Golf Course & Turfgrass Management Program
The University of Maryland at College Park
Institute of Applied Agriculture

The Institute of Applied Agriculture (IAA) offers a 60 credit hour certificate program in golf course and turfgrass management. This program is located on the University of Maryland campus in College Park and is known for its high quality instructional programs and faculty. Small class size combined with laboratory exercises offers students realistic learning experiences in turfgrass management and qualifies them for successful careers in the golf and turfgrass management industry. For additional information on the IAA program contact:

Dr. Kevin Mathias
2113 Jull Hall
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Phone: 301-405-4692
E-mail: jm26@umail.umd.edu

Turf and Golf Course Management Program
The University of Maryland at College Park
Department of Natural Resource Sciences & Landscape Architecture

Introduction and Mission
The Turf and Golf Course Management Program at the University of Maryland provides students with the broad based skills needed to succeed as a practicing turfgrass professional. Although the program focuses on golf turf management, it is also designed to expose students to all segments of the turfgrass industry. The required course work stresses an interdisciplinary science approach to turfgrass management, and leads to the Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural Resource Science. The curriculum's applied courses integrate new product and research information into 'real world' turfgrass management programs. The use of new technologies and the impact of turfgrass management on the environment also is also stressed in the curriculum.

Location
The University of Maryland is located nine miles from Washington DC in the heart of the turfgrass transition zone. The transition zone is widely viewed by turfgrass professionals as being one of the most difficult regions in which to manage turf. Our location provides unique opportunities for students to learn first hand how to manage both warm- and cool-season grasses in a challenging environment. The nearby cities of Washington D.C. and Baltimore are home to many golf and sports turf facilities recognized has being among the nation's best. These facilities provide numerous internship opportunities for Turf and Golf Course Management Program students.

Facilities
The Department of Natural Resource Sciences and Landscape Architecture is housed in the Plant Science Building and in H.J. Patterson Hall. Turf and Golf Course Management program courses are taught in both buildings. State of the art classrooms containing the latest in computer aided teaching technology are paired with well-equipped teaching laboratories. Students receive hands-on experience in many facets of turfgrass management in field laboratory exercises conducted at the University of Maryland Paint Branch Turfgrass Research and Education Facility. The Paint Branch facility contains 40 acres of turfgrass research studies and over 12,000 square feet of office, laboratory, conference, classroom and equipment storage space dedicated exclusively to turfgrass teaching and research. It is one of the largest on-campus turfgrass research and education facilities in the nation.

Faculty The turfgrass faculty are involved in many aspects of turfgrass management. Each turfgrass faculty team member teaches within the program, conducts turfgrass research of regional and national significance and actively participates in providing advisory services to local and national turfgrass industry organizations. Faculty members participating in the Turf and Golf Course Management Program from the Department of Natural Resource Sciences and Landscape Architecture include: Dr. Mark Carroll, Associate Professor Turfgrass Physiology and Water Quality Dr. Peter H. Dernoeden, Professor Turfgrass Pathology and Weed Management Dr. Thomas R. Turner, Associate Professor Turfgrass Management and Cultivar Evaluation

Curriculum
The Turf and Golf Course Management curriculum has been developed to provide graduates with the tools needed for professional success, and stresses an interdisciplinary approach to turfgrass management. The curriculum was designed to encourage students to pursue studies in disciplines closely allied to turfgrass management. Students typically select courses in landscape horticulture or business management as electives within the curriculum. Students who wish to prepare for graduate studies in turfgrass management are encouraged to take courses in basic sciences as electives. In addition to other requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree, some of the required courses for Turf and Golf Course Management include:

Career Opportunities
The management of turfgrasses is a highly specialized profession with numerous career opportunities for those possessing degrees in turfgrass management. Traditionally, the number of opportunities available to Turf and Golf Course Management students have exceeded the number of graduates. This trend is expected to continue in the future. Turf and Golf Course Management Program graduates are commonly employed as:

Scholarships & Financial Aid
Students accepted into this program are automatically considered for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources merit-based scholarships. In addition, The Department of Natural Resource Sciences and Landscape Architecture has several scholarships specifically targeted for Turf and Golf Course Management Program students. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit and a demonstrated interest in turfgrass management as a career. Turf and Golf Course Management Program scholarship sponsors include the Maryland State Golf Association, Bayer Corporation and the Aventis Environmental Science Companies. Students are also encouraged to apply for turfgrass scholarships awarded by the Maryland Turfgrass Council, the Mid-Atlantic Association of Golf Course Superintendents, and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

Contact Information

Admission Information:
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Ms. Beth Weiss
Phone: 301-314-7222
E-mail: eweiss@deans.umd.edu

Program Information:
Department of Natural Resource Sciences
and Landscape Architecture
Dr. Mark Carroll
Phone: 301-405-1339
E-mail: mc92@umail.umd.edu

Ms. Kathleen Hunt
Phone: 301-405-4355
E-mail: kh26@umail.umd.edu

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