Course Description: Principles and practices of weed science, entomology, and plant pathology applied to crop production systems. Biology, ecology and principles of integrated crop pest management. Required course for the Master of Science in Agronomy degree program and Agronomy Graduate Certificate program.

Course Prerequisites: AGRON 181 or equivalent, AGRON 501, MATH 140, CHEM 163, BIOL 101; AGRON 502 and AGRON 503 recommended
Restricted to graduate students enrolled in MS Agronomy and Agronomy Graduate Certificate online degree program at ISU. Students from other departments must get permission.

Course Overview

Some of the modules in this course may take more of your time than you have experienced with some of the other courses in the MS Agronomy curriculum. We have a considerable amount of basic biology to cover in this course for weed, pathogen, and insect pests. Understanding the basic biology and ecology of these organisms is crucial to understanding the management methods that we will cover in the companion course Agronomy 533 (Crop Protection). To guide you in your time management for this class, I have developed a time frame for modules and assignments (see the course calendar in Canvas). Module assignments must be submitted by 9 am the day of the due date (i.e. assignments will be docked as of 9:01 am that day). Late assignment scores will be docked 10% per day late (a 9/10 score becomes 8/10, then 7/10, etc.). All assignments are due on the server by the date specified in the course calendar or no credit will be given. It is imperative that you stay on schedule with the course material! Please work ahead if you know that your study time will be compromised in upcoming weeks. You are encouraged to do assignments and discussion postings several days in advance of their due dates. Read the discussion threads! Information discussed in these discussion threads may form the basis of, or be of great help on, future exam questions. Also, be sure to check the course calendar weekly for current start and due dates!

Not all modules in this course will take the same amount of time to complete. Please begin all modules on time to assure adequate time for coverage of the materials.

Module 1. Scope and Concepts of IPM 
    Developed by Scott Heuchelin and Allan Ciha

Module 2. Strategies for Integrated Pest Management
    Developed by Scott Heuchelin and Allan Ciha

Module 3. Concepts of Abiotic Disease in Plants
    Developed by Scott Heuchelin and Allan Ciha

Module 4a. Concepts of Biotic Disease in Plants: Fungi

Module 4b. Concepts of Biotic Disease in Plants: Bacteria, Viruses, and Nematodes
    Developed by Scott Heuchelin and Allan Ciha

Module 5. Recognition of Major Diseases in Agronomic Crops
    Developed by Scott Heuchelin, Gary Munkvold, and Allan Ciha

Module 6. Etiology and Pathogenesis
    Developed by Scott Heuchelin, Gary Munkvold, and Allan Ciha

Module 7. Epidemiology (disease in populations of plants)
    Developed by Scott Heuchelin, Gary Munkvold, and Allan Ciha

Module 8. Insect Characteristics, Structure, and Function
    Developed by Stephen Lefko, Jon Tollefson, and Scott Heuchelin

Module 9. The Insect Life Cycle
    Developed by Stephen Lefko, Jon Tollefson, and Scott Heuchelin

Module 10. Ecology and Role of Insects in Ecosystems
    Developed by Anthony Boughton, Jon Tollefson, and Scott Heuchelin

Module 11. Insect/Host Interactions and Pest Management
    Developed by Anthony Boughton, Jon Tollefson, and Scott Heuchelin

Module 12. Concepts of Plants as Weeds
    Developed by Michael Owen and Scott Heuchelin

Module 13. Effects of Crop Production of Weed Populations and Competition
    Developed by Scott Heuchelin and Michael Owen

Module 14. Weed Identification
    Developed by Scott Heuchelin and Allan Ciha 

Course Objectives

The objective of Agronomy 514 is to familiarize the student with the basic concepts of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and the basic biology and ecology of plant pests. The students are expected to master this background information so that they can:

• Understand the basis for the pest management strategies presented in the follow-up course (Agronomy 533). The material presented in this course (Agronomy 514) will help you understand "how" and "why" various pest management strategies work.
• Trouble-shoot their pest-management systems in the future. A good knowledge of pest biology is crucial for trouble shooting ineffective management systems or fine tuning a pest management system that is not performing as well as was expected.
• Become a more well-rounded agronomist. Whether you will have the opportunity to implement IPM strategies in the future or not, knowledge of these systems will aid you in understanding the complex interactions of pests and crops and how these interactions affect agronomic business decisions.

Course Structure

Course Materials Format

The online course materials in Agronomy 514 consist of 15 modules.

Each module is designed to take one week to complete. Your weekly activities will typically include the following:

• Reading the online modules and utilizing the included learning tools.
• Reading any required textbook pages.
• Completing and submitting each Assignment. Assignments allow you to practice the concepts you have learned in each module.
• Responding thoughtfully to each Discussion Topic. 
• Completing and submitting each Module Reflection.
• Participation in Office Hours. Not mandatory.

Required Textbook

• Agrios, George. Plant Pathology. 5th ed. January 2005. Elsevier Science. ISBN 9780120445653
• Pedigo, Larry and Marlin Rice. Entomology and Pest Management. 6th ed. November 2014. Waveland Press. ISBN: 9781478622857

Some modules will have required and/or suggested readings in addition to the textbook assignment. These readings will be available to you via the Course Reserves link in the main navigation of the course.

Instructor Interactions

Office Hours: Key activities in Office Hours include answering unclear content from modules, review of key module content, assignment issues/questions, and preparation for exams.

Email: Feel free to message the instructor via the Canvas Inbox if you have any questions or concerns.

Discussions: Discussions will be student based. Instructor will make additional comments and answer questions after discussion is complete. Feel free to draw the instructor into the discussion with a question. 

Graded Feedback: All graded assessments will be returned with feedback within 7 days of the due date. Be sure to check your graded submissions for comments regarding your work and look for weekly emails addressing common issues I find while grading your submitted Assignments and Module Reflections.

Grading Procedures

Assignments	~69%
Discussions	~14%
Module Reflections	~17%
	100%

Expectations

Assignments

There is at least one assignment each week. Point values for assignment questions vary, depending on the amount of work/time they require. The assignment total 20 points for each module. Check the course calendar for due dates. Points earned will be docked 10% per day starting after 9 am of the due date. Assignments grades counts for 72% of the grade.

Discussion Topics

Discussion Topics are worth 4 points per module. Points are earned through your active participation within your discussion group and are based on your total contribution to the discussion topic. The number of points earned will reflect the quality of your contribution. As students in this program, you come with a range of experiences to draw on for the discussion questions. Use information learned in this class and from other courses you have taken. Everyone is expected to participate in discussion postings in each assigned discussion topic. 

Visit the discussion board frequently and respond to your classmate's postings and their comments on your postings. A single posting will NOT result in full points. You will need to make 2-3 comments for full points on the discussion topic.  If you are the discussion leader for a module and you do not submit a discussion summary, you will be docked one point.

Discussion Groups

The class will be divided into two or three discussion groups depending on the size of the class. You will only have access to your group's discussion board. Everyone has access to the Main Discussion Board where group discussion summaries are posted.

Discussion Moderator

For each module discussion topic one of the group members will serve as discussion moderator. The purpose of moderating is to build your leadership and professional skills in leading a discussion group. The moderator's task is to promote thoughtful and in-depth discussion on the given topic, and to encourage everyone to contribute to the discussion. The moderator may initiate the discussion with open-ended questions to the topic. The moderator can follow-up with comments, expand on comments, ask additional questions, or request for clarification, as needed. The moderator will summarize the group's discussion at the end of the discussion session and post the summary on the Course Questions discussion in Canvas. The summary should be posted within 5 days of the close of the initial module discussion.  If you do not submit a summary, one point will be removed from your discussion score. 

The summary should communicate the highlights of the respective group's discussion. The length of the summary should be only a few sentences (i.e. no more than 150-200 words). Focus on the main points made during the discussion and include any conclusions or recommendations that came out of the discussion session; do not include who said what in the summary. The moderator will post the summary on the Course Questions discussion in Canvas for the rest of the class to read. It is suggested that the summary be shared first within the group to check that the group agrees that it is representative of the overall discussion. The summary should be written logically, flow smoothly and be free of writing and spelling errors. The discussion summaries will allow each subgroup to learn from the others without having to read all of the postings. Additional comments or discussion can be made on the Course Questions discussion in Canvas.

Module Reflection

Due the same day as module assignments. Journal entries are worth a total of 5 possible points per module. The journal is designed to help you reflect on the module, self-evaluate your learning style, and improve your learning skills.

Policies

Communication Policy

All communication within the course should adhere to university standards of Netiquette at ISU. Specifically, communication should be scholarly, respectful, professional, and polite. You are encouraged to disagree with other students, but such disagreements need to be based upon facts and documentation. It is the instructor’s goal to promote an atmosphere of mutual respect in our interactions. Please contact me if you have suggestions for improving the interactions in this course.

For this course, communication will occur primarily via the Canvas Inbox.  General announcements may also be posted to the Announcements section of Canvas. The Course Questions discussion is an excellent place to post questions and comments relevant to the module or of general agronomic interest. Keep informed—check the Course Questions discussion frequently or subscribe to updates.  

Be sure to properly configure your Notification settings or commit yourself to checking Canvas daily for new communication.

Additional guidelines apply to communication within your discussion topics. Please review the Discussion Topics section above. I will monitor discussions are they progress and interject as needed. Following the Discussions I will provide summary feedback.

After the Module Reflections have been submitted, I will review them and email the students with the summary.

Constructive, personalized feedback for Assignments will be presented in Canvas under the comments section of the graded item.

Throughout the semester I will remain in contact with students regarding late assignments, helpful hints, or any other course announcements.

I am always available for an appointment by phone. I will monitor the Course Questions discussion board and my Inbox during "regular business hours" to address questions and issues that arise. Typically, you can expect a response within 24 hours.  All requests made during the weekend will be addressed first thing Monday morning, possibly sooner.

Feedback Policy

All graded assessments will be returned with feedback within 7 days of the due date. Be sure to check your graded submissions for comments regarding your work and look for weekly emails addressing common issues I find while grading your submitted Assignments and Module Reflections.

Deadlines

All deadlines are posted on the course calendar in Canvas and you will be notified of any changes via an Announcement in Canvas.

It is important that activities are completed in a timely fashion. This facilitates my scoring of assignments and discussion. 

Academic Integrity Policy

The class will follow ISU's policy on academic dishonesty. Anyone suspected of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Students Office. It is your responsibility to understand ISU's policy on academic plagiarism. All Discussions and Exam Questions will be screened for plagiarized content. There are several resources available to help you avoid committing academic misconduct.

• Academic Dishonesty at ISU: Description
• MS Agronomy Program: Writing Guide
• Dean of Students Office: Resources for Students
• American Society of Agronomy Publications: Handbook & Style Manual
• ISU Writing and Media Center: Writing Resource

Disability Accommodation

Iowa State University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Sect 504 of the rehabilitation Act. If you have a disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course, please contact the instructor to set up a meeting within the first two weeks of the semester or as soon as you become aware of your need. Before meeting, you will need to obtain a SAAR form with recommendations for accommodations from the Disability Resources Office, located in Room 1076 on the main floor of the Student Services Building. Their telephone number is 515-294-7220 or email disabilityresources@iastate.edu. Retroactive requests for accommodations will not be honored.

Harassment and Discrimination

Iowa State University strives to maintain our campus as a place of work and study for faculty, staff, and students that is free of all forms of prohibited discrimination and harassment based upon race, ethnicity, sex (including sexual assault), pregnancy, color, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a U.S. veteran. Any student who has concerns about such behavior should contact his/her instructor, Student Assistance at 515-294-1020 or email dsosas@iastate.edu, or the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance at 515-294-7612.

Religious Accommodation

If an academic or work requirement conflicts with your religious practices and/or observances, you may request reasonable accommodations. Your request must be in writing, and your instructor or supervisor will review the request. You or your instructor may also seek assistance from the Dean of Students Office or the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance.

Study Tips

• Start each module on the date indicated on the calendar (or sooner). You will need to complete one module every 4-5 days. As a general rule, allow about 6 to 8 hours per module (4 hours to do the module + 2 hours to do assignments and participate in discussions + 2 hours for text readings. Some modules will take longer than 2 hours to read.). Spread your study time over several days. Work ahead when you know that you will be out-of-town or unable to do a module during its designated week. Do not get behind!
• Do each In Detail as you come across its link in the module. In Details contain required information. Also visit each FYI page, so that you know where this supplementary information is located.
• Do each Study Question and Try This! as encountered. They are designed to enhance your learning, to provide opportunities to apply the information presented, and to let you evaluate your understanding of the material. They often expand on the concepts.
• Assignments and Discussion Topics may be done as they appear or after you finish the module and readings. Be sure to submit all assignments and discussion postings on time! While you may work ahead (if necessary), the most interactive environment occurs when all students are on the same module.
• Interact with your classmates and instructor. Discussions on the discussion board can be used for anything relating to IPM or other pertinent agronomic topics. Many current events will occur while the course is in session, and they can provide good discussion and learning situations for everyone.
• Do the text readings. Readings from the text and modules complement each other and are required unless listed as "Supportive Readings." Although supportive readings are optional, they provide additional information to reinforce the concepts presented in the module. At the minimum, you should at least "speed read" or skim these readings.
• Something unclear? Consult with your instructor and/or classmates.

Support

Category	Description	Action
Course Content Support	Questions related to course content or grading should be directed to the course instructor.	Instructor via Canvas Inbox
Student Support	The Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching is an organization dedicated to supporting, promoting, and enhancing teaching effectiveness and student learning at ISU. Self-guided orientation which you may find useful.	CELT: Online Learner Support Self-Guided Orientation
Canvas Technical Support	If you experience any technical issues while using Canvas, contact the Solution Center. The Solution Center's hours are posted on their website.	Solution Center
Technology support	If you have any technical issues while using the University Library's Course Reserves system, please contact the The Library's Help Desk hours are posted on their website. For all other technical issues, contact Agron DevLab Support. The Agronomy Development Lab staff is guaranteed to respond to requests within 24 hours during regular business hours. All requests made during the weekend will be addressed first thing Monday morning.	Agron DevLab Support Library staff
Writing Support	The MS Agronomy program has built a Writing Guide to help answer some of the questions you may have while working on your courses. Deborah Burns is available for one-on-one consultations and can assist you with any part of the writing process. Schedule an appointment with Deborah through the CELT's website (Links to an external site.) or via email.	Writing Guide CELT Website (Links to an external site.) or email.
Library and research support	Anita Kay is the liaison librarian to the Department of Agronomy. She can help find any article, book or any other piece of information that you want assistance finding.  Anita has also built a really useful Agronomy Research Guide (Links to an external site.).	Anita Kay Agronomy Research Guide (Links to an external site.)
Department Contact	Contact Dr. Allen Knapp, Associate Chair for Academics in Agronomy, if issues persist after working with the support systems listed above.	Dr. Allen Knapp