Analyzes factors driving current agricultural production systems, the problems associated with the industrial agriculture model, and the variety of approaches and practices for producing food in an ecologically sound and socially just manner.
An introduction to the world of insects and their impact on our everyday lives, from the food we eat to solving murder crimes.
Training in the skills required to produce aesthetically pleasing visual representations of botanical subjects grounded in technically correct plant morphology and anatomy. Use of line, shading, and color explored in depth. Media include graphite, pen and ink, colored pencils and watercolor. Includes a final project. Prerequisite: Junior/Senior Standing.
Explores conservation planning and design strategies for restoring healthy ecosystems and building healthy livable communities. Through lectures, guest speakers, case studies, book discussions, field trips, and real-world class projects, students are given hands-on opportunities to learn about ecological planning in Vermont and beyond.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
Indoor flowers, culture, related topics such as design. Prerequisite: ALE 1100, ALE 1210, one semester of Biology, or Instructor permission.
Outdoor flowers, culture, related topics. Prerequisite: ALE 1100, ALE 1210, one semester of Biology, or Instructor permission.
Introduces students to current practices in organic and conventional vegetable cropping systems and farm management. Prerequisite: ALE 1100, ALE 1210, or Instructor permission.
Principles and practices of commercial greenhouse management including construction, heating, cooling, container media, watering, fertilization, light and temperature, growth regulators, integrated pest management and disease control. Prerequisite: ALE 1100, ALE 1210, one semester of Biology, or Instructor permission.
Principles and practices involved in propagating herbaceous and woody plants by seeds, division, layering, cuttings, budding, grafting, and aseptic tissue culture and micropropagation. Prerequisite: PBIO 1040 or ALE 1100, ALE 1210 or ALE 1370 or BIOL 1400 or BIOL 1450 or BCOR 1400 or BCOR 1450 or Instructor permission.
Design of agriculturally productive environments that have the diversity, stability, and resilience of the natural biosphere to harmoniously integrate landscape and people. Prerequisites: ALE 1100, ALE 1210, BIOL 1450, NR 2030, BCOR 1450, BCOR 2100, another basic ecology course, or Instructor permission. Cross-listed with: ENVS 2654.
An ecological approach to soil management including nutrient supply and uptake, rhizosphere-microbial interactions, soil conservation, and nutrient management strategies. Prerequisite: ALE 2610 or Instructor permission. Cross-listed with: ENVS 2656.
Students will develop and articulate a professional philosophy and improve skills in career development including writing, resume preparation, effective interviewing and negotiation. Prerequisite: Ecological Agriculture, Sustainable Landscape Horticulture, or Agroecology & Landscape Design Major; minimum Sophomore standing; or Instructor permission.
On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
Undergraduate student service as a teaching assistant, usually in an introductory level course in the discipline, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
Undergraduate student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
Offers practical tools and theoretical frameworks for developing planting design methodologies, emphasizing the cultural and environmental aspects of plant communities. Through lectures, field trips, and assignments, students will explore and apply principles of planting design, focusing on spatial structure, plant performance, ecological value, cultural significance, ornamental qualities, and technical considerations for installation and maintenance. Prerequisites: ALE 2370, ALE 2371, ALE 2230, and ALE 2250; minimum Junior standing; or Instructor permission.
An examination of American agriculture and policies from various perspectives - historical, political, ecological, technological, social, economic, and ethical. Emphasis on contemporary issues, policy options, and future development. Prerequisites: CDAE 2020, ALE 3120, or equivalent. Cross-listed with: CDAE 3080.
Students study diverse farming systems to gain financial, management, and technical knowledge to plan a new or evaluate and existing farm enterprise. Prerequisites: ALE 1210 and one 2000-level ALE course, equivalent experience, or Instructor permission.
Describes theory and application of biological control of insects, disease, and weeds. Discuss ecological factors that contribute to the success of classical, augmentative, and conservation approaches to biological control. Prerequisite: Course in entomology, ecology, or relevant experience.
Studio course synthesizing work from fields of landscape ecology and landscape design, exploring ecological design alternatives at multiple scales, and developing multifunctional landscape solutions. Prerequisites: Junior standing; ALE 2370 or one course in ecology plus one course in design or drawing.
Focuses on constructing and detailing the primary landforms and hardscape components utilized in the landscape design industry. These components include landforms, grading, drainage systems, patios, paths, ramps, bike paths, staircases, retention walls, permeable parking lots, and green infrastructure such as wetlands, bioswales, green roofs, rain barrels, and living walls. Students will use standard tools and REVIT for different fields and computer lab exercises. Prerequisites: ALE 2371 or CDAE 1010; minimum Sophomore standing; or Instructor permission. Pre/Co-requisites: ALE 2371, CDAE 1010.
Provides a comprehensive understanding of land use planning in a changing world. Students will be working on two projects that could enable communities and regions to thrive, exploring the driving forces of change in the landscape and developing strategic plans for addressing international challenges. Explores the intersection of landscape planning and international challenges, such as climate crisis, global economies, and biodiversity preservation. Prerequisites: ALE 2371 or CDAE 1010; minimum Sophomore standing; or Instructor permission. Pre/Co-requisites: ALE 2371, CDAE 1010.
Examines key issues in pollution of soil and water. Topics include type of pollutants, their reactions in soil and water, pollution prevention and bioremediation. Prerequisites: ALE 2610 or Instructor permission.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
Student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
Examines the ecological foundations of agroecology, largely from a biophysical perspective. Over the course of three sequential modules, students will explore the fundamental principles of ecology and their application to agricultural systems and landscapes. Prerequisite: ALE 6110 or Instructor permission.
Investigates social, political, and economic elements of the global food system from multiple perspectives, considering the ability to scale-up agroecology, and the potential intersection between agroecology, food sovereignty and government policies.
The capstone designed for the application of newly developed knowledge and skills in a culminating experience/project that addresses an agroecological topic relevant to the individual student. Prerequisites: ALE 6110, ALE 6120, ALE 6130, ALE 6140.
Research for Master’s Thesis.
Presentations of personal research by faculty, Graduate students, and outside guest speakers. Attendance and oral presentations are required of Graduate students in Plant & Soil Science. Repeatable two times for Master's students and four times for Doctoral students.
Research for Doctoral Dissertation.