Citrus Pathology | PLP 5115C
Credits: 3 | Prerequisite: PLP 3002C

Citrus Pathology is comprehensive course covering the major citrus diseases. The course introduces students to the symptoms, vectors, disease cycles, and control measures for major citrus diseases with an emphasis on diagnosis using biological, chemical, and biochemical techniques. The course will also focus on the understanding of disease pathogenicity and control strategies. It is taught by a team of citrus plant pathologists and nematologists from the Citrus Research and Education Center, Lake Alfred. The lectures will be presented at Lake Alfred, but are broadcast live via Zoom to the Dept. of Plant Pathology at Gainesville, and other research centers as needed. Students will participate in lectures, field visits, and presentations. One term research paper on a disease of citrus (student choice) will be required for course completion.

• Snapshot

  OFFICE: Building 7103, Room 5, Citrus Research and Education Center
  OFFICE HOURS: Drop - in office hours Mondays 1:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m., or by appointment , or email anytime. 
  PHONE: 863.956.8833 
  EMAIL: nabilkilliny@ufl.edu 

  Prerequisites

  There is no recommended text however students will need to have access to the Compendium of Citrus Diseases and other citrus disease texts. These texts are available at CREC in the media center and in the Dept. of Plant Pathology Teaching Laboratory.

  Learning Objectives

  Citrus is a major crop in the state of Florida. Citrus diseases are an economically important aspect of citrus production. Since 1986, many exotic citrus pathogens and their vectors have been introduced into Florida, and most have become established. The overall goal of this course is for students to gain knowledge about both the endemic as well as exotic citrus diseases and current methods being used to detect, diagnose and manage these diseases. By the end of this course, student should be able to:

  • Recognize the symptoms, the causal agents, and the vector of numerous endemic citrus diseases
  • Understand the epidemiology of citrus diseases
  • Become familiar with the current management practices

  Learning Modules

  The course content for this class is divided into 4 learning modules, fungal diseases, viral diseases, bacterial diseases and citrus responses and genetic manipulation. Each module includes few lectures. Every module has an associated graded quiz right after completion of the module.

   

• Course Specifics

  Date/Time

  Mondays 9:35 to 11:30 a.m. and Fridays 12:50 to 1:40 p.m.

  Instructor(s)

  Dr. Nabil Killiny Associate Professor, Plant Pathology

  Office

  Building 7103, Room 5, Citrus Research and Education Center

  Office Hours

  Drop-in office hours Mondays 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm or by appointment or email anytime

  Phone

  863-956-8833

  Email

  nabilkilliny@ufl.edu

  Grading

  Grading is based on the performance on two written exams; one midterm in-class plus one cumulative final exam.  In addition to four quizzes for the four modules.  The faculty team members submit questions for each each exam based on their specializations. Questions on the exam are graded by the submitted faculty member and compiled by the course coordinator.  Grades will be based on the following assessments:

  Assessment	Points	Percent of grade
  Quiz 1	10	5
  Quiz 2	10	5
  Quiz 3	10	5
  Quiz 4	10	5
  Mid-term exam	80	40
  Final Exam	80	40

  For information on current UF policies for assigning grade points see https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/grades.aspx

  In accordance with current University of Florida policy, grade points will be assigned as follows.

  Letter Grade	Grade Points	Percentage
  A	4.0	90 or above
  B	3.0	80-83
  C	2.0	70-73
  D	1.0	60-63
  E	0.0	56 or below

• Course Schedule

  PLP5115C: Citrus Pathology
  
  COURSE LECTURE SCHEDULE Fall 2023 ( PDF )

• Attendance and Participation

  Participation is a vital part of the course experience; students should take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions of the faculty members, each of which have substantial expertis in teh topics that they present.  If a student must miss a class due to illness or other extenuating circumstances, he/she must listen to the missed lecture(s) that are posted. Students are expected to come prepared to participate in the class lectures and the field trip. Students entrolled in the class should already have a basic understanding of the concepts of plant pathology. Questions are highly encouraged.  The field trip is a two-day trip; students in Gainesville or other locations must travel to Lake Alfred.  The costs of travel to Lake Alfred and for an overnight stay in Lake Alfred are covered by the lab fees. The students have the opportunity on this field trip to visit citrus groves and to see some of the diseases covered in the course, and to discuss them with both faculty and growers.

  Academic Integrity standards will be upheld vigilantly at all times in this class.  Upon registering at the University of Florida, you 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." On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of florida, the following pledge is either required or implied:

  "On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment." You will be expected to keep these commitments in every aspect of your participation in this class.

• University Policies and Services

  UF Distance Education Student Complaints

  Should you have any complaints with your experience in this course, which you are unable to resolve directly with the instructor, please visit http://www.distance.ufl.edu/student-complaints to submit a complaint.

  UF Counseling Services

  This resource provides resources on campus for students having difficulties which may interfere with their academic performance.  Programs are available for general therapy, stress management, anger management, math confidence, career counseling, LGBT support, and many other specific needs.  Resources available to you include: 1) University Counseling Center, 301 Peabody Hall, 392-1575; 2) Student Mental Health Center, 392-1171; 3) Sexual Assault Recovery Services (SARS), Student Health Care Center, 392-1161; 4) Career Resource Center, Reitz Union, 392-1261). The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student.  This documentation must be presented to the instructor when requesting accommodation.  For further information, see the Disability Resource Center (www.dso.ufl.edu/OSD/)

  Software Use and Copyright

  All faculty, staff, and students of the University are required and expected to obey the laws and legal agreements governing software use.  Failure to do do 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.