Syllabus for Principles of Horticulture (HALT 1391)   

Time, Place: Tuesday Thursday 4.15 – 5.30 pm Rio Grande Campus
Instructor:  P. Ivy, rash@austincc.edu, phone number 555-2254
Office Hours:  5.30 pm – 6 pm TTh or 6.50 pm – 7.20 pm or by appointment
	            Office -  Rio Grande Campus 33rd floor  Rm. 0000A
Text:  Plant Science by McMahon, et al., 4th Ed. Or 5th Ed.
Class Format & Materials Needed: Standard lecture and laboratory format/equipment.
Student Learning Objectives:  To give students an understanding of plants, plant growth requirements, geographic distribution of major plant types, the importance of soil, climate, topography and other factors on plant growth, pest control, food crops, landscape plants, floriculture, erosion control, and the impact of plants on and by society.
Course Rationale:
This course is designed to give a basic understanding of the importance of plants and plant growth management for use in the practice of horticulture and soil science.
Class schedule:    NOTE the subject matter I show as deleted is interesting and it might broaden your knowledge base or enhance your understanding, thereby helping you in the class – but I will not have time to cover it specifically and will you will not be tested over it specifically.
A FURTHER NOTE: The reading assignments are supplemented by material I cover during lecture whether speaking, touring outside, or showing a slide presentation.  I will also provide additional
material (e.g., handouts or interactive computer-based lesson).  You are responsible for knowing all these materials, not just the text reading assignments shown below.
 
Weeks				Topics				Reading Assignments
Jan 18-Feb 10		Introduction, History			Chapters 1-5, 15, 6
                 	            Terrestrial Ecosystems	 	
		Human Impacts on Ecosystems
		Climate, Solar Radiation & Moisture
Climate, Temperature, Air, Composition
Crop Biodiversity with emphasis on Table 15-1 and Figure 8-35
Soil and Soil Management
Delete Chapter 2 prior to “The Biomes”
Delete Chapter 3 prior to “Plants for Human Use”
Delete Chapter 15 “Plant Improvement Programs” thru end of chapter
Tentative Feb 15	Exam 1
Feb 17-Mar 8		Weeds, Insects, Diseases		Chapters 7-8, portion 9*
			Structure of Higher Plants	 	 		Growth & Development			
			Plant Chemistry & Metabolism
			Photosynthesis & Respiration
			* Read Chapter 9 Table 9-5, pages 173-174 and pages 179-180
			Delete Chapter 10
Concepts of Chapter 11 will be presented via an exercise on photosynthesis		rather than through text of Chapter 11
Tentative Mar 10	Exam 2 
MARCH 14th – MARCH 18th SPRING BREAK
Mar 22-Apr 14		Soil & Planet Water Relations		Chapters 12-13, 14, 16
			Plant Nutrients				
 			Genetics & Propagation			
 			Crops for food, fiber, fuel 
Tentative Apr 19	Exam 3
Apr 21 –April 28		Vegetable Production			Chapters 18 – 19, 21			 		Temperate Fruit & Nut Crops	
 		Nursery Production	
May 3, 5 & 10		Floriculture & Turf grasses		Chapters 23-24
Final Exam May 12th

This schedule is subject to change during the semester.  Topics and tests may not correspond to the above dates.  You will be notified a week in advance of each exam.  I also intend to move parts of some lectures outside on pretty days for plant identification and observation purposes. On rainy days we’ll stay inside for lecture and/or slide shows. 

PLEASE NOTE:  We will have a field trip.  Attendance at the field trip is NOT mandatory for this class.  I see no reason to punish those who have to work or attend some other class.  However, for whoever CAN attend the field trip, fun is on the agenda – we’ll find a way to make it so with plants and camaraderie.

Grades for the course will be based on the following:    
1.  Four examinations will make up the lecture grade. The exams may contain short answer, multiple-choice, matching, and essay type questions.  Up to 50% of the final exam can be comprehensive - don’t clear your memory of material after each exam (build on what you learn and make connections)!  There will be no makeup tests – you can miss one exam for a valid reason with documentation.  However, the missed exam will be replaced by a formal, ten-page, research paper with at least ten formal references, spelling and grammar checked, in the correct style.  (You really don’t want to do this!)    The final exam must be taken to pass the course - no makeup is possible. There will be no extra credit assignments.
Course Grading Summary 
	Lecture Grade                     
	Exam I 	 	25%									 	Exam II	25%			
	Exam III 	25%	
	Final Exam 	25%
	Avg. the four exams = Final Course Grade 
2.  If I determine that you have missed six class sessions and your grade is below 80%, I may drop you from the class (ACC policy allows for this).  Students who are frequently absent from, or late to, class generate trouble for themselves via low grades and extra work for faculty members.  On the other hand, if you are a student that consistently attends class on a punctual basis and your grade falls on a “marginal” place at the upper end of a letter grade (e.g., 89 which would be a B), I may give you the next highest letter grade in recognition of your excellent attendance.  
3.  The course will be graded with a standard grade scale (70-79% = “C”; 80-89%= “B”, etc.).  Exams will NOT be curved.  Regardless of how convincing the arguments or how much you feel you deserve it, I do not “give” grades not earned.  It is your responsibility to record your grades and keep up with your own average during the semester. 
4.  Students are responsible for all information given out in class whether they are there or not.  If you miss class contact someone to learn what you missed (i.e. changed exam dates, assignments, notes) and get the material from them.  I don’t normally carry the previous class’s handouts with me.  
5.  Letting a student withdraw from class or receive an incomplete grade after the drop deadline is only done for extreme reasons - I have to follow ACC policies regarding extreme reasons (see above).  An incomplete (grade of "I") will be given only if extenuating circumstances, such as illness or death of a loved one, keep a student from completing the course material.  Incompletes must be requested in writing with documentation of the extenuating circumstances.  If a grade of “I” is given, the course material must be finished by a date set by the student and professor.  This date may not be later than two weeks prior to the end of the next semester. 
6.  If you drop the class you must do the paperwork and contact the administration.   If you decide to drop this class, you must protect your academic record by withdrawing before the drop deadline (check that date - I don‘t keep track of it because it does not affect me!).  You are also strongly encouraged to hang onto any paperwork should there be a problem in the computer records showing that you dropped the class.
7. Class conduct - ACC expects professional conduct from both faculty and students.  Conduct that interferes with the ability to teach or learn will result in removal from class pending review by the Dean of Student Affairs.  Rude behavior includes disturbing class by entering late in an inconsiderate or loud fashion or interrupting lectures (disruptive talking, sharpening pencils, using cell phones, etc.).   Read your student handbook, you agreed to everything in it by registering for class!

Advice:  
1.  If you are having trouble (more than one exam is below the grade level you are happy with) or have any questions about topics in class, seek help immediately.  Don't wait until the last weeks of the semester, or the last test, to become "concerned" - it will do no good.  
2.  Attend lectures!  You are responsible for any information given out during class and the consequences of missing critical information (rescheduled test dates).   Being absent or late sends a strong message to the faculty that you don’t care much about your academic career; if you don’t care, it becomes hard for them to get excited about your grade.  
3.  Keep up with the reading.  Read the chapters before they are covered in class.  The notes are a summary of the text information (with material added); they are not a substitute for reading assignments.  Some test questions may come from the text alone.  Look at the terms bolded in the text – they are defined in the text Glossary.  Look at Key Points at the beginning of each chapter and at questions at the end of each chapter to start studying.  
4.  Never lend anyone your notes/book before an exam.  Go with them to a copy machine and let them get the information under your supervision.  A lost book (or notes) is not a valid reason for missing a test.  
5. Please, no electronics in class unless you talk to me first.  Turn cell phones off or to silent before class.  I also reserve the right to take 5 points off your last test grade if the phone goes off in class and 10 points if you answer it!

Other Information (Fine Print)
PREREQUISITES
Reading and math proficiency as proven by passing score on ACC assessment or TASP tests, or by exemption through hours from another college.  One year of high school science is also required
Safety
Campus Police Dispatch-222 or 3-7999.  Learn the  Building evacuation routes.
Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty
"Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to, cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work.  Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression.  Academic work is defined as, but not limited to, tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations; and homework.”
Statement on Students with Disabilities 
"Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities.  Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office of Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes.  Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester.”  “Students who are requesting accommodation must provide the instructor with a letter of accommodation from the Office of Students with Disabilities (OSD) at the beginning of the semester.   Accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the letter of accommodation from OSD.”
Statement on Academic Freedom
"Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good.  The common good depends upon a search for truth and upon free expression.  In this course the professor and students shall strive to protect free inquiry and the open exchange of facts, ideas, and opinions.  Students are free to take exception to views offered in this course and to reserve judgment about debatable issues. Grades will not be affected by personal views.  With this freedom comes the responsibility of civility and a respect for a diversity of ideas and opinions.  This means that students must take turns speaking, listen to others speak without interruption, and refrain from name-calling or other personal attacks."