284 Russell Labs, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706; 608/262-1410; www.plantpath.wisc.edu
Professors Andrews, Ahlquist, Allen, Bent, Clayton (chair), German, Grau, Handelsman, Keller, Leong, MacGuidwin, McManus, Rouse, Stanosz, Stevenson; Associate Professor Willis; Assistant Professors Charkowski, Halterman
Plant pathology is a challenging discipline that examines the interactions among plants, pathogens, and the biotic and abiotic environmental conditions that influence the development of plant disease. Plant pathogens include viruses, bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and parasitic plants. In addition, some plant disease is attributable to abiotic factors such as nutrient deficiency and air pollution. Plant pathologists use all of the tools of modern biology to understand plant disease at all levels of biological organization from molecular to organismal to ecological. Plant pathologists use this knowledge to develop effective and safe disease management strategies to protect food and fiber crops, forests, ornamental plants, the environment, and human health.
Well-equipped research and teaching laboratories, controlled environment facilities, greenhouse space, field plots, a departmental library, and computer facilities are available to students majoring in plant pathology. The Department of Plant Pathology has active research programs on the cause, spread, and management of plant disease, including basic studies in molecular biology, disease physiology, virology, bacterial pathogens, nematology, pathogen variability, tissue culture, soil microbiology, microbial ecology, epidemiology, genetics of plant disease resistance, and disease management. Undergraduates are encouraged to become involved in the research activities of the department.
Undergraduates can major in plant pathology under three degree programs: Natural Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, and International Agriculture and Natural Resources. Students completing a plant pathology major under the Natural Sciences program earn a Bachelor of Science-Natural Sciences degree. The Natural Sciences program primarily emphasizes basic biology, chemistry, and physical sciences requisite for graduate study in plant pathology and related disciplines. Students completing the major under the Agricultural Sciences program earn a Bachelor of Science-Agricultural Sciences degree. The Agricultural Sciences degree program stresses courses related to plant health, such as entomology, plant pathology, plant nutrition, soil science, and weed control. Students completing the major under International Agriculture and Natural Resources program earn a Bachelor of Science-International Agriculture and Natural Resources degree. The International Agriculture and Natural Resources program emphasizes international application of plant pathology. In all curricula, students obtain additional training in related subject areas, such as bacteriology, biochemistry, genetics, mycology, and plant physiology.
Plant pathologists pursue careers in research, teaching, extension, agricultural product development and sales, regulatory occupations, and private practice. More information about careers in plant pathology is available from the department.
For those interested in graduate studies, the Department of Plant Pathology offers a broad program leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, which is described in the Graduate School Catalog. Contact the department for more information.
123 Plants, Parasites, and People. (Crosslisted with Botany) I, II; 3 cr (B-E). The course will explore the interaction between society and plant-associated microbes. Topics include: the Irish potato famine, pesticides in current agriculture, role of economics and consumer preference in crop disease management and the release of genetically engineered organisms. P: Open to Fr.
289 Honors Independent Study. I, II, SS; 1-2 cr (I). P: Enrolled in the Cals Honors Prgm & So or Jr st. Inter-Ag 288.
299 Independent Study. I, II, SS; 1-3 cr (I). P: Open to Fr, So or Jr st & written cons inst.
300 Introduction to Plant Pathology. I; 4 cr (B-I). Economic importance, symptoms, causes, and methods of control of representative plant diseases. P: Intro course in bot.
309 Diseases of Landscape Trees and Shrubs. (Crosslisted with Forest, Hort, Land Arc) I; 3 cr (B-I). Fundamental disease concepts, pathogens and causal agents, diagnosis, and biologically rational strategies and practices for management of diseases of woody landscape plants. For professionals and degree students. One lecture/discussion and one lab/field trip per week. P: One semester of plant sci or cons inst.
323 Soil Biology. (Crosslisted with Soil Sci) I; 2 cr (B-I). Nature, activities and role of organisms inhabiting soil. Effects of soil biota on ecosystem function, response to cultural practices, and impacts on environmental quality, including bioremediation of contaminated soils. P: Chem 104 and Botany 130 or equiv.
332 Fungi. (Crosslisted with Botany) II; 4 cr (B-I). Growth, development, variability and dispersal of saprophytic, parasitic, and symbiotic fungi, with a consideration of their ecological and economic significance. P: A 5 cr intro crse in botany.
368 Environmental Law, Toxic Substances, and Conservation. (Crosslisted with M&Envtox, Envir St) Odd yrs.; II; 2 cr (S-I). Development of and need for "environmental law"; an introduction to the legal system; public and private rights in the environment; regulation of pesticides and toxic substances; environmental legislation and rulemaking; environmental impact statements; professionals as expert witnesses. No prior knowledge of law assumed. For scientists and others dealing with environmental issues in academia, industry and government. P: So st.
375 Special Topics. I, II, SS; 1-4 cr (B-I). Subjects of current interest to undergrads. P: Cons inst.
399 Coordinative Internship/Cooperative Education. I, II, SS; 1-8 cr (A). P: So, Jr or Sr st and cons supervising inst, advisor, and internship program coordinator.
500 Insects and Diseases in Forest Resource Management. (Crosslisted with Entom, Forest) I; Odd yrs.; 4 cr (B-I). Nature and significance of representative insects and diseases of natural and planted forests with emphasis on their control through manipulation of basic ecological and biological factors. P: Botany 151 & 152 or equiv.
505 Plant-Microbe Interactions: Molecular and Ecological Aspects. (Crosslisted with Botany, Entom) II; 3 cr (B-D). Molecular and ecological aspects of the interactions between plants and microorganisms. This course explores many of the themes, from genetic to integrative, of modern biology, and illustrates how study of plant-microbe interactions contributes to understanding of fundamental plant science. P: An upper level crse in microbiol (e.g. Bact 303); biochem (e.g. Biochem 501); & genetics (e.g. Genetics 466) or cons inst.
517 Plant Disease Resistance. Odd yrs.; II; 2-3 cr (B-I). Role of host resistance in plant disease control, and lab techniques used for evaluating host resistance and incorporating resistance factors into new crop varieties. P: Pl Path 300 & genetics or plant breeding crse, or cons inst.
525 Comparative Ecology of Microorganisms and Macroorganisms. (Crosslisted with Microbio) Even yrs.; II; 3 cr (B-I). Principles of ecology with emphasis on contrasts and similarities between microorganisms and macroorganisms. Topics include the ecology of individuality, genetic variation, resource acquisition and allocation, size, growth and growth form, the environment, and community processes. P: Bact 303 & 304.
559 Diseases of Economic Plants. Odd yrs.; SS; 3 cr (I). Symptoms, epidemiology and control of diseases of crop plants; emphasis on disease diagnosis. Plant disease clinic, field trips, lectures and lab. P: Plant Path 300 & 332.
602 Ecology, Epidemiology and Control of Plant Diseases. Alt yrs.; I; 3 cr. Environmental factors in the development and spread of diseases, pathogen variability, genetics of disease resistance, and principles of disease control. P: Knowledge equiv to that obtained in Pl Path 300, Botany 332, Stat 571, Math 212, & Pl Path 616 or cons inst.
606 Colloquium in Environmental Toxicology. (Crosslisted with Entom, Soil Sci, Ahabs, Wl Ecol, M&Envtox) I, II; 1 cr (B-I). Lectures by resident and visiting professors on toxicology and problems related to biologically active substances in the environment.
616 Plant Nematology. Even yrs.; II; 1-3 cr (B-I). Isolation, identification, and behavior of plant parasitic nematodes, and research methods for their study in laboratory, greenhouse and field. P: Plant Path 300 or cons inst.
620 Plant Pathogenic Fungi. (Crosslisted with Botany) Even yrs.; II; 3 cr (B-D). Review of taxonomic systems used for the identification of major groups of plant pathogenic fungi. Cytology and morphology of plant pathogenic fungi and histopathology of host-pathogen relations. P: Pl Path 300 & 332.
622 Plant-Bacterial Interactions. (Crosslisted with Microbio) Even yrs.; I; 2-3 cr (B-A). Physiology, genetics, taxonomy, and ecology of bacterial pathogens, epiphytes, and symbionts of plants. P: A course in advanced bacteriology; Genetics 466 or equiv; Biochem 501 or equiv; or cons inst.
640 General Virology-Multiplication of Viruses. (Crosslisted with Microbio, Oncology) I; 3 cr (B-D). Bacterial and animal viruses, their structure, multiplication, and genetics. P: Intro crses in bact, biochem & genetics.
655 Biology and Genetics of Filamentous Fungi. (Crosslisted with Microbio, Botany, Genetics, MM&I) Odd yrs.; II; 3-4 cr (A). Fungal genetics, genomics, and physiology using plant pathogenic fungi and the genetic models Aspergillus nidulans and Neurospora crassa as model systems to explore the current knowledge of fungal genetics and plant/fungal interactions. P: Cons inst; Pl Path 300 & 332 recommended; Genetics 466 or equiv; general microbiol crse.
681 Senior Honors Thesis. I, II, SS; 2-4 cr (A). P: Honors candidacy.
682 Senior Honors Thesis. I, II, SS; 2-4 cr. Continuation of 681. P: Honors program candidacy & Pl Path 681.
699 Special Problems. I, II, SS; 1-5 cr (A). P: Sr st & cons inst.