AGCR 1307 0100 - RANGE MANAGEMENT

Introduction

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Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title:

Range Management

Course Prefix & Number: 

AGCR1307

Section Number:

0100

Semester/Year:

SP21

Semester Credit Hours:

3

Lecture Hours:

48

Lab Hours:

0

Course Description (NCTC Catalog):

Study of the practical problems of managing native pastures and rangelands. Includes rangeland ecology, stocking rates, rotation systems, toxic plants, range reseeding, brush control, and ecological and physiological responses of range vegetation to grazing.                                         

Course Prerequisite(s): NONE

Textbook: (required): Southern Forages, 5th Ed., Ball, Hoveland, and Lacefield

References: Agriculture Extension Service Bulletin and Brochures and other references

         Forages, Volumes I and II, Barnes, Miller, and Nelson
             

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Shelby Hill

Campus/Office Location:

Equine Center

Telephone Number:

(940) 668-4292 (Office)

(940) 594-1765 (Cell)

E-mail Address:

shhill@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS - Online

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

2-4

2-4

2-4

2-4

 

Students are encouraged to contact instructor to schedule office appointments during non-posted times (especially evening hours). 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

 

Learning Outcomes

  • Identify range problems including toxic plants, overgrazing, and water distribution
  • Evaluate brush control methods including biological, mechanical, chemical, and range burning
  • Devise range reseeding and water development plans
  • Design rotational grazing systems; and compute stocking rates

 

 

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

2

Lecture Exam (Midterm and Final) 100 points each

200 Points

15

Weekly Assignments and Quizzes 10 points each

150 Points

1

Grazing Plan

100 points

 

1

Attendance

Weekly attendance will be graded according to participation in assignments and quizzes

50 points

 

1

Attitude

[This is that part of the course that if you have 89.4999999 average, the professor can choose to (or not to) award you an A in the course]

(1%)

 

Total Points

500 Points (100%)

 

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)

Date

Topic

 

1/19

Syllabus, Introductions, Intro to Range Management

Discussion Board 1 & Quiz 1

1/26

Developing Forage Programs

Quiz 2

2/2

Rotational Grazing Systems and Management

Discussion Board 2

2/9

Common Rangeland Problems & Toxic Plants

Quiz 3

2/16

Common Forage-Livestock Disorders

Discussion Board 3

2/23

Nutrient Requirements of Livestock

Quiz 4

3/2

Stocking Rates

Discussion Board 4

3/9

Midterm Exam

Grazing Plan Due

3/15-3/19

Spring Break

 

3/23

Forages and the Environment & Forages for Cattle

Quiz 5

3/30

Forages for Horses, Goats, Deer, Sheep, Llamas, and Ratite

Discussion Board 5

4/6

Wildlife Management on Rangelands

Quiz 6

4/13

Water Development & Distribution

Discussion Board 6

4/20

Seeds & Reseeding

Quiz 7

4/27

Controlling Brush on Rangelands

Discussion Board 7

5/4

Prescribed Fire

Quiz 8

5/11

Final Exam

 

 

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor.  It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member.  Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam.  Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times (9 contact hours) to preclude meeting the course’s objectives.    Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)

Although attendance is still required, attendance will be based on your online performance. 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 5, 2021.

 

DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).

Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc.  Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.

If you feel you have needs for services that the institution provides, please reach out to either Wayne Smith (940) 498-6207 or Yvonne Sandman (940) 668-3300.  Alternative students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 111 in Gainesville.

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA (For classes in the Core)________           

 

  • Communication
  • Mathematics            
  • Life and Physical Science
  • Language, Philosophy & Culture
  • Creative Arts
  • American History

 

  • Government/Political Science
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Component Area Option

 

 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)

 

      X    Critical Thinking

      X    Communication

      X    Empirical and Quantitative

  • Teamwork
  • Personal Responsibility

X   Social Responsibility

 

 

COURSE TYPE

Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

  X       WECM Course

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online. https://www.nctc.edu/_documents/academics/student-handbook.pdf

 

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”. 

 

Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:

  1.  Academic probation for the rest of the semester
  2. In the case of a 2nd offense, there will be immediate suspension for the semester

 

POLICY OF THE INSTRUCTOR

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY: YOU ARE EXPECTED AND ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE WEEKLY IN ALL ASSIGNMENTS.  IF YOU MISS ANY CLASS MEETINGS, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO OBTAIN AND MAKE UP ANY WORK MISSED.  EXCESSIVE ABSENCES CAN RESULT IN BEING DROPPED FROM THIS CLASS. 

For online portion of the course:  Failure to participate for 1 week constitutes 1 absence. 

 

RESPECT POLICY:  You are expected to respect each other as students.  You are expected to respect the professor and all others who lead your learning path such as guests and visitors.  It is the anticipation of the professor that as adult individuals and students of NCTC that this will not be an issue but to ensure our understanding, the following are disrespectful:

  • Expressing opinions in an aggressive manner toward others (please express yourself and any opinions in a respectful way)
  • Using inappropriate language while posting on discussion boards or in learning environment
  • Submitting files late due to technical issues (work on things early, technical issues will not suffice as an excuse for late work)
  • Repeated actions on this list

This list is short and as you are aware, there are many disrespectful actions.  You will be (or may already be) in the agriculture profession.  Agriculture is a profession of honor and integrity.  In this course you will be expected to conduct yourself as an agriculture professional.  Violation of professional behavior and actions may lead to dismissal from the course. 

 

Syllabi Statements Spring 2021 - COVID-19 Specific

 

Conversion of Onsite Classes to Online/Remote Format: North Central Texas College students should be aware that in the event of a college closure due to COVID-19, onsite classes will be converted to an online/remote format. Students should plan ahead to ensure they have access to the computer equipment (either PC, MAC, or tablet), webcam, and internet connectivity to continue their classes in an online/remote format. Please read all your official North Central Texas College student emails as the transition from onsite to online/remote might require a reorganization in your personal situation. Students will be granted a 72-hour transition and grace period. Online classes will continue as scheduled without disruption. Wear a mask, stay safe, and contact your Instructor as the situation arises. These policies and procedures were updated on July 30, 2020 and are subject to change as conditions change.

 

Face Coverings: Per the North Central Texas College guidance on face coverings on campus, in the instructional setting, faculty and students must wear face coverings, such as masks or face shields. Students without coverings, or those who do not comply with the rules relating to face coverings, will not be able to participate in on-campus classroom activities. To request an exception to this requirement, students should contact the NCTC HR Office of Enrollment Management (ccove@nctc.edu). Failure to comply with the face coverings requirement may result in the Instructor directing the student to leave the classroom. Any student asked to leave the classroom may be referred to the student conduct officer. These policies and procedures were updated on July 30, 2020 and are subject to change.

 

Temporary COVID-19 Attendance Policy for Face-to-Face Meetings: We are facing an unprecedented situation in which all of us must be flexible and make prudent decisions in the best interest of our families, our campus, and our community. In light of this, North Central Texas College is temporarily establishing the requirement that faculty keep records of student attendance for face-to-face course meetings as well as a documented seating chart. In addition, students who are sick or need to quarantine should not attend classes. Students will not be required to provide formal documentation from a health care provider and will not be penalized for COVID-19 related absences when proper notification to campus health officials is made in accordance with the guidelines stated below.

 

Faculty will:

 

  • Notify students about important course information and delivery changes through Canvas and campus email.

 

Students should:

  • Provide notification to campus officials (via NCTC Daily Health Check protocol through Canvas) if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or have to quarantine so we can confirm reported absence with instructors, monitor, and assist the campus community.
  • Notify instructors in advance of the absence.
  • Connect with that class through Webex if the class session is being transmitted in a hybrid fashion.
  • Keep up with and/or make up missed classwork or assignments.
  • Submit assignments digitally through Canvas or other means as announced by your instructor.
  • Work with their instructors to reschedule exams, labs, and other critical academic activities described in the course syllabus.
  • Check Canvas and campus email daily to receive important announcements pertaining to the course.

During the spring 2021 semester, faculty with face-to-face meetings will establish assigned seating/work stations to facilitate roll-taking, and, if necessary, contact tracing. Additionally, we ask all members of the College community to be attentive to their health, and safeguard others, by following the CDC’s guideline to “stay home when you are sick.” You should stay home if you have symptoms. More information on what to do if you are sick is available at the CDC’s website.

Additional NCTC information is available at http://www.nctc.edu/coronavirus/index.html

 

 

 

 

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of chair/coordinator:

 

Dr. Lisa Bellows

Science/Agriculture Department Chair

Office Location:

Gainesville 1306A

Telephone Number:

(940) 668-4346

E-mail Address:

lbellows@nctc.edu