ALE 1100. Home and Garden Horticulture. 3 Credits.
Planning, selecting, and maintaining indoor plants, shrubs, trees, flowers, lawns, fruits, herbs and vegetables in and around the home. Plant propagation, as well as pests/diseases and their control, are also covered. This is a course with practical applications and is suitable for students in any major.
ALE 1150. Home and Garden Horticulture Lab. 1 Credit.
Provides students with basic horticultural skills to enable them to have a better understanding of the care and use of plants in and around the home including turf, ornamental flowers, trees and shrubs, vegetables, herbs and home garden fruit plants. Plant identification, propagation and pest/disease control are also covered. Pre/Co-requisite: .
ALE 1210. Intro to Agroecology. 3 Credits.
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. Catamount Core: N1, SU.
ALE 1280. A Bug's Life. 3 Credits.
An introduction to the world of insects and their impact on our everyday lives, from the food we eat to solving murder crimes.
ALE 1360. Illustrating Botanicals. 3 Credits.
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.
ALE 1370. Living Landscapes. 3 Credits.
Explores conservation 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 living landscapes in Vermont and beyond. Catamount Core: N1, SU.
ALE 1990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
ALE 1991. Internship. 1-3 Credits.
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.
ALE 1993. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
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.
ALE 1994. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.
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.
ALE 1995. Undergraduate Research. 1-18 Credits.
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.
ALE 2060. Entomology and Pest Management. 0 or 4 Credits.
Covers basic entomology, insect diversity and identification, and the basic principles of pest management. Prerequisite: and , or and , or .
ALE 2120. Weed Ecology and Management. 0 or 3 Credits.
Identification, ecology, and management of weeds and other invasive plants in agriculture, urban/suburban landscapes, and natural areas. Prerequisite: , , , or Instructor permission.
ALE 2170. Plant Pathology. 4 Credits.
Introduction to the causes of agricultural and forest plant diseases including examination of the relationship of the plant, pathogen, and environment in disease development and disease management. Prerequisite: , or and , or and , or , or Instructor permission. Cross-listed with: .
ALE 2200. Cold Climate Viticulture. 3 Credits.
Principles and practices of commercial cold-climate grape production, including: site selection and preparation; cold hardiness development; varietal selection; vine training and trellising systems; nutrient, water and pest management; harvest and postharvest considerations, including basic winemaking principles. Prerequisite: , , or Instructor permission.
ALE 2210. Indoor Plants. 1 Credit.
Indoor flowers, culture, related topics such as design. Prerequisite: , , one semester of Biology, or Instructor permission.
ALE 2230. Garden Flowers. 3 Credits.
Outdoor flowers, culture, related topics. Prerequisite: , , one semester of Biology, or Instructor permission.
ALE 2240. Sustainable Vegetable Crops Production. 3 Credits.
Introduces students to current practices in organic and conventional vegetable cropping systems and farm management. Prerequisite: , , or Instructor permission.
ALE 2250. Woody Landscape Plants. 0 or 4 Credits.
Identification, climatic requirements, cultural management, and use of woody ornamental plants (trees, shrubs, groundcovers and vines/climbers) in managed landscape settings. Prerequisites: or , or , or or or or or or or Instructor permission.
ALE 2270. Greenhouse Operations and Management. 0 or 4 Credits.
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: , , one semester of Biology, or Instructor permission.
ALE 2280. Intro to Hemp Production. 3 Credits.
An introduction to the botany, agronomy, and end-use potential of industrial hemp; an authoritative introduction for those interested in knowing more about this renewable material that is an excellent source of food, fiber, building products, and therapeutic resins. Prerequisite: , , or Instructor permission.
ALE 2370. Landscape Design Fundamentals. 3 Credits.
Introduces students to the history and principles of landscape design. Examines various aspects of built environments with consideration of natural and cultural phenomena, with topics to include: spatial scale, equity, land use, design precedent, soils, plants, water, recreation, transportation, and more. Prerequisite: , , , , ENVS 1520, , , or ; minimum Sophomore standing; or Instructor permission. Cross-listed with: , .
ALE 2371. Landscape Design Studio. 3 Credits.
Introduces students to the practice and profession of landscape design. Through a series of studio exercises, field trips, and a real-world final design project, explores the landscape design process from site inventories and analyses to conceptual plans and schematic planning, as well as other supporting design deliverables. Prerequisites: , , , or ; minimum Sophomore standing; or instructor permission. Pre/Co-requisite: . Cross-listed with: .
ALE 2380. Commercial Plant Propagation. 0 or 4 Credits.
Principles and practices involved in propagating herbaceous and woody plants by seeds, division, layering, cuttings, budding, grafting, and aseptic tissue culture and micropropagation. Prerequisite: or , or or or or or or Instructor permission.
ALE 2430. Forage and Pasture Management. 4 Credits.
Forage crops and grasslands play a central role in sustainable and diversified agriculture. Covers the scientific principles and practical applications of the production, management, and utilization of perennial and annual forage crops used by livestock and equine. Pre/Co-requisite: , , , , , , or Instructor permission. Cross-listed with: .
ALE 2540. Composting Ecology and Management. 3 Credits.
Examines ecological, physical and chemical principles, the practical management of the composting process, and benefits of using compost in plant and soil ecosystems. Prerequisite: Three credits in basic biological or ecological science or Instructor permission. Cross-listed with: .
ALE 2560. Permaculture. 0 or 3 Credits.
Design of agriculturally productive environments that have the diversity, stability, and resilience of the natural biosphere to harmoniously integrate landscape and people. Prerequisites: , , , , , , another basic ecology course, or Instructor permission. Cross-listed with: . Catamount Core: N1, SU.
ALE 2610. Fundamentals of Soil Science. 0 or 4 Credits.
Biological, chemical, and physical properties of the dynamic soil system as related to plant growth and environmental problems. Prerequisite: Inorganic chemistry or permission. Catamount Core: SU.
ALE 2620. Soil Fertility and Conservation. 3 Credits.
An ecological approach to soil management including nutrient supply and uptake, rhizosphere-microbial interactions, soil conservation, and nutrient management strategies. Prerequisite: or Instructor permission. Cross-listed with: .
ALE 2810. Professional Development: Agriculture, Landscape, and Environment. 1 Credit.
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 and Landscape Design Major; minimum Sophomore standing; or Instructor permission.
ALE 2990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
ALE 2991. Internship. 1-18 Credits.
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.
ALE 2993. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
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.
ALE 2994. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.
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.
ALE 2995. Undergraduate Research. 1-18 Credits.
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.
ALE 3080. Agricultural Policy and Ethics. 3 Credits.
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: , , or equivalent. Cross-listed with: . Catamount Core: S1, WIL2.
ALE 3090. Diversified Farm Planning. 3 Credits.
Students study diverse farming systems to gain financial, management, and technical knowledge to plan a new or evaluate and existing farm enterprise. Prerequisites: and one 2000-level ALE course, equivalent experience, or Instructor permission.
ALE 3100. Diversified Farm Operations. 6 Credits.
An experiential course in sustainable, diversified vegetable production that includes soil fertility, weed, insect and disease control, crop planning and farm management skills. Prerequisites: and one 2000-level ALE course, equivalent experience, or Instructor permission.
ALE 3120. Advanced Agroecology. 0 or 4 Credits.
An in-depth overview of research and applications in the field of agroecology, including current ecological and social dynamics in agricultural landscapes in Vermont and abroad. Prerequisites: or one semester ecology at the 2000-level or above or Instructor permission. Catamount Core: SU.
ALE 3210. Sustainable Orchard Management. 3 Credits.
Principles and practices of commercial tree fruit production, including site considerations; cultivars; training; nutrient, water and pest management; harvest and postharvest considerations. Special emphasis on environmental and economic sustainability of the orchard system. Pre/Co-requisites: , , , , , or ; .
ALE 3250. Eco Frontiers in Agroecology. 3 Credits.
Examines recent peer-reviewed research that has the potential to transform the productivity or sustainability of agroecosystems. Students will be guided in developing, communicating, and justifying new questions that may potentially transform agroecology. Prerequisites: , or , ; , , , or equivalent; or Instructor permission. Catamount Core: QD, WIL2.
ALE 3320. Biological Control. 3 Credits.
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. Catamount Core: QD, WIL2.
ALE 3380. Ecological Landscape Design. 4 Credits.
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; or one course in ecology plus one course in design or drawing.
ALE 3610. Soil Morphology and Land Use. 0 or 3 Credits.
Field techniques that describe soil properties, formation, and classification. The principles and processes of soil genesis, land use classification systems, and land use challenges. Prerequisite: or Instructor permission.
ALE 3640. Chemistry of Soil and Water. 0 or 4 Credits.
An environmentally oriented study of the colloidal chemistry of soil and its interfaces with roots, water, and air. Prerequisites: , two semesters Chemistry or Instructor permission.
ALE 3680. Soil Ecology. 0 or 4 Credits.
Underlying concepts and theory of modern soil ecology will be reviewed including spatial and temporal distributions, sampling methods, biogeochemical cycles, and ecological functions of soil. Prerequisites: or ; . Cross-listed with: . Catamount Core: N2, QD.
ALE 3690. Soil/Water Pollution/Bioremediation. 3 Credits.
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: or Instructor permission.
ALE 3990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
ALE 3991. Internship. 1-18 Credits.
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.
ALE 3993. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
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.
ALE 3994. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.
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.
ALE 3995. Undergraduate Research. 1-18 Credits.
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.
ALE 4990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
ALE 4991. Internship. 1-18 Credits.
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.
ALE 4993. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
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.
ALE 4994. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.
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.
ALE 4995. Undergraduate Research. 1-18 Credits.
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.
ALE 5990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
ALE 5991. Internship. 1-18 Credits.
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.
ALE 5993. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
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.
ALE 5994. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.
Student service as a teaching assistant, usually in an introductory level course in the discipline, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
ALE 5995. Graduate Independent Research. 1-18 Credits.
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.
ALE 6010. Professional Skills Colloquium. 1 Credit.
Presentation and peer review of oral and written communication. Professional development skills including technical writing, literature review, mentorship, scientific integrity, grant proposals, and job market.
ALE 6110. Introduction to Agroecology. 3 Credits.
In-depth overview of research and applications in the field of agroecology, with a focus on providing the student with conceptual and analytical content.
ALE 6120. Ecological Foundations of Agroecology. 3 Credits.
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: or Instructor permission.
ALE 6130. PAR and Transdisciplinary Agroecology. 3 Credits.
Introduces students to Participatory Action Research (PAR) in the context of agroecology, and examines how the integration of PAR and transdisciplinary approaches can serve to deepen our collective understanding of complex problems/issues. Prerequisite: .
ALE 6140. Agroecology, Food Sovereignty and Social Movements. 3 Credits.
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.
ALE 6150. Agroecology Grad Capstone. 3 Credits.
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 6391. Master's Thesis Research. 1-18 Credits.
Research for Master's Thesis.
ALE 6940. Seminar Series. 1 Credit.
Presentations of personal research by faculty, Graduate students, and outside guest speakers. Attendance and oral presentations are required of Graduate students in Plant and Soil Science. Repeatable two times for Master's students and four times for Doctoral students.
ALE 6990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
ALE 6991. Internship. 1-18 Credits.
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.
ALE 6993. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
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.
ALE 6994. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.
Student service as a teaching assistant, usually in an introductory level course in the discipline, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
ALE 6995. Graduate Independent Research. 1-18 Credits.
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.
ALE 7491. Doctoral Dissertation Research. 1-18 Credits.
Research for Doctoral Dissertation.
ALE 7990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
ALE 7991. Internship. 1-18 Credits.
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.
ALE 7993. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
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.
ALE 7994. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.
Student service as a teaching assistant, usually in an introductory level course in the discipline, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
ALE 7995. Graduate Independent Research. 1-18 Credits.
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.