HORT 110 Horticultural Pest Management
(Contact Hours: 5) This course introduces students to the basic principles of pest biology, diagnostics, and management; primarily insects and plant pathogens. Students will also learn about pest invasion/outbreak biology, prediction, and mitigation. Students will develop diagnostic skills for identifying plant, vertebrate, and invertebrate pests. They will use their diagnostic skills to inform effective pest management using the six steps of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Within and IPM framework, they will learn to effectively and safely use conventional, organic, and biocontrol pest management applications. Students will complete a collection of pinned insect specimens and preserved insect sign (e.g., feeding damage) specimens. Students will have the opportunity to take the Michigan Certified Pesticide Applicator Certification exam at the end of the course. Minimum benchmarks will be enforced.