PLSC (Plant Science)

PLSC 50—PREPARATORY PLANT SCIENCE 3 Units

Preparation in plant science including structure, growth processes, propagation, physiology, growth media, biological competitors, and post-harvest factors of food, fiber, and ornamental plants.

• Field trips required.
• Lecture.
• General Education: (MJC-GE:A)

PLSC 200—INTRODUCTION TO PLANT SCIENCE 3 Units

Introduction to plant science, including structure, growth processes, propagation, physiology, growth media, biological competitors, and post-harvest factors of food, fiber, and ornamental plants.

• Field trips required.
• Lecture.
• Transfer: CSU, UC (CAN AG 8, CSU, UC, A-F Only)
• General Education: (MJC-GE: A) (CSU-GE: B2)

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PLSC 205—FIELD CROPS 3 Units

Economic importance, adaptation, cultural practices, irrigation, integrated pest management, cost analysis, calendar of operations, and marketing in the production of field crops (including: barley, oats, wheat, corn, grain sorghum, alfalfa, rice, dry beans, sugar beets, cotton, and seed crops).

• Field trips required.
• Lecture/Laboratory.
• (A-F Only)
• Transfer: CSU (A-F Only)

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PLSC 215—VEGETABLE CROPS 3 Units

Vegetable crops common to the area; economic importance, cultural sequence, fertilization, irrigation, cultivation, integrated pest control, harvest and related factors; marketing, cost analysis, risks; environmental relationships including moisture, temperature, soil and weather in the production of vegetable crops.

• Field trips required.
• Lecture/Laboratory.
• (A-F Only)
• Transfer: CSU, UC

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PLSC 230—FRUIT SCIENCE 3 Units

Elementary botany of fruit and nut crops including growth and fruiting habits, varieties, characteristics and adaptations; environmental factors influencing local fruit production; pruning and training procedures on local fruit crops.

• Field trips required.
• Lecture/ Laboratory.
• (A-F Only)
• Transfer: CSU, UC
• General Education: (MJC-GE:A)

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PLSC 235— PLANT PROPAGATION/PRODUCTION 3 Units

Also offered as EHS 235.

Plant propagation and production practices with emphasis on nursery operations including sexual and asexual reproduction, planting, transplanting, fertilizing, plant pest and disease control, structures and site layout. Preparation and use of propagating and planting mediums. Use and maintenance of common tools and equipment. Regulations pertaining to plant production.

• Field trips required.
• Lecture/Laboratory.
• Not offered every semester.
• (A-F Only)
• Transfer: CSU

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PLSC 241—VITICULTURE 3 Units

Recommended for Success: NR 200 and PLSC 200. California grape production; study of table and wine grape varieties, uses, adoptions and products, production practices, propagation and planting; training, pruning and irrigation systems; recognition and control of grape pests and diseases. Student is required to design a new vineyard and critique an existing operation.

• Field trips required.
• Lecture/Laboratory.
• (A-F Only)
• (Fall) Transfer: CSU

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PLSC 244—WINE GRAPE VINEYARD DEVELOPMENT 1 Unit

Wine grape vineyard development including site evaluation through vineyard design, development planning and scheduling, installation, and management.

• Field trips may be required.
• Three maximum completions.
• Lecture.
• Transfer: CSU

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PLSC 248—ORCHARD MANAGEMENT 3 Units

Evaluation of local fruit production factors including soils, climate, irrigation, fertilization, and harvesting; fruit ranch organization emphasizing investment, labor, production cost and sales. Student is required to outline calendar of orchard operations.

• Field trips required.
• Lecture/Laboratory.
• (A-F Only)
• Transfer: CSU

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PLSC 250—PLANT NUTRITION AND FERTILIZERS 3 Units

Recommended for Success: NR 200

An overview of plant nutrition principles in order to understand fertilizers, their uses, value, application, and relationship to soils and to crops grown in this area. Deficiency symptoms, pH, soil and plant tissue testing, and environmental factors and concerns.

• Field trips required.
• Lecture/Laboratory.
• Transfer: CSU
• (A-F Only)

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PLSC 255—PLANT PEST CONTROL 3 Units

Study of crop mites and insects, their morphology, identification, life cycles, host and habitat relationships, methods and materials of control.

• Lecture/Laboratory.
• (A-F Only)
• Transfer: CSU

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PLSC 260—PLANT DISEASE CONTROL 3 Units

Study of common local crop diseases, their economic importance, identification, life cycles, host and habitat relationships, and methods of control.

• Field trips required.
• Lecture/Laboratory.
• (A-F Only)
• Transfer: CSU

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PLSC 374—BEEKEEPING 2 Units

Principles of beekeeping designed for both commercial and small operation beekeepers. Includes all basic operations necessary for successful beekeeping.

• Field trips may be required.
• Lecture/Laboratory.
• (A-F Only)

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PLSC 380—WEED CONTROL 2 Units

Recommended for Success: PLSC 200 Identification, life cycle, and control of common, noxious, and poisonous California weeds. Fundamentals of preventive, cultural, biological, physical, and chemical control methods.

• Field trips may be required.
• Lecture/Laboratory.
• (A-F Only)

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PLSC 383—PESTICIDE APPLICATION 1 1⁄2 Units

Designed to train students as pest control applicators and assist in passing state certification and licensing exams. Emphasis on the correct and safe method of using pesticides.

• Field trips required.
• Two maximum completions.
• Lecture.
• (A-F Only)

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PLSC 385—PRUNING 1 Unit

Pruning of deciduous fruits, nuts and vines. Care and maintenance of tools and equipment. Proper irrigation, fertilization, and insect control also included.

• Field trips required.
• Lecture/ Laboratory.
• Saturday labs.
• (A-F Only)

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PLSC 386—BUDDING AND GRAFTING 1 Unit

Proper budding and grafting procedures for local fruit and nut crops. Use of correct tools is included.

• Field trips required.
• Lecture/Laboratory.
• Saturday labs.
• (A-F Only)

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PLSC 387—SEMINAR IN INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT 1 Unit

Current topics and discussion on integrated pest management, designed to satisfy Department of Pesticide Regulation requirements for certified pesticide applicator’s continuing education.

• Field trips may be required.
• Four maximum completions.
• Lecture.
• (A-F Only)

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PLSC 388— SEMINAR IN INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT 2 1 Unit

Current topics and discussion on integrated pest management, designed to satisfy Department of Pesticide Regulation requirements for certified pesticide applicator’s continuing education. Students who complete the maximum completions of PLSC 387 should enroll in this course.

• Lecture.
• Field trips may be required.
• Four maximum completions.
• (A-F Only)

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