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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course Title:
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Range Management
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Course Prefix & Number:
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AGCR1307
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Section Number:
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0100
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Semester/Year:
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SP21
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Semester Credit Hours:
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3
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Lecture Hours:
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48
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Lab Hours:
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0
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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.
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Course Prerequisite(s): NONE
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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
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Shelby Hill
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Campus/Office Location:
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Equine Center
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Telephone Number:
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(940) 668-4292 (Office)
(940) 594-1765 (Cell)
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E-mail Address:
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shhill@nctc.edu
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OFFICE HOURS - Online
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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2-4
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2-4
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2-4
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2-4
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Students are encouraged to contact instructor to schedule office appointments during non-posted times (especially evening hours).
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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog
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At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
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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
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GRADING CRITERIA
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# of Graded Course Elements
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Graded Course Elements
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Percentage or Point Values
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2
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Lecture Exam (Midterm and Final) 100 points each
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200 Points
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15
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Weekly Assignments and Quizzes 10 points each
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150 Points
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1
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Grazing Plan
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100 points
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1
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Attendance
Weekly attendance will be graded according to participation in assignments and quizzes
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50 points
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1
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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]
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(1%)
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Total Points
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500 Points (100%)
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COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)
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Date
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Topic
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1/19
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Syllabus, Introductions, Intro to Range Management
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Discussion Board 1 & Quiz 1
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1/26
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Developing Forage Programs
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Quiz 2
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2/2
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Rotational Grazing Systems and Management
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Discussion Board 2
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2/9
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Common Rangeland Problems & Toxic Plants
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Quiz 3
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2/16
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Common Forage-Livestock Disorders
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Discussion Board 3
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2/23
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Nutrient Requirements of Livestock
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Quiz 4
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3/2
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Stocking Rates
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Discussion Board 4
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3/9
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Midterm Exam
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Grazing Plan Due
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3/15-3/19
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Spring Break
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3/23
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Forages and the Environment & Forages for Cattle
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Quiz 5
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3/30
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Forages for Horses, Goats, Deer, Sheep, Llamas, and Ratite
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Discussion Board 5
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4/6
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Wildlife Management on Rangelands
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Quiz 6
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4/13
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Water Development & Distribution
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Discussion Board 6
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4/20
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Seeds & Reseeding
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Quiz 7
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4/27
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Controlling Brush on Rangelands
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Discussion Board 7
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5/4
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Prescribed Fire
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Quiz 8
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5/11
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Final Exam
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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
Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)
Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course
X WECM Course
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
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:
- Academic probation for the rest of the semester
- 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
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Name of chair/coordinator:
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Dr. Lisa Bellows
Science/Agriculture Department Chair
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Office Location:
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Gainesville 1306A
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Telephone Number:
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(940) 668-4346
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E-mail Address:
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lbellows@nctc.edu
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