Turfgrass Management

The MSU Turfgrass Management Program is globally recognized for producing leaders in sports turf and golf course management. Research conducted by faculty and students is applied to develop and maintain top-quality playing surfaces for the world's biggest sporting events.

The Turfgrass program is rich in history, tradition, and accolades. For over 7 decades, the program provides a world-class education and a network of support. Research programs encompass: golf courses, athletic fields and home lawns, in aspects such as, construction, establishment and management.

Graduates are working at golf courses and stadiums around the world. From the PGA Tour to Major League Baseball to European Football, MSU graduates are perfecting natural grass management for some of the world’s greatest athletes.

The Turfgrass program emphasizes hands-on learning and internships to build a network and skills that translates to graduates earning jobs in their field of choice upon graduation. Students learn the science behind growing, maintaining and managing world class playing surfaces for golf courses and other major sporting events.
 
Turfgrass Management involves the application of biological, chemical, and physical science principles to establish and care for turfgrass varieties that are used to provide biological, structural, functional, and aesthetic benefits. This major provides students the opportunity to understand the challenges and opportunities to integrate scientific innovations with the science and art of turfgrass management. 

The Bachelor of Science degree in Turfgrass Management is designed to prepare students for career opportunities as golf course superintendents, sports turf managers, lawn care professionals, grounds managers for private and public businesses, green industry salespersons and managers, and positions within governmental and institutional entities.

Academic Programs - Turfgrass Management

Turfgrass Student

 

University and College Requirements (41 credits)

  • Writing, Rhetoric and American Cultures (WRA) - 4 credits
    • WRA 110-150
  • Integrative Studies in Arts and Humanities (IAH) - 8 credits
    • IAH 201-210
    • IAH 211-241
  • Integrative Studies in Social and Behavioral Sciences (ISS) - 8 credits
    • ISS 200-level
    • ISS 300-level
  • PLB 105 Plant Biology - 3 credits
  • PLB 106 Plant Biology Laboratory - 1 credit
  • CEM 141 General Chemistry - 4 credits
  • CEM 143 Survey of Organic Chemistry - 4 credits
  • CEM 161 Chemistry Laboratory I - 1 credit
  • MTH 116 College Algebra and Trigonometry - 5 credits
  • EC 201 Introduction to Microeconomics - 3 credits

Departmental Requirements (49 credits)

  • CSS 110 Computer Applications in Agronomy - 2 credits
  • CSS 178 Golf Turf Irrigation - 2 credits
  • CSS 181 Pesticide & Fertilizer App Tec - 3 credits
  • CSS 210 Fundamentals of Soil and Landscape Science - 3 credits
  • CSS 232 Introduction to Turfgrass Management - 4 credits
  • CSS 262 Turfgrass Management Seminar - 1 credit
  • CSS 267 Performance Turf Design and Construction - 2 credits
  • CSS 269 Turfgrass Strategies: Integration and Synthesis - 2 credits
  • CSS 272 Turfgrass Soil Fertility - 2 credits
  • CSS 282 Turfgrass Physiology - 2 credits
  • CSS 288 Principles of Weed Management – 3 credits
  • CSS 292 Management of Turfgrass Weeds - 3 credits
  • CSS 313 Data Interpretation and Writing in the Agronomic Sciences - 2 credits
  • CSS 330 Soil Chemistry - 2 credits
  • CSS 340 Applied Soil Physics - 2 credits
  • CSS 350 Plant Genetics - 3 credits
  • CSS 360 Soil Biology - 3 credits
  • CSS 470 Soil Resources - 3 credits
  • CSS 492 Professional Development Seminar II - 1 credit
  • CSS 493 Professional Internship - 3 credits
  • ENT 364 Turfgrass Entomology - 3 credits
  • PLP 266 Turfgrass Pathology - 3 credits

One of the following courses (3 credits):

  • HRT 361 Applied Plant Physiology - 3 credits
  • PLB 301 Introductory Plant Physiology - 3 credits

Electives (27 credits)

 

 

Academic Advising

For questions regarding course requirements, substituting or waiving required courses, independent study courses, and planning your semester schedule of courses, contact a Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences academic advisor:

Susan Gruber, (517) 353-0326, grubers@msu.edu

Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences
Plant and Soil Sciences Building
1066 Bogue St, Room A164
East Lansing, MI 48824

More information on the internship requirement.

 

 Last Updated:  2/3/2023  by LAD