Plant
and Soil Science Sample Syllabus
This course is designed to introduce students to areas and concepts involved in Plant and Soil Science. Students will learn to apply scientific principles and concepts through theory and hands-on experiments. This course will strengthen the students' knowledge of science and give them a better understanding of the environment, plant growth, plant classification and identification and the importance of soil. This course will count toward meeting science requirements for high school graduation and can lead to advanced standing college credit for cooperating higher education instititutions.
Course Content:
A. Plant Growth
1. Become familiar
with terms used in plant growth and reproduction
2. Explain
transpiration, respiration and photosynthesis
3. Label the parts of a
plant
4. Discuss genetics and
genetic engineering within plant science
5. Using an experiment,
calculate germination rates of various seeds
B. Soils
1. Identify soil
texture and structure from soil samples and how it effects soil water
2. Identify the horizons
in a soil profile and describe their importance
3. List the primary,
secondary and micro nutrients present in soil
4. List land capability
classes, their descriptions and their uses
5. Compare potting soil
and other nursery/greenhouse planting media to soil
6. Participate in a FFA
Land Judging CDE
C. Soil Conservation
1. Become familiar
with terms used in soil conservation
2. Identify types and
causes of soil erosion
3. List common practices
used to prevent soil erosion
4. Discuss the
implications of soil erosion on agriculture, the environment and wildlife
5. Identify resources
for information and assistance with soil conservation
6. Calculate top soil
erosion
D. Fertilizers
1. Describe proper
safety procedures involved in handling, storage, and application
of
fertilizers
2. List types of
fertilizers, appropriate uses, and application processes
3. List common
components of fertilizers and the relationship it has on the purpose
of
application
4. Discuss symptoms of
nutrient deficient soil including pH
5. Calculate the
appropriate amount of Nitrogen to be applied to a given deficient soil
6. Perform a plant
growth experiment to determine the quality of common fertilizers
E. Plant Selection, Soil Preparation and Planting
1. Become familiar
with terms used in plant selection, soil preparation and planting
2. Be able to determine
types of plants and their uses
3. Define different
propagation methods for growing plants
4. Identify necessary
nutrients to grow plants
5. Identify common
weeds, grasses, trees and selected ornamental plants
6. List factors and
methods of site selection and soil preparation for planting
7. List and describe
types of propagation methods
8. Prepare and plant a
small area with a selected plant or crop
F. Common Pests in Plant Science
1. Define pest
2. List and describe the
affects of pests on plants and crops
3. Identify common
insects that affect plants
4. Identify signs of
insect damage
5. Recognize and
identify weeds
6. Identify plant
diseases
7. Select appropriate
chemicals or other treatments for controlling common pests on
plants or in
crops
8. Practice proper
safety in handling, storage and disposal of pesticides
9. Identify the active
ingredient in commonly used pesticides
G. Pasture and Range
1. Define pasture and
range management and its purpose
2. Identify and classify
forage grasses
3. Identify and classify
forage legumes
3. Become familiar with
terms associated with pasture and range management
4. List practices used
in pasture and range management
5. Participate in a FFA
Pasture and Range CDE
H. The Horticulture Industry
1. Identify from a
list, areas of the horticulture industry. (text)
2. Describe different
areas of the horticulture industry.
3. List career areas
within the horticulture industry.
4. Match careers in the
Horticulture industry with the appropriate fields of Horticulture.
5. Determine personal
characteristics that employers seek in employees.
I. Marketing Crops
1. Become familiar
with terms associated with marketing crops
2. Discuss variables
that effect prices and marketing of crops
3. Identify methods of
marketing crops including cash, futures contracts and hedging
4. Calculate break-even
costs
5. Calculate projected
yields
6. Identify common and
specialty crops
7. Discuss supply and
demand
8. Participate in the
FFA Commodity Marketing Challenge
Grading Policy: The course will follow the school grading policy.
93-100 A
85-92 B
75-84 C
65-74 D
below 64 F
Grades will be determined by averaging test scores to equal 65% of the grade, averaging scores earned through hands-on classroom activities and projects to equal 30% of the grade, and the score earned in the area of their supervised project to equal 5% of the grade.
Note
Other items to consider when completing this course syllabus include:
1. Textbook used
2. Behavior expectations or routine you want followed
3. What to bring to class each day
4. Supplies or money that will be needed for the class
5. Any other item you feel would help parents and students know what to
expect.
Suggestions: