Course Descriptions

Elective(s) must be approved by your advisor.

See advisor for optional elective.

ENGLWRIT 111 An entry-level course in writing designed for freshmen who, through their performance on the Placement Exam, demonstrate the need for intensive work in writing. 

ENGLWRIT 112 An entry-level course in writing. Emphasis upon the writing process: prewriting, revising, editing. Minimum of six finished essays required. Prerequisite: satisfactory performance on the Placement Exam or in ENGLWRIT 111 Basic Writing.

All riding lessons have a riding fee $800 payable by money order only. Fee helps defray the cost of operations for the farm and equestrian training.

Open to Equine Management or Animal Science students only or permission of instructor.

HUNTER SEAT LEVEL I ~ Riders develop and strengthen their basic riding position and correct use of their seat, leg, and hand aids. Riders work in both their full seat and two-point position, developing their skills at the walk and trot before moving onto the canter. Foundational work without stirrups and over poles are also introduced.

• Section A: For those who have never ridden before, have very limited riding experience, or would like a refresher course.
• Section B: For riders who have the walk and trot established, are able to tell their diagonal, and can canter independently; ready to begin jumping principles.

HUNTER SEAT LEVEL II  ~ Riders strengthen their hunter seat equitation position and refine the use of their aids through more advanced work on the flat and over fences. Riders continue to develop a solid base of support while improving balance and rhythm over fences.  Jumping work without stirrups, simple and flying changes of lead, and more complex course work are introduced.

• Section A: For riders who can walk, trot and canter safely, know leads and diagonals, and have some experience over small jumps and lines up to 2’.
• Section B: For riders who have solid jumping fundamentals and are experienced with course work at least 2’6” up to 3’. Riders must also have experience riding different types of horses.

HUNTER SEAT LEVEL III ~ Riders further develop and refine their skills by riding green horses and schooling at a higher level of difficulty and sophistication. For riders with extensive experience and course work from at least 3’ and above; must be familiar with complicated courses and advanced flatwork. Riders must be comfortable with riding horses from any skill level.

* Students must pass riding exam before moving to a more advanced level.

STOCKSCH 155 Special Problems In Riding ~ Equitation by arrangement.

Introduction to materials used in landscape construction, their design potential and limitations. Design details and construction methods discussed.

The varied aspects of running a small landscape contracting business.

With lab. Drafting techniques necessary in landscape work, including lettering, line work, freehand sketching, scale drawings, plans, elevations, sections, profiles, composition, and rendering. Seven-week course.

The landscape media of plants, land forms, structures, and water. Graphic techniques, including modeling, drafting, and plan and cross-section drawings initiated. Examination of built landscape designs in the field and on paper. Landscape Contracting majors only.

Using models, students employ the landscape media of land, plants, structures, and water to create landscape space. Real situations with local clients designed. Techniques of interviewing, photographing, site analysis, and design explored. Prerequisite: LANDCONT 104.

This is a placeholder for math requirement (MATH 100/101/104).

Second semester of the two-semester sequence MATH 101-102. Detailed treatment of analytic geometry, including conic sections and exponential and logarithmic functions. Same trigonometry as in MATH 104. Prerequisite: MATH 101.

An overview course designed to provide students with information, opportunities, and skills to ease their transition into college and build a successful foundation necessary to reach their educational goals.

Principles of rigging, advanced rope techniques, and chainsaw applications for tree pruning and removal. Arboriculture and Community Forest Management majors only. Prerequisite: NRC 232 (may be taken concurrently).

Required of all students majoring in Arboriculture and Community Forest Management. Five month (April-August) internship for work experience in the field. Submission of reports and collections required.

Explores the unique values that forests have in our culture; key characteristics of forests in the Northeast and how and why they have changed through time; historical and contemporary leaders in forest conservation; sustainable forest management principles and practices; current forest use patterns and trends and the challenges and opportunities they present in the 21st century.

Fundamental ecology and principles of wildlife management. Emphasis on wildlife habitat and population characteristics and responses. Prerequisite: one semester of general biology or permission of instructor.

Management principles of municipal and utility tree care, land use problems, tree laws and ordinances. Prerequisite: NRC 232.

The ways in which water, light, and temperature influence plants, and the ways in which plants respond to changes in the environment. Emphasis on physical nature of these environmental factors. Seven-week course. Prerequisite: PLSOILIN 102.

With lab. Interrelationship of soils and higher plants. Physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils. Practical approach to current problems through basic soil principles. Prerequisite: some knowledge of chemistry.

Structure, function, and reproduction of plants; emphasis on the flowering plants.

Applied introduction to plant pathology in horticultural crops. Identification, description, and management of diseases in modern horticultural production. Chemical, biological, cultural, and genetic controls and their integration. Seven-week course. Prerequisite: PLSOILIN 102.

With lab. A field laboratory on the diagnosis and management of the health problems of woody plants. Students learn to recognize the major plant diseases of trees and shrubs using plant materials on campus. Disease management options presented on an individual basis in a clinical context. Prerequisite: STOCKSCH 111.

With lab. Integration of gross structural and organ anatomy to physiological systems, function, and regulation. Emphasis on relationship of structure to function and system control in both animals and humans.

Advanced training of horse and rider in various disciplines.

Equine Management majors only or Permission of Instructor.

Offered both semesters

An introduction to the theory, technique and practice of skills required as an equine care technician to prepare horses for daily work, competition, and formal turnout/presentation.  Wide range of horses, including foals, yearlings, two-year olds, broodmares, stallions, and equitation horses. Emphasis on sound business management practices, including record keeping, horse sales, personal safety, and professionalism.

Equine Management majors only or premission of instructor.

Topics include state and federal pesticide laws and regulations, pesticides and the environment, handling and storage of pesticides, classes and formulations of pesticides, safety and application equipment, understanding the pesticide label, toxicity, proper calculation and mixing of pesticides, and history of pesticide use. Includes preparation for the Massachusetts Pesticide Core Exam.

Independent work related to some area dealing with plant, soil or insect sciences. Prerequisites: permission of instructor and program coordinator.

Students are taught the basics of draft horse husbandry before moving on to teach them skills in working with horses in harness, both on the road and on the farm. $200 fee, payable by money order only. Fee helps defray the cost of operations for the farm and draft horse training.

Prerequisite: consent of instructor

Required of all students majoring in Horticulture. Five month (April-August) internship in the specific field of study. Submission of reports required.

Practical stable or related business experience in equine management. Minimum of eight-week internship as approved in advance by internship coordinator. Written reports required.

Introduction to the selection, operation, safety and maintenance of farm tractors and equipment. Lectures and hands-on experience with emphasis on farm machinery used to operate an equine facility.

Equine Management majors only or permission of instructor.

Potential of pasture to provide nutritional needs of livestock and the integration of well-managed pasture systems can contribute significantly to the sustainability of the farm. Major topics include a review of major forage species selection, grazing management, establishment of new pastures, and pasture renovation.

With lab. Basic principles of selecting and managing turfgrass for home lawns, parks, golf courses, and other turf areas. Topics include: climatic adaptation, grass identification, establishment practices, pest control, fertility, environmental stresses, etc. Prerequisites: STOCKSCH 102 and 105 (may be taken concurrently).

Principles of engines and machinery operation, maintenance, selection, and minor repair. Turf equipment emphasized. Instruction on how to train operators of equipment. Budgeting for equipment. Seven-week course; last half of the semester.

Theory and practice of pruning deciduous fruit plants/trees. Emphasis on practical, hands-on experience.

Calculations involving area and volume measurements, fertilizer and pesticide requirements, cost analysis, seed calculations, irrigation calculations, and calculations relating to spreader and sprayer calibrations. Prerequisite: STOCKSCH 230 with minimum grade of "C".

The history and development of the breeds and their present day type, conformation, and use. Emphasis on the importance of anatomy and conformation and the relationship of form to function. A systematic approach to selection.

Prerequisites: STOCKSCH 121

Study and identification of herbaceous plants; their uses as ornamental plants for home, park, and business.

With lab. Exploration of ethical, practical and scientific aspects of agricultural sustainability, including economic, social and environmental impacts of food and farming. Uses systems thinking tools to compare industrial and ecological agriculture.

With lab. Introduction to the growth, culture, and science related to the production and use of herbs, spices, and medicinal plants. Emphasis on plants used in the home; discussion of bioactivity of plant extracts. Practice in seeding, growing, oil extraction, and utilization of these plants.

Contact department for description. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

Continuation of STOCKSCH 252. Capstone experience will focus on improvements and efficiency of the operation, weekly evaluation of strengths and weaknesses, client feedback, and marketing of the business. End of the semester student presentations include a business plan, financial statement and recommendations.

Prerequisite: STOCKSCH 252. Equine Management majors only.

With lab. History of weed control; importance of weeds and their relationship to people and the environment; ecology of weeds, competition, persistence and survival mechanisms; reproduction, seed germination, and dormancy; methods of weed control, cultural, biological, chemical, and integrated pest management strategies; classification of herbicides and their selectivity; soil factors affecting herbicide performance, persistence and degradation; application equipment and calibration of sprayers; weed management systems for various crops and non-crop areas. Prerequisite: STOCKSCH 108 or 100-level biology course.

With lab. Greenhouse culture of seasonal crops, stressing modern concepts of production and management. Prerequisites: STOCKSCH 108 and 315.

With lab. Greenhouse culture of spring greenhouse crops. Prerequisites: STOCKSCH 315 and  STOCKSCH321.

Preparation for riding instructor certification. Knowledge and skills applicable to instructing a group of riders, including theory and practice.

Prerequisite: two semesters of Equitation Lessons

With lab. Understanding the movement of food from the grower to the consumer. Emphasis on how consumers get access to food from emergency and non-emergency sources. Direct marketing, community-supported agriculture, farmers' markets, and small-scale farming discussed. Outside speakers from area community food banks, CSAs, non-profit organizations, faith communities, soup kitchens, and farmers' markets lead discussions on various topics related to food access. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

Practicum focusing on greenhouse venting and temperature control, maintaining outdoor gardens, harvesting of floricultural crops, post-harvest handling of floricultural crops, fertilization, propagation (by seed, cuttings, division), greenhouse maintenance, operation of greenhouse equipment (fertilizer injector). Prerequisite: permission of instructor.