NEM 6201 - NEMATODE ECOLOGY
M/W/F, Period 6 (12:50-1:40pm)
Room 2217, Bldg. 970, Natural Area Drive
Updated 12/09

Instructor and Office Hours:
Dr. Robert McSorley
Room 2214, Entomology-Nematology Bldg.
Bldg. 970, Natural Area Drive
P.O. Box 110620
TEL:  352-392-1901 X137
FAX:  352-392-0190
Email:  mcsorley@ufl.edu

Office hours:  Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10:30-11:30 AM and 1:40-2:40 PM

Course Description:  Population and community ecology of plant-parasitic and other soil-inhabiting nematodes.

Objectives and Goals:  To learn ecological principles applicable to most ecosystems; to understand the roles of nematodes in ecosystems; to examine examples relevant to current issues in nematode ecology.

Topics to be Covered -- Tentative Syllabus for 2009:

• Week 01 -- August 24 -- Introduction, nematode food habits and life cycles; statistics, heat units.
• Week 02 -- August 31 -- Nematode extraction from soil and roots, extraction efficiency; carbon cycle.
• Week 03 -- September 07 -- Labor Day holiday (Monday); vertical and horizontal spatial distribution; sampling.
• Week 04 -- September 14 -- Soil type, soil properties; anabiosis.
• Week 05 -- September 21 -- Population dynamics, exponential growth, logistic growth.
• Week 06 -- September 28 -- Resistance and tolerance; antagonistic plants.
• Week 07 -- October 05 -- Thresholds and integrated pest management.
• Week 08 -- October 12 -- Midterm test; nitrogen cycle; decomposition and nutrient cycling.
• Week 09 -- October 19 -- Soil food webs, nematodes and other soil organisms.
• Week 10 -- October 26 -- Energy, biomass, respiration, production.
• Week 11 -- November 02 -- Biological control, natural enemies of nematodes; nematode- disease interactions.
• Week 12 -- November 09 -- Veteran’s Day holiday (Wednesday); biodiversity, nematode community structure; bioindicators, maturity index.
• Week 13 -- November 16 -- Mulches and organic amendments; solarization.
• Week 14 -- November 23 -- Cropping systems, cover crops, crop rotation; Thanksgiving holiday (Friday).
• Week 15 -- November 30 -- Conservation tillage; environmental fate of nematicides.
• Week 16 -- December 07 -- Sustainability and nematode management; Second test.

Prerequisites:  None

Optional Textbook:  Barker, K.R., G.A. Pederson, and G.L. Windham. 1998. Plant and Nematode Interactions. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI.

Assignments and Methods by which the Student will be Evaluated and Grades Determined:   Course includes literature readings and discussion of topics including statistics, crop losses to nematodes, sampling plans, organic amendments and their effects, plant breeding and resistance, cropping systems, nematode and pathogen interactions, biological control of nematodes by fungi, bacterivore nematodes and decomposition, biomonitoring, sustainability and integrated pest management. Students are expected to stay current in their readings and be able to participate in discussions.

Grading:
Midterm test = 33.3%
Final test = 33.3%
Class participation = 33.3%

Grading Scale:
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
E = <60%

Additional General Information:  The following information applies to all courses at the University of Florida.

We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standard of honesty and integrity.

Academic Honesty:  As a result of completing the registration form at the University of Florida, every student has signed the following statement: "I understand that the University of Florida expects its students to be honest in all their academic work. I agree to adhere to this commitment to academic honesty and understand that my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the University."

Copyrighted Materials and Software Use:  All students are required and expected to obey the laws and legal agreements governing copyrighted material and software use. Failure to do so can lead to monetary damages and/or criminal penalties for the individual violator. Because such violations are also against University policies and rules, disciplinary action will be taken as appropriate.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:  Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accommodation.

University Counseling Services:  Resources are available on-campus for students having personal problems or lacking clear career and academic goals which interfere with their academic performance. These resources include:

1. University Counseling Center, 301 Peabody Hall, 392-1575, personal and career counseling;
2. Student Mental Health, Student Health Care Center, 392-1171, personal counseling;
3. Sexual Assault Recovery Services (SARS), Student Health Care Center, 392-1161, sexual counseling; and
4. Career Resource Center, Reitz Union, 392-1601, career development assistance and counseling.

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