IMPACT COURSE WORK
CHEM 222
- Elements of Organic and Biological Chemistry
Organic Chemistry was a fantastic class and I was able to learn a ton of new concepts. I got the chance to learn all about nomenclature, typical organic reactions, why these reactions occur and why it is crucial to understand them. Learning about how organic elements react with one another was very beneficial knowledge to have going into a lot of my other classes. This class taught me whole new ways to study, and to always think outside of the box. This will benefit me in the future, showing me that there is always more than one way to accomplish tasks.
These are some of my research plants Borrichia frutescens when the rooted cuttings were freshly potted in late July.
GENE 310
- Principles of Heredity
Genetics was a very tough class, but I think it provides crucial information that everyone should know. I learned about what traits and DNA code sequences make people unique, why some people look and act like others, and why some diseases are more likely to occur in certain people rather than others. I can use the knowledge I learned in this class to be able to understand myself and others better.
ESSM 308
- Fundamentals of Environmental Decision Making
Environmental decision making was a class that shows how every decision we make as humans will affect the environment around us. I learned all about environmental sustainability in the class as well as how to live a life that will benefit the Earth. This class showed me how much damage we are causing to our Earth, and if we don't make some changes soon, then the negative impacts caused will be to hard to reverse. I can use the information learned in this class to live a more sustainable life, and to make sure I put a ton of thought in each and every decision I make in the workforce.
RENR 405
- G.I.S. Environmental Problem Solving
Geographic Information Systems was an all online class that basically just gave me a full semester experience of working with the G.I.S. application. "G.I.S. is a framework for gathering, managing, and analyzing data. G.I.S. integrates many types of data, it analyzes spatial location and organizes layers of information into visualizations using maps and 3D scenes". This is a computer mapping application that helps to identify geographic problems, monitor change, perform forecasting and many other things. I can use my experience from this class if I ever need to map out and discover the layout of any particular piece of land.
HORT 201
My 400+ research plants growing under a 50% shade cloth in early August in order to get acclimated to the outside conditions.
- Horticulture Science and Practices
Hort 201 is the intro class into the Texas A&M Horticulture program. This is where I discovered that I actually wanted to pursue a degree in Horticulture. I learned all kinds of basic knowledge and principles about the growth and regulation of plants.
HORT 308
- Plants for Sustainable Landscapes
Hort 308 taught me all about plant taxonomy, how to classify plants with their genus and specific epithet. I also learned about what plants grow best in certain climatic zones, which helped to show what plants to plant in the different seasons. This class is very beneficial because I can go anywhere on Earth and still be able to communicate with others about plants because I was taught the universal scientific name of common plants.
HORT 315
- Issues in Horticulture
Issues in Horticulture was a very writing intensive class. When I took it, every single assignment we turned in was an essay. This class definitely sharpened my writing skills and just make me an overall better writer. I learned a lot about the issues currently facing the horticulture industry, and I was taught how to dig to really find good research information to back the claims that were being studied. This class will help me later on when I am required to do write ups at my future job. I will also being capable of doing proper research when trying to find information.
HORT 326
- Plant Propagation
My research plants growing in the full sun of the nursery in September.
Plant propagation was a fantastic class that taught me so much. I learned all about how to successfully propagate, graft, and grow plants through tissue culture. This class also showed me the chemical compositions of plants and how they interact with the environment around them to successfully grow in an area. I can use all the knowledge learned from this class when attempting to grow and propagate plants. After getting out of this class, I have already successfully propagated over 1,000 plants.
HORT 335
- Sociohorticulture
"Sociohorticulture looks at how gardens benefit individuals both physically and mentally. It also looks at how gardens and natural spaces can benefit entire communities, becoming a focal point for neighbors to gather together and work on a common goal". This was one of the best classes that I was fortunate enough to take at Texas A&M. I learned all about why we truly need plants, because of how much they benefit our physical and mental health. I can use everything I learned in this class to make sure I live a life in which plants are involved,
HORT 419
- Viticulture and Small Fruit Culture
I really enjoyed learning about viticulture because it is way different than all other horticulture classes. The growth and production of wine grapes is very interesting. We were taught about many different types of wine grapes and the wines produced by them. We were also taught about which grapes grow best in certain areas in order to maximize production and yield the best flavors. This class was very thorough, we were taught every single aspect possible about growing wine grapes. For example: Vineyard site selection, grape varieties, irrigation, fertilization, root stocks, trellis', pruning and training, harvesting and storage, and so much more. I can use all the information learned from this class if I ever decide to enter into the wine production field.
HORT 491
My research plants fully grown in early November moved into the overwintering house in order to take final measurements.
- Research
This isn't actually a class. Hort 491 is the undergraduate research I am currently performing under one of the best professors at Texas A&M, Dr. Michael Arnold. Dr. Arnold is teaching me so much during my ongoing research, as he is very hands-on with the entire process to make sure every aspect of my research runs smoothly. The research I am performing is with the plant Borrichia frutescens, which is commonly named as a 'sea tansy' or 'sea marigold'. I started my research with 28 different stock plants, each a different variety. From those 28 stock plants, I was able to make and root over 800 cuttings. After I had made plenty of rooted cuttings, I potted up over 400 cuttings in two-gallon pots. My research is to compare the overall growth of each variety with the plants fertilized with either low, medium, or high concentrations of slow-release fertilizers throughout the growing season. This is to determine if different fertilizer rates have an effect on the overall growth of these plants. Right now, I am currently harvesting the plants to obtain the final measurements. My research has let me use almost all the information I have learned in the classroom and enabled me to put it all into action. This will be a fantastic experience for me to have if I end up heading down this career path.