PLSCS 5440

Integrated Pest Management

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2023-2024 Catalog.

Lectures integrate the principles of pest control, ecology, and economics in the management of pests across multiple systems. Labs consist of exercises to reinforce concepts presented in lecture and demonstrate pest monitoring techniques and the application of computer technology to management problems.

Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: introductory biology or permission of instructor.

Outcomes

• a. Students will appreciate the often overlooked economic and ecological underpinnings of pest outbreaks. b. Students will be able to identify and evaluate ethical issues involved with pest management.
• a. Students will acquire the abilities to use multiple integrated techniques to assess pest populations and determine if treatment is warranted. b. Students will develop underlying skills to evaluate pest management alternatives and develop integrated pest management plans.
• a. Students will participate actively in discussion and debate about integrated pest management with peers. b. Students will work together to facilitate discussion and understanding of contentious issues. c. Students will gain experience searching the scientific literature to learn more about integrated pest management from primary sources.
• a. Students will conduct research with team members to report on the management of a specific pest of their choice. b. Students will summarize and codify data from a literature review to learn about the hypothesis-driven approach to scientific research.

When Offered Spring.

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