NEM 6942 -- NEMATODE DIAGNOSTICS
Places & times to be determined
Room 2217, Bldg. 970, Natural Area Drive

Instructors and Office Hours:
Dr. William Crow
Room 2208, Entomology-Nematology Bldg.
Bldg. 970, Natural Area Drive
P.O. Box 110620
TEL 352-392-1901 X138
FAX 352-392-0190
wtcr@ufl.edu

Frank E. Woods
Nematode Assay Lab (Building 78)
PO Box 110820 Mowry Rd.
Gainesville, FL 32611
352-392-1994
few@ifas.edu

Course Description: This is a lab intensive course designed to equip the student with skills necessary to properly diagnose nematode problems on plants and make practical management recommendations. These skills include; 1) recognition of common symptoms, 2) competence in extraction, handling, and identifying of important groups of plant-parasitic nematodes, 3) knowledge of the major nematode pathogens and pests of key crops, and 4) knowledge of practical nematode management strategies. There are 3 hours of lab and 1 hour of lecture each week. This class is offered every Spring and Fall semester and is limited to 8 students at a time.

Topics to be Covered

Prerequisites: Plant Nematology (NEM 5705).

Textbook: Illustrated key for the identification of common nematodes in Florida by Grover C. Smart and Khuong B. Nguyen. Copies are available from University Copy Center. Other reading assignments will be assigned for class discussion, these will be provided 1 week prior to the class by Dr. Crow.

Grading Scale:
This course is a graded course. There will be a total of 100 points possible. Of these, the diagnostic challenges and questions are worth 50 points, and the final exam is worth 50 points. Your graded assignments will be returned to you no later than 14 days after they are turned in.
Diagnostic challenges involve collecting a nematode sample from a given plant or plants, and correctly identifying the nematode problem involved. A short (1 page or less) but thorough description of what you think the problem is, and how you arrived at that decision will be turned in 1 week after the challenge.
Diagnostic/Management questions will be given to you by Dr. Crow. These will be real-life questions that come to him from different sources. You will give a short (1 page or less) but thorough response to the question posed.
The final exam is a lab practical. You may be asked to conduct a diagnosis, find certain nematodes, and key out an unknown nematode.

Internet policy:
Email access is required for this class. All assignments must be submitted as email attachments in Word or WordPerfect. I will not accept hard copies. Your graded assignments will be returned to you in the same format. I have your gatorlink addresses. If you use an address different from your gatorlink as your primary email you need to provide it to me. It is your job to check your email regularly!

Class Demeanor :
Please be considerate of your classmates by not chatting during lecture. Please show up on time, and do not leave class early. Turn off cell phones and beepers before coming into the classroom. UF rules prohibit your having food or drinks in classrooms. Use of tobacco products (in any form) in the classroom is prohibited.

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.
Today is: | Email: webmaster | Dept. Home Page| Course Syllabi
University of Florida Home Page