Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
Undergraduate Program Courses

Below are the undergraduate-level courses currently offered in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. Note that some courses are offered every other year. See the Cornell Courses of Study for further offerings.

Crop Science Courses:

CSS 311(3110): Grains and Nutriceuticals

Globally, six seed crops provide 75 percent of the caloric and protein needs of mankind by direct consumption or indirectly through animal and microbial products. Seed crops for starch, protein, oil, fiber, sugar, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and industrial uses are emphasized, including adaptation, growth and development, environmental stress, optimization of yield and quality, and genetic improvement in the context of food systems for improved health. Laboratory uses living plants, an extensive crop garden, and computer simulation.

CSS 312(3120): Forage Crops

Considers the production and management of crops used for livestock feed in terms of establishment, growth, maintenance, harvesting, and preservation. Emphasizes forage grasses, forage legumes, and corn and considers their value as livestock feed in terms of energy, protein, and other nutritional components.

CSS 315(3150): Weed Science

Examines principles of weed science. Emphasizes (1) weed biology and ecology; (2) weed-management strategies used in agricultural and natural ecosystems; and (3) chemistry of herbicides in relation to effects on plant growth and the environment. Hands-on laboratory sessions cover weed identification and ecology, herbicide application, selectivity, and symptomology.

CSS 317(3170): Seed Science and Technology (also HORT 317[3170])

The principles and practices involved in the production, harvesting, processing, storage, testing, quality management, certification, and use of high-quality seed from improved cultivars. Information is applicable to various kinds of agricultural seeds. Hands-on laboratory experience.

CSS 403(4030): Traditional Agriculture in Developing Nations (also IARD 403[4030])

Half the world's arable land is farmed by traditional farmers who have produced food and fiber for millennia with few outside inputs. Many of these practices are forgotten but some are still used by farmers in developing countries. This course examines the pros and cons of some of these traditional systems.

CSS 414(4140): Tropical Cropping Systems: Biodiversity, Social and Environmental Impacts (also IARD 414[4140])

Characterizes and discusses traditional shifting cultivation; lowland rice-based systems; upland cereal-based systems; smallholder mixed farming including root crops and livestock; plantation fruit and oil crop systems; and agroforestry. In addition to species diversity and domestication, factors such as climate, land quality, soil management, land tenure, labor, and markets are considered. Evaluates the impact of tropical cropping systems on the environment.

CSS 426(4260): Practicum in Forest Farming as an Agroforestry System (also HORT/NTRES 426[4260])

CSS 444(4440): Integrated Pest Management (also ENTOM 444[4440])

For description, see ENTOM 444.

CSS 455(4550): Mineral Nutrition of Crops and Landscape Plants (also HORT 455[4550])

Modular course on principles of plant mineral nutrition and nutrient management. A mandatory module on principles is followed by others on agronomic crops, vegetables, floriculture, and fruit crops. Each module carries 1 credit; a minimum of 3 credits must be taken in one semester. By the end of the course, students understand the principles of mineral nutrient function in crop plants, and are able to diagnose deficiencies by symptoms and tissue tests and devise organic and conventional nutrient management schemes that maximize productivity and mineral nutrient quality.

CSS 608(6080): Water Status in Plants and Soils

Covers techniques for field appraisal of the status of water in plants and soil, including methods used in physiological studies, such as the psychrometer, pressure chamber, gas exchange analyzer, and abscisic acid analysis with ELISA.

CSS 610(6010): Physiology of Environmental Stresses

Study of the responses of plants to environmental stresses, including chilling, drought, freezing, and high temperature, salinity, hypoxia, and toxic elements. Emphasizes the physiological and biochemical basis of injury and plant resistance mechanisms at the whole-plant, cellular, and molecular levels.

CSS 612(6120): Seed Biology

Describes the molecular, biochemical, physiological, environmental, and genetic regulation of seed development, maturation, and germination events, including the deposition and mobilization of seed reserves with illustrations from the world's major food and feed seeds. Illustrations extend the principles to practical situations, industrial uses, and food systems for improved health.

CSS 613(6130): Physiology and Ecology of Yield

Study of environmental constraints on crop-plant productivity from the perspective of key biological processes. Examines acclimation responses and genetic adaptation for temperature, light, water, compacted soil, and mineral nutrient environments. Topics include photosynthesis and nitrogen assimilation, translocation, and partitioning; canopy-scale influences on solar radiation use efficiency; regulation of growth processes in leaf, root, and floral sinks in response to environment; seed set; water transport and stomatal regulation; root growth in flooded and compacted soils; and drought responses.

CSS 614(6140): Weed Ecology and Management

Examination of plant ecological principles governing weed population dynamics and weed-crop competitive interactions in different crop and noncrop ecosystems. Explores the application of these fundamentals for the development and implementation of environmentally sound and sustainable integrated weed management strategies. Topics include seed biology and seedbank dynamics, weed demography and spatial variation, weed-crop interference, invasive weed biology, biological weed control, and site-specific weed management.

CSS 642(6420): Plant Mineral Nutrition (also BIOPL 642[6420]

This course focuses on the biophysical, biochemical, molecular and physiological processes by which plants absorb mineral nutrients from the soil, translocate, and utilize them for growth and development. Selected lectures will focus on the relation between the nutrient status of plants and human nutrition and health. Students will be also exposed to the state-of-art techniques that are used for analyses of mineral status of plants.

CSS 691(6910): Special Topics in Crop Science

Study of topics in crop science that are more specialized or different from other courses. Special topics to be offered depend on staff and student interests.

CSS 820(8200): Master's-Level Thesis Research in Crop Science

Thesis research for M.S.candidates.

CSS 920(9200): Graduate-Level Thesis Research in Crop Science

Thesis research for Ph.D. students before A exam has been passed.

CSS 921(9210): Doctoral-Level Dissertation Research in Crop Science

Dissertation research for Ph.D. candidates after A exam has been passed.

Environmental Information Science (EIS) Courses:

CSS 397(3970): Environmental Microbiology (also BIOMI 397[3970])

Discusses the biology, behavior, and function of microorganisms in natural environments in relation to past and present environmental conditions on Earth. Also considers the role of microorganisms in ecologically and environmentally significant processes through discussion of specific topics such as elemental cycles, nutrient cycling, transformation of pollutant chemicals, wastewater treatment, and environmental biotechnology.

CSS 410(4100): The GMO Debate: Environmental Impacts

This course covers issues pertaining to the agricultural use of genetically modified organisms with emphasis on evaluating their environmental impact. Students will learn to critically evaluate the risks of benefits associated with the use of GMOs. We will examine the types of GMOs in use and in development, how they are made, and their potential impacts on the environment including: gene flow, non-target effects, horizontal gene transfer, biodiversity effects and the implications of changes in farming practices and chemical inputs.

CSS 411(4110): Resource Inventory Methods (also CEE 411[4110])

Survey of resource inventory methods applied to field-based studies of environmental systems. Laboratory emphasis using maps, spatial databases, global positioning systems, and aerospace imagery to discriminate, measure, inventory, and monitor environmental resources.

CSS 420(4200): Geographic Information Systems

Principles and applications of geographic information systems for the characterization and assessment of agronomic and environmental resources. Emphasizes methods for accessing, updating, analyzing, and mapping spatial data and information. Considers needs assessment, coordinate systems, database design and maintenance, data transformations, and map accuracy assessment.

CSS 465(4650): Global Positioning Systems

Introduction to navigation-grade GPS instruments used in agricultural and environmental science. Topics include instrument familiarization; field-data collection and processing; real-time and post-differential correction; and GPS-GIS integration.

CSS 620(6200): Spatial Modeling and Analysis

Theory and practice in the development, integration, and visualization of spatial data for resource inventory, environmental process modeling, land classification and evaluation. Emphasizes application and evaluation of advanced spatial analytical methods applied to environmental systems and databases of interest to the student.

CSS 621(6210): Applications of Space-Time Statistics

Introduction to space-time statistics with applications in agriculture and environmental management. Topics include geostatistics, temporal statistics, sampling, experimental design, state-space analysis, data mining, and fuzzy logic. Focuses on landscape-scale processes and a user's perspective.

CSS 660(6600): Remote Sensing Fundamentals (also CEE 610[6100])

Introduces equipment and methods used in obtaining information about earth resources and the environment from aircraft or satellite. Covers sensors, sensor and ground-data acquisition, data analysis and interpretation, and project design.

CSS 675(6750): Modeling the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere System (also EAS 675[6750])

Introduction to the structure and use of soil-plant-atmosphere models. Topics covered include modeling plant physiology, morphology, and development; potential crop production and crop production limited by moisture and nutrient availability; plant-plant competition; and land surface processes as well as model data requirements, validation and scale. Discusses use of soil-plant-atmosphere models for teaching, research, extension, and policy formation.

CSS 694(6940): Special Topics in Environmental Information Science

Study of topics in environmental science that are more specialized or different from other courses. Special topics covered depend on staff and student interests.

CSS 860(8600): Master's-Level Thesis Research in Environmental Information Science

Thesis research for master's students.

CSS 960(9600): Graduate-Level Dissertation Research in Environmental Information Science

Dissertation research for Ph.D. students before A exam has been passed.

CSS 961(9610): Doctoral-Level Dissertation Research in Environmental Information Science

Dissertation research for Ph.D. candidates after A exam has been passed.

Soil Science Courses:

CSS 260(2600): Soil Science

Designed for students interested in a comprehensive introduction to soil science from both an environmental and plant management perspective. Divided into three units: (1) soil information unit introduces students to soil characterization, testing, mapping, classification, GIS, and land evaluation. (2) soil management unit addresses fertility, pest management, water, and microclimate, as well as erosion, conservation, pollution, and soil health. (3) unit on the role of soils in ecosystems considers topics such as biodiversity, soils as sinks and sources of greenhouse gases, and the impact of soils on land use. Labs are initially field-oriented with an emphasis on learning practical skills needed to evaluate and manage soils. Subsequent labs focus on accessing, interpreting, and applying soil information.

CSS 362(3620): Soil Morphology

Presents the principles for field identification of soil properties, profiles, and landscapes. A series of soil pits are examined, described, classified, and interpreted in the field.

CSS 363(3630): Soil Genesis, Classification, and Survey

Discusses factors and processes of soil formation on which soil survey is based. Practices principles of field identification, classification, survey, and interpretation in a field setting. Provides an overview of soil databases, their content, development, and use for site evaluation and land classification.

CSS 365(3650): Environmental Chemistry: Soil, Air, and Water

Overview of the chemical processes that control the fluxes, concentrations, and bioavailability of nutrients and pollutants in soil, air, and water. Gives particular attention is given to soil's function as a filter for contaminants. Describes the history of environmental contamination by xenobiotics and heavy metals, with emphasis on behavior and properties of pollutants that pose the greatest risk to human and ecological health.

CSS 372(3720): Nutrient Management in Agroecosystems

Familiarizes students with the basic concepts of soil fertility and biogeochemistry and how soil and environmental properties affect nutrient availability and cycling. Discussion focuses on the way organic farming and soil conservation affect the fate of nutrients in agroecosystems. Emphasizes how nutrient management can be improved without creating environmental hazards. Students have hands-on training in analytical procedures and expand knowledge in discussion groups and through oral as well as poster presentations.

CSS 412(4120): Whole-Farm Nutrient Management (also ANSC 412[4120])

For description, see ANSCI 412.

CSS 421(4210): Soil and Water Management

Introduces students to the principles of soil and water interaction and to the effects of human intervention. Examines aspects of soil and water management, including hydrology, soil erosion and conservation, water and soil quality, contaminant movement, tillage, and soil compaction. Discusses case studies and policy approaches from both the United States and abroad.

CSS 466(4660): Soil Ecology (also HORT 466[4660])

Discover the wonder of life underground. In this course, you will study the amazing diversity of soil organisms along with their multifaceted functions in terrestrial ecosystems. The fundamental principles and features of biologically-mediated processes in the soil and the functions of soil biota in both managed and unmanaged ecosystems will be highlighted. Special topics include: beneficial symbioses, biological control of plant pathogens, biogeochemistry of unique habitats, bioremediation and composting of organic wastes, among others. Laboratory focuses on molecular activities and traditional methods for assessing the abundance, activity, and diversity of soil organisms.

CSS 471(4170): Properties and Appraisal of Soils of the Tropics

Examines the conditions in which soils form, and considers ecological, geological, and vegetational factors that produce the diversity that exists among them. The major kinds of soils are recognized, their management properties described, and methods to alleviate the constraints to crop production and preservation of the environment are examined. Topics include the identification of soils, and their functions in sustaining traditional farming systems and advanced technological packages. The course pursues these themes reviewing the most recent sources of information generated in tropical countries and published in Latin-American, French, and English journals. The last part of the course gives special attention to salt-affected soils, paddy rice cultivation, and the characteristics of acid-sulfate soils. Lectures include slides of soils, landscapes, and cropping systems. The course is available on a compact disk in Mann Library.

CSS 472(4720): Nutrient Management and Research in Agroecosystems

Familiarizes students with the basic concepts of soil fertility and biogeochemistry and how soil and environmental properties affect nutrient availability and cycling. Discussion focuses on the way organic farming and soil conservation affect the fate of nutrients in agroecosystems. Emphasizes the way nutrient management can be improved without creating environmental hazards. Gives students hands-on training in analytical procedures and expand knowledge in discussion groups and through oral as well as poster presentations. The laboratory experiments conclude with a final paper.

CSS 483(4830): Environmental Biophysics (also EAS 483[4830])

Introduction to basic principles of energy and mass transfer and storage in soil-plant systems. Covers energy budgets, soil heat flow, water movement in saturated and unsaturated soils, evapotranspiration; and water, gas, and nutrient dynamics in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Considers applications to agronomic and environmental problems and instrument design and use through discussion and problem sets.

CSS 663(6630): Pedology

Weathering, reactions, and processes of soil genesis; principles of soil classification and the rationale and utilization of soil taxonomy, development and significance of major groups of soils of the world.

CSS 666(6660): Applied Plant-Microbe Interactions

This is a discussion and laboratory-based course that focuses on the nature of microbial interactions with plants, and concentrates largely on bacterial and fungal associations. Students will investigate symbiotic, associative, and endophytic and pathogenic interactions. The main aim of this subject is to help the students improve their professional practice, within the content area. Students will learn to examine the primary literature, present research reports, write and review proposals, conduct a small independent research project, and report on the outcomes in conference and journal formats. Class discussions will explore the nature of the rhizosphere and phylioshere environments as a habitat for microorganisms and the ecology of the organisms residing there through readings in the primary literature. In laboratory, all students will conduct an independent research project, aligned with their interests, in which they develop testable hypotheses and conduct experiments using relevant, modern methods.

CSS 667(6670): Advanced Soil Physics

Acquaints students with advanced topics in soil physics and physical-chemistry in a number of areas, including the statics and thermodynamics of soil water, the physics of swelling-shrinking soils, the transport of water and solutes in heterogeneous soils, the measurement of soil physical parameters, and the effect of spatial/temporal heterogeneity of soils on their physical characteristics. The format of the course, based in most years on weekly, individual tutorials, allows different topics to be covered, depending on the interest(s) of the students. If a group of students expresses interest, the course also can involve reflection on the detailed design of one or more laboratory or field experiments related to soil physics.

CSS 669(6690): Organic Matter--Soils, Sediments, and Waters

Discussion of current concepts on the chemical nature, dynamics, and properties of natural organics and organo-mineral associations in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Includes a modeling project of soil carbon dynamics in natural or agricultural ecosystems.

CSS 671(6710): Soil Chemistry

Detailed examination of the structure and surface chemistry of colloidal particles important to the function of soils. Emphasizes ion exchange; mineral-solution equilibria; and adsorption reactions of silicate clays, oxides, and organic matter. Describes the sorption behavior of environmental contaminants in soils, particularly metals and xenobiotics.

CSS 672(6720): Nutrient Cycling in Natural and Managed Ecosystems

Covers nutrient cycling in soil and the interface between the soil and the biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. Examines the biogeochemistry of nutrient elements in natural ecosystems, disturbed or degraded ecosystems, and agricultural systems, including pollution in watersheds. Students develop independent projects, present a research proposal, and conduct field research that culminates in a presentation and a paper in publishable format.

CSS 684(6840): Topics in Soil Microbial Ecology

Seminar and discussion course dealing with current topics in soil microbial ecology including: community ecology and diversity, microbial biogeography, biogeochemistry, plant-microbe interactions, microbial feedbacks on plant communities, gene exchange and evolution in soils, soil microbial genomics, and relationships between structure and function of microbial communities in soil systems.

CSS 693(6930): Special Topics in Soil Science

Study of topics in soil science that are more specialized or different from other courses. Special topics covered depend on staff and student interests.

CSS 696(6960): Seminar: Organic Inputs in Tropical Soils and Agroforestry (also NTRES/IARD 696[6960]

A variety of speakers present seminars on agroecological perspectives for primarily international sustainable development. Students are required to prepare a synopsis of each seminar.

CSS 880(8880): Master's-Level Thesis Research in Soil Science

Thesis research for master's students.

CSS 980(9800): Graduate-Level Dissertation Research in Soil Science

Dissertation research for Ph.D. students before A exam has been passed.

CSS 981(9810): Doctoral-Level Dissertation Research in Soil Science

Dissertation research for Ph.D. candidates after A exam has been passed.

General Courses:

CSS 190(1900): Sustainable Agriculture

This course concerns food, farming, and the future. Designed to introduce basic food production resources in the context of the human aspects of farming. The information is of general value for nonmajors and students new to the field. Several field trips enhance appreciation for the diversity of agriculture. Students can earn 1 extra credit by participating in team preparation and delivery of a lesson in sustainable agriculture.

CSS 494(4940): Special Topics in Crop and Soil Sciences (undergraduate level)

The department teaches trial courses under this number. Offerings vary by semester, and will be advertised by the department before the semester begins. Courses offered under this number will be approved by the department curriculum committee, and the same course is not offered more than twice under this number.

CSS 494(4940): Special Topics in Crop and Soil Sciences “Biotechnology and Development” – Section 2

            Spring. 2 credits. S-U or letter grades. J. E. Thies and R.J. Herring.

Of all the technological solutions to agronomic problems that have been proposed in the last few decades, none has created the level of backlash and controversy as those involving genetic biotechnology. Social protest and activist movements arise from ethical, cultural, religious, economic, environmental and political stances with regard to the use of transgenic technologies, particularly in agricultural development in poor countries. In this course, we will explore the roots of these controversies and follow the logics and economics of their development and deployment. We will try to identify the fundamental underpinnings of various arguments for and against the use of transgenic crops as a tool for agricultural development. Discussions on selected topics and associated directed readings will be led by the course coordinators and invited speakers. Students will be assessed on their participation in discussion and on a written position paper in the subject area.

CSS 497(4970): Individual Study in Crop and Soil Sciences

Topics in soil science, crop science, or environmental information science are arranged at the beginning of the semester for individual study or for group discussions.

CSS 498(4980): Teaching Experience in Crop and Soil Sciences

Teaching experience in soil science, crop science, or environmental information science is obtained by assisting in the instruction of a departmental course. This course should not be taken by teaching assistants.

CSS 499(4990): Undergraduate Research

Independent research on current problems selected from any phase of crop science, soil science, or environmental information science.

CSS 690(6900): Scientific Method in Practices

Students in this course study Hugh Gauch's book, Scientific Method in Practice, which is designed to help scientists become better scientists through deeper understanding of common themes that extend across the disciplines. Topics include the history and philosophy of science, reliance on evidence, deductive and inductive logic, probability, parsimony, and hypothesis testing.

CSS 696(6960): Seminar in Crop and Soil Sciences

Covers current research and selected topics in the crop and soil sciences and related fields.

CSS 696(6960) Sec 2: Agroecological Perspectives for Sustainable Development

Agroecological Perspective for Sustainable Development.