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The Turfgrass Management specialization is a presentation
of the basic and applied sciences underlying the effective management of turfgrasses. Courses in chemistry, botany
and mathematics along with courses in soils, plant nutrition, ecology, plant protection, genetics, and business
management together establish a technical background upon which a sound understanding of turfgrass management is built.
This specialization qualifies the graduate for certification as a turfgrass manager or turfgrass specialist with the
American Registry of Certified Professionals in Agronomy, Crops, and Soils, Ltd. (ARPACS) of the American Society of
Agronomy. This program also meets the requirements of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).
The turfgrass effort at URI includes the instructional program, extension of information to the turf industry, and an
internationally renowned turf research program (the oldest in the United States). Supporting these activities are a
15-acre turfgrass experiment station, five research laboratories, controlled environmental facilities and a greenhouse
complex. Through special project courses, work study positions and summer employment, students become familiar with and
use most of these facilities. Summer employment is available at golf courses and turf farms through cooperative arrangements.
Those wishing to acquire a greater degree of professionalism
in turfgrass science may enter the Master of Science program. This program requires an additional 24 credits of advanced
course work plus at least 6 credits of research (which includes the preparation of a thesis). MasterŐs students may
conduct research in stress physiology, nutrient-use efficiency, cultivar evaluation, plant pathology, or
chemical and biological interactions of soils and turfgrasses, etc. Under the supervision of a faculty member, the
thesis research normally results in the publication of technical papers and entry into the turfgrass profession.
Graduate study toward the Ph.D. is also available.
Graduates of the Turfgrass Management specialization qualify for positions as supervisors of parks or recreational facilities, as
superintendents of golf courses (the largest percentage of our graduates), sales representatives of seed and agricultural supply companies, or as members of the writing or editorial
staffs of turf industry publications. Many of our graduates have established successful lawn care businesses, joined the management staffs
of lawn care firms or become part of landscape contracting businesses. Those with graduate degrees can become technical representatives for
agribusiness firms; join the research and development staffs of a seed, chemical or marketing companies which serve the turf industry;
or conduct basic and applied research at experiment stations and universities. The Natural Resources Conservation Service, Bureau of
Land Management, Department of Defense, and the Department of Agriculture employ people knowledgeable in the establishment and care of
turf grasslands. State departments of environmental management, water resources management, flood control, and highway departments need
people with grass management expertise.
Students completing the Turfgrass Management specialization are awarded the Bachelor of Science. Of the 130 credits required for graduation,
30 are General Education requirements, 88 are program requirements and 12 are free electives. Attached are courses approved for inclusion in
the Turfgrass Specialization. With the assistance of a faculty advisor, each student can formulate a program of study to meet their own
educational and professional objectives.
Entrance Preparation: Students who wish to enter the Turfgrass Management specialization should have a sound background in
chemistry, biology, mathematics, physics and English. Minimum requirements for entry are 18 units of college preparatory work including
4 units in English, 3 units in algebra and plane geometry, 2 units in physical or natural science, 2 units in history or social science,
and 7 additional units in the above or other areas
Dr. Michael Sullivan (Agronomy): Turfgrass Management Concentration
Dr. Nathaniel Mitkowski (Plant Pathology): Turfgrass Management Concentration
Dr. Brian Maynard (Horticulture): Enviornmental Horticulture Concentration
See faculty directory for specific contact information.
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