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The Certificate in Plant Protection

Course Requirements for the Certificate: 46-48 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this certificate.

This certificate fulfills the eligibility requirements for taking the State of California Pest Control Advisor (PCA) exam. An overall grade point average of 2.5 is required for the entire program.

Chemistry: 4 units

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
CHEM 107 General Chemistry for Applied Sciences   4.0 FS  GE
Prerequisites: GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning Ready, Intermediate Algebra.
A survey of the principles of chemistry, primarily for students in agriculture, industry and technology, and pre-nursing. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (001826)
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I   4.0 FS  GE
Prerequisites: GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning Ready; second-year high school algebra; one year high school chemistry. (One year of high school physics and one year of high school mathematics past Algebra II are recommended.)
Principles of chemistry for students in science and engineering programs. Topics include atoms, molecules and ions, reactions, stoichiometry, the periodic table, bonding, chemical energy, gases, and solution chemistry. The laboratory sequence supports the above topics including both qualitative and quantitative experiments, analysis of data, and error propagation. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (001816)

Physical and Biological Sciences: 9 units

3 courses required:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
AGRI 331 Agricultural Ecology Green Leaf Representing that this course is Sustainable 3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: Completion of lower-division core or faculty permission.
An interdisciplinary treatment of physical and biological environments used for agriculture. Historical and ecological nature of agriculture its impact on the landscape and society. Comparison of sustainable and non-sustainable agricultural practices. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (000206)
PSSC 101 Introduction to Plant Science   3.0 FS  GE
Plant structure, growth, reproduction, and responses to the environment. How humans modify plants and the environment to grow crops. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (007765)
PSSC 250 Introduction to Soil Science   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: CHEM 107 or CHEM 111.
Soil biology, fertility, chemistry, physical properties, taxonomy and their applications to agricultural management and environmental enhancement. Relationships of soils to the world food supply and population. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (007776)

Factors Affecting Crop Health: 12-14 units

3-4 courses selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
BIOL 422 General Entomology   4.0 SP  
Prerequisite: BIOL 161 or faculty permission. Recommended: BIOL 163.
The morphology, ecology, and physiology of insects. Economic entomology and medical entomology, and taxonomy. 2 hours discussion, 6 hours laboratory. (001210)
BIOL 446 Plant Pathology   4.0 FA  
Prerequisite: BIOL 163 or PSSC 101 or faculty permission.
Study of plant pathology encompassing parasitism and disease in plants, pathogen attack strategies, diseased plant physiology, plant defense mechanisms, environmental effects on disease and descriptions of diseases and treatments. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001194)
PSSC 340 Economic Entomology   4.0 FA  
A survey of the structure and function of insects, leading to a fundamental understanding of applied insect ecology and taxonomy. Particular emphasis is placed on arthropod species of economic importance to humans. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (007797)
PSSC 343 Introduction to Weed Science   3.0 SP  
Prerequisites: AGRI 331.
Identification, modes of spread, and population ecology of weeds and other invasive plant species. Biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical control of weeds and invasive species. Methods of crop/vegetation management to control and reduce weed populations. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (007801)
PSSC 453 Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: PSSC 250 or faculty permission.
Properties of soils, fertilizers, and plant materials. Soil amendments and soil reaction effects on plants. Fertilizer usage. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (007840)

Pest Management Systems and Methods: 9 units

3 courses selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
AGRI 432 Holistic Management Green Leaf Representing that this course is Sustainable 3.0 SP  
Prerequisites: AGRI 331 or faculty permission.
A study of sustainable management practices in the context of agricultural land stewardship. The development of practical skills and understanding paramount to leadership and management of personal and professional activities. The focus is on identifying available resources, clarifiying goals, developing action plans, and promoting communication, savvy monitoring, and decision making that expedite progress toward a thriving enterprise and contribute to a sustainable community. Case studies, community activities, and discussion explore the impact of management decisions on progress toward desired goals. 3 hours lecture. (000225)
PSSC 353 Plant Protection Materials, Methods, and Regulations Green Leaf Representing that this course is Sustainable 3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: CHEM 107 or CHEM 111; PSSC 250.
An examination of materials and application methods used for protecting the health of plants in a manner that is safe for the environment, applicator, and consumer. Comprises the laws and regulations, safety, application, properties, mode of action, toxicology, and environmental impacts of pesticides, fertilizers, and other rmaterials used in agriculture. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (007806)
PSSC 356 Soil Quality and Health Green Leaf Representing that this course is Sustainable 3.0 SP  
Prerequisites: PSSC 250 or instructor permission.
Course examines the capacity of the soil to function within natural and managed ecosystems to sustain plant/animal productivity, maintain or enhance water and air quality, and support human health and habitation. Soil quality factors include biological, physical, and chemical soil properties. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity. (007808)
PSSC 441 Principles of Integrated Pest Management Green Leaf Representing that this course is Sustainable 3.0 SP  
Prerequisites: AGRI 331; BIOL 446, PSSC 340, or PSSC 343.
An introduction to the principles and mechanisms of integrated management of insect pests, plant pathogens, and weeds, dealing with such areas as the agro-ecosystem, population dynamics, and specific approaches to pest management. 3 hours lecture. (007834)

Production Systems: 12 units

12 units selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
AGET 360 Irrigation Green Leaf Representing that this course is Sustainable 3.0 SP  
Prerequisites: PSSC 101 or PSSC 250 or faculty permission.
Design, management, and evaluation of landscape and agricultural irrigation systems for efficient water use. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (000170)
PSSC 274 Greenhouse Management   3.0 FA  
Greenhouse construction, environment, and management practices, including heating and cooling, irrigation, fertilization, and pest control. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (007818)
PSSC 309A Directed Work in Field and Row Crops   2.0 FS  
Prerequisite: AGET 150 or faculty permission.
Directed work and discussion on all aspects of field and row crop production practices applicable to northern California. 1 hour discussion, 2 hours activity. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 4.0 units. (007773)
PSSC 309B Directed Work in Vegetable Crops   2.0 FS  
Directed work and discussion on all aspects of vegetable crop production practices applicable to northern California. 1 hour discussion, 2 hours activity. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 4.0 units. (007788)
PSSC 330 Rangeland Resources and Management   3.0 FA  
A survey of North American rangeland resources and the principles of their use and management, including basic plant-animal-soil relationships and multiple uses. 3 hours lecture. (007775)
PSSC 361 Production of Annual Crops   3.0 FA  
Prerequisite: PSSC 101.
This course covers the requirements and cultural practices needed for maximizing yields of annual field crops. Principles affecting growth development and management will be covered. For field experience, students are advised to enroll in PSSC 309A/PSSC 309B. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (007810)
PSSC 366 Fruit and Nut Production   3.0 SP  
Prerequisites: AGRI 333, PSSC 101.
Managing and optimizing the fruit and nut production system. Selection of planting sites and varieties, tree training and pruning, pollination, thinning, irrigation, mineral nutrition, and pest management are included. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (007820)
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