as well as drainage. Special emphasis will be placed upon irrigation hydraulics and irrigation efficiency.

Designed to provide advanced establishment skills in the maintenance of turf areas pertaining to golf courses, athletic fields, parks, and sod producers. Includes golf course design, athletic field maintenance, fertilization, and mowing. Provides information for turf and grounds professionals in the maintenance and improvement of turfgrass playing areas. Methods of improving management practices, interpersonal skills, as well as leadership skills will be stressed.

A study of the principles of landscape design including an appreciation of various artistic and design theories. Emphasis is placed on practical application as well as installation limitations and practices. Designs are drafted using computer software.

A study in the identification of herbaceous plants, their selection, use and maintenance in landscaping. Emphasis will be given to culture, function and individual characteristics.

A study in the identification of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs that are commonly utilized in the landscape industry. Techniques in maintenance of ornamentals will be presented emphasizing function in the landscape. Pruning needs will be analyzed and practiced.

A course designed to provide students with a general knowledge of basic shop principles and practices that are common in the commercial turf and grounds indusstry. Students will learn how to select and utilize various tools and equipment commonly found in the shop. Basic welding and grinding techniques will be emphasized and students will be exposed to small engine maintenance and basic hydraulics. Shop safety will be emphasized in every phase of this course.

Environmental science provides an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental systems. Information about the physical, chemical, and biological conditions of the environment and their effect on organisms are studied to help solve ecological problems. Sustainable natural resource management will be stressed. An attitude of stewardship of natural capital will be encouraged.

This is the science lab corresponding to the Environmental Science lecture course. The courses are designed to increase student awareness of the issues surrounding the interactions of humans with the natural environment. Basic quantitative techniques for collecting and analyzing data from environmental systems will be introduced.