Undergraduate Student Numbers
2025 Enrollment
25 Students
enrolled in the Turfgrass Science and Management option of the Plant and Landscape Systems major.
Turfgrass Science and Management + Professional Golf Management (PGM)
6 Students
out of the 25 students also dual major with the Turfgrass Science and Management option and the Professional Golf Management (PGM) program.
More Information on Turfgrass Science and Management
To learn more about the PLAS: Turfgrass Science and Management option
PLAS Turfgrass Science and Management Major PLAS Turfgrass Science and Management Minor
Turfgrass National Conferences in 2025
GCSAA Conference and Trade Show
Twelve students attended the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show and competed in the GCSAA Turf Bowl in San Diego, CA. The teams placed 16th, 38th, and 44th, out of 76 teams. Topics covered in the competition include cool- and warm-season grass, weed, disease, insect, and seed identification; turfgrass growth and development; turfgrass management practices; soil fertility; pesticides and control methods; turfgrass mathematics; water management; and business management practices. Instructor: Anne Streich.
National SFMA Conference
UNL turfgrass science and management students also participated in the student challenge at the Sports Field Management Association Conference (SFMA) in Palm Springs, Calif. and placed 21st out of 30 teams. The SFMA Student Challenge team included 3 students: Alex Painter, Carson Vachal, and Aaron Barnhouse. This also marks the first time the UNL turf team has participated in the SFMA Student Challenge since 2017. Similar topics to the GCSAA Turf Bowl, except with more emphasis on the Sports Field Management. Instructors: Anne Streich and Amanda Folck.
Student Internships About
Internship Experiences in 2025
PLAS 295 and 395T
Students in the Plant and Landscape Systems major are required to complete two internships as part of their academic program. The list on the side show locations of all student internships during 2025.
Instructor: Anne Streich
List of Internships in 2025
- Amarillo Country Club; Amarillo, TX
- Country Club of Lincoln; Lincoln, NE
- Denver Broncos Football (NFL) Club; Englewood, CO
- Happy Hollow Club; Omaha, NE
- Lost Rail Golf Club; Gretna, NE
- Nantucket Golf Club; Nantucket, MA
- Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB); Pittsburgh, PA
- Sand Hills Golf Club; Mullen, NE
- The Prairie Club; Valentine, NE
- The Preserve Golf Club; Carmel by the Sea, CA
- Husker Athletics; Lincoln, NE
- Wrigley Field (MLB: Chicago Cubs), Chicago, IL
Other Courses in Turfgass Science and Management Option
PLAS 227: Introduction to Turfgrass Management
Instructor: Anne Streich
Students gain an appreciation for the dynamic nature and complexity of managed turf systems. Students are exposed to different sectors of the turfgrass industry; are able to identify common turfgrass species, problems associated with each and how to remedy those problems; and become knowledgeable of the primary cultural practices used by successful turfgrass managers.
PLAS 229: Introductory Turfgrass Management Laboratory
Instructor: Luqi Li
PLAS 229 is a hands-on laboratory course serving sophomore turfgrass students and those in the Professional Golf Management Program. The course provides foundational preparation for managing turf systems in golf, athletic, residential, and urban landscapes, with an emphasis on practical skills and sustainable management practices relevant to the turfgrass industry.
Students develop applied competencies including basic calculations and data handling, equipment calibration, soil sampling, turfgrass and weed identification, and interpretation of fertilizer and pesticide labels. A central component of the course is a team-based Turfgrass Establishment Project in which students design, implement, and evaluate turf establishment strategies for real-world scenarios such as golf course tees, home lawns, and athletic fields. Over an eight-week monitoring period, students assess turf performance, conduct basic cost analyses, and present management recommendations, strengthening their technical, analytical, and professional communication skills.
PLAS 327: Turfgrass Science and Mangement
Instructor: Keenan Amundsen
This course explores the scientific principles of turfgrass physiology, species adaptation, establishment, management, relationships with soil, systems, and pest management. After completing the course, students understand how management, environmental factors, and grass species impact turfgrass growth and function.
PLAS 391T: Turf and Landscape Math
Instructor: Keenan Amundsen
Turf and landscape professionals use applied math skills daily. Maintaining inventories, calculating areas and application rates, and tracking labor and costs are a few examples of common math used in the industry. The course demonstrates examples and methods for solving turf and landscape math problems. By the end of the course, students have the necessary skills and confidence to solve turf and landscape math problems.
PLAS 427: Turfgrass Systems Management
Instructor: Amanda Folck
The course is a lecture and lab-based capstone course for senior turfgrass science major or minor students. The students develop an understanding of the diversity of various turfgrass systems (lawn care, sports fields, and golf courses), and how those different systems impact turfgrass management. Students develop management plans and visit several facilities to gain practical experience.
