I. General
Lecture: MWF 10:00 – 10:50
Instructor: Bob Hartzler
2104 Agronomy Hall
294-1164
hartzler@iastate.edu
Office hours: MWF 7:00 – 9:45 AM, by appointment or chance
II. Course objectives:
1) Understand the biological and ecological factors affecting the distribution,
abundance, persistence and economic importance of weed species and populations.
2) Understand the benefits and risks of the four primary weed control methods:
cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical.
3) Understand herbicide classification, fate of herbicides in plants and the
environment, herbicide mode of action, and herbicide application technologies.
4) Become familiar with the principles of managing weeds in agronomic and horticultural systems.
III. Course text and materials
Since most weed science textbooks focus either on weed biology/ecology or herbicides, we will not use a book for the course. Instead, several resources on the internet will be utilized, especially when discussing herbicides. Lecture outlines and links to articles will be posted on this website.
IV. Course grading
Task |
Points |
|---|---|
Three midterm exams* |
250 |
Final exam |
100 |
Weed collection |
50 |
TOTAL |
400 |
*The lowest score of the three midterm exams will have a potential of 50 pts, the other exams will have a potential of 100 pts.
Course grades will be based on total points with the following scale: ≥90% = A; 89-80% = B; 79-70 = C; 69-60 = D; <60 = F. The +/- system is used
V. Class Schedule (Exam dates may be changed)
| Date | Topic |
|---|---|
August 22 - September 19 |
Weed biology and ecology |
September 21 |
First exam |
September 23 - October 12 |
Non-chemical control strategies |
October 14 |
Second exam |
October 17 - November 9 |
Herbicides |
November 11 |
Third exam |
November 14 - December 9 |
Herbicides/Weed management |
Monday, December 12 |
Final exam (9:45 AM) |
VI. Class assignments
1. Weed collection Five weed species, pressed and mounted; species must fit the general definition of a weed (i.e. don’t go to Reiman Gardens and grab five specimens from their flower beds). Required information: Common and botanical name, family, life cycle, habitat. Samples must be in good condition and contain sufficient material for instructor to easily identify. Grading: 10 pts/weed. . Due date: Sept. 30.
2. Exams Exams will be a combination of multiple choice, T/F, and short answer. Material from both lectures and assigned readings will be included. The final exam will be comprehensive, with 75% of points covering new material and 25% old. Old exams are available on the website.
DISABILITY POLICY : Iowa State University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Any student who requires an accommodation should contact the course instructors early in the semester so that his/her learning needs may be met appropriately. Documentation of disability should to be provided to the Disability Resources office, 1076 Student Services Building, 515-294-6624, http://www.dso.iastate.edu/dr/ . The Disability Resources office can assist students in writing Student Academic Accommodation Requests (SAAR) and in arranging appropriate accommodations.