Introduction

HALT 1303 0100 - HERBACEOUS PLANTS

Syllabus

Herbaceous Plants: HALT 1303-0100

Spring 2021 Class Syllabus

Course Name &	Herbaceous Plants		Semester & Year		Spring 2021
Number	HALT 1303-0100

Time Offered	On-line, Asynchronous		Class Location		On-line

Instructor	David Castagno		Office Phone #		N/A
Instructor’s Office	NA		Office Fax #		N/A
Email Address	dcastagno@nctc.edu		Office Hours		TBD

Course Catalog	HALT 1303	Herbaceous Plants		3
Description

A study of herbaceous plant material. Topics include practices and procedures used in the identification, growth, propagation, maintenance, and utilization of herbaceous plants in the horticulture industry.

Student Learning Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

Outcomes Identify herbaceous plants at various growth stages; explain methods to propagate herbaceous plants; and describe the cultural requirements for care and use of herbaceous plants.

Textbooks & Materials	Texas Nursery and Landscape Association. Best of Texas Landscape Guide, Order online: http://www.tnlaonline.org/services/best_of_texas (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. REQUIRED TEXT

Grading Policy &	Assignment Point Values
Procedures		Assignment		Points

		§	Plant ID Spreadsheet	100 pts.
		§	Student Topics - Discussion Board Article	50 pts.
		§	Horticulture Discussion (1pt bonus for response to other students’ article
		§ Exams (2)		200 pts.
		§ Plant ID Quizzes (9@20pts ea. Lowest score dropped)		180 pts.
		§ Planting Theme Garden		50 pts.
		§ Container Garden Design		50 pts.

______________________________________________________________

630 Total Pts

Grading Scale:

567-630 points - A

504-566 points - B

441-503 points - C

378-440 points - D

Fewer than 378 points – F

Withdrawal Date:

April 5, 2021

Course Evaluation Descriptions

Lecture Exams

The lecture tests will include all notes, discussions from lecture, reading assignments, lab notes, videos, and fieldtrips. Lecture tests are not cumulative. Exam questions will be multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, and/or essay.

Plant ID Quizzes

An important component of this class is identification of plants, learning plant names (both common and scientific), and learning their growing requirements. Students will be given 10 quizzes, each worth 20-points. The lowest score will be dropped for a total of 180 points. Quizzes will cover any material covered during the “Plants of the Week” class segment. The information covered in these quizzes is cumulative.

Class Participation

Class Participation: Participation is a very important component of your learning experience. This is a class in which students learn from each other. Each student will research 5 Articles during the semester and submit your findings in the Canvas Discussion Board. The topic is open to anything that pertains to the course or horticulture industry. Students are expected to take an active part in the discussions by responding through the Discussion Board. Students can gain extra points through their participation. The instructor will set the schedule of dates for the student’s topic.

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Planting Schemes

After completing this class, students should not only be able to identify landscape plants, but they should also know how to select appropriate plants for particular landscapes. Students will receive 2 Planting Scheme assignments this semester, worth a total of 50 points each. Of the 50 points, 40 points is for the submittal of the assignment and 10 points for participating in the discussion. Blank landscape designs will be distributed, and students will devise a planting scheme based on certain criteria for that landscape.

Plant ID Spreadsheet

In addition to identifying plants, you will create a repository for the plants we learn in class. Spreadsheets are useful tools allowing the user to sort plants based on a criteria. The student will be able to use this tool in their careers.

Attendance Policy	This is an on-line asynchronous class meaning that the class material will be available for you at the beginning of the week in Canvas. You may access the class material anytime during the week.
	I will have a weekly office hour on-line. Your attendance is optional.



Institutional Learning	A quality general education curriculum in all associate degree programs.
Goals	Quality freshman and sophomore level courses in arts and sciences which parallel the

	lower division offerings of four-year colleges and universities.
	Quality technical programs leading directly to careers in semi-skilled and skilled
	occupations, and quality technical education programs up to two years in length
	leading to certificates and associate degrees.
	Quality programs and services in support of adult literacy and basic skills development
	as a mean of workforce enhancement and expanding access to higher education.


Program Purpose	NCTC seeks to implement its goal of providing quality technical programs leading directly to
Statement	careers in semi-skilled and skilled occupations, and quality technical education programs up to
	two years in length leading to certificates and associate degrees by offering a coherent
	sequence of courses with appropriate breadth and depth to prepare students for success in the
	workforce.

Departmental	The Agriculture Department provides freshmen and sophomore level courses in agriculture
Purpose Statement	disciplines which possess academically valid content and demonstrate instructional methods
	which foster high levels of learning for our students who may be transferring to senior
	universities or those who may choose to enter the work force.

Statement of Skills	NCTC seeks to implement its goal of offering a core of general education courses designed to
and Knowledge	help students achieve academic, career and lifelong goals. The chief focus of the General
Expected of NCTC	Education Core Courses at NCTC is to emphasize basic intellectual competencies and broad
Graduates	intellectual perspectives.

Other Policies and	Grade and Attendance Records:
Pertinent Information	All grades and attendance/tardy records will be posted in CANVAS and can be
	accessed at any time during the semester.
	Missing Exams:
	If you are going to miss a lecture test, please notify your instructor prior to the exam.
	If a lecture test is missed with a valid excuse, a point penalty may still be assessed
	depending on the individual situation. A make-up test should be scheduled with 24
	hours. If a lecture test is missed without prior notification or a valid excuse, an
	automatic zero will be assigned.
	Web Browser
	Take note that it is best to use FireFox or Chrome as your web browser when using
	CANVAS.

Study and Preparation Time:

This is a 3-hour credit class. In general, students should expect to spend 2-3 hours studying for each credit hour of a course.

Curving Exams and Final Grades

Exams, assignments, and final grades are NOT curved in this course.

Evaluation of Class I am open to receiving your comments, either positive or negative. These help me to enrich

and Instructor this course and improve as a teacher. Please feel free to see me, email me at dcastagno@nctc.edu.

Scholastic Integrity Scholastic dishonesty shall constitute a violation of college rules and regulations and is punishable as prescribed by Board policies. Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.

I TAKE ACADEMIC DISHONESTY VERY SERIOUSLY.

Plagiarizing, copying answers from another student’s exam, and collaborating on assignments constitutes academic dishonesty and will result in swift disciplinary action. This action will take the form of failing that assignment and/or the entire course. In addition, a letter will be written to the Vice President of Instruction.

EEOC Statement	North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin,
	gender, religion, age, or disability in the employment or the provision of services.

Financial Aid,	The Financial Aid Office is responsible for administering a variety of programs for students who
Scholarships, and	need assistance in financing their education. The first step for financial aid is to complete a
Veterans Services	FAFSA. For more information, please visit your nearest Financial Aid Office.

Students’ Rights and NCTC Board policy FLB (Local) Student Rights and Responsibilities states that each student

Responsibilities shall be charged with notice and knowledge of the contents and provisions of the rules and regulations concerning student conduct. These rules and regulations are published in the Student Handbook published in conjunction with the College Catalog. All students shall obey the law, show respect for properly constituted authority, and observe correct standards of conduct.

Student Support Services

Disability Services (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. A disability is anything that can interfere with learning, such as a learning disability, psychological challenge, physical illness or injury. Accommodations may include extra time on tests, tests in a distraction reduced environment, volunteer note taker in class, etc.

On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 in the Administration (100) Building or call 940-668-4209. Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209 to arrange for an intake appointment with OSD.

North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112). http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx

Support Services

Counseling and Testing staff offer a variety of services to current and prospective students, such as College 101, placement testing, academic advising and course registration, transfer assistance, and College Success seminars (Time Management, Study Skills, Test Anxiety, Choosing a Major, Learning Style Strategies, Career Exploration), and much

more. http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/CounselingTesting.aspx

Student Success offers academic coaching, tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, free 24/7

online tutoring through Grade Results and assist new students acclimate to college by providing

computer lab services for prospective students. First generation students can also participate in TRIO

which offers specialized support services.

http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices.aspx

Financial Aid offers financial resources for students that qualify, visit the financial aid offices for more

information. http://www.nctc.edu/FInancialAidHome.aspx

Early Alert/CARES

The NCTC Early Alert program has been established to assist students who are at risk of failing or withdrawing from a course. Your instructor may refer you to this program if you are missing assignments, failing tests, excessively absent, or have personal circumstances impacting your academic performance. If submitted as an Early Alert you will be notified via your NCTC e-mail address and then contacted by a Counseling and Testing advisor or counselor to discuss possible strategies for completing your course successfully.

The NCTC CARES (Campus Assessment Response Evaluation Services) Team addresses behavior which may be disruptive, harmful or pose a threat to the health and safety of the NCTC community-such as stalking, harassment, physical or emotional abuse, violent or threatening behavior, or self-harm. As a student, you have the ability to report concerning behavior which could impact your own safety or the safety of another NCTC student. Just click the NCTC CARES Team logo posted on MyNCTC, or send an e-mail to CARESTeam@nctc.edu. As always, if you feel there is an immediate threat to your own safety or welfare (or to another student), please call 911 immediately.

Tobacco Free		NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and
Campus Information		smokeless tobacco on campus property. NCTC is aware that tobacco use influences underage
		students which cumulates unsightly tobacco litter and interferes with assuring clean air for all
		who come to NCTC. NCTC recognizes the health hazards of tobacco use and of exposure to
		second hand smoke. Information on a tobacco cessation program is available for students,
		faculty, staff who wish to stop using tobacco products.
		We would like to "thank you" for your help in making our campuses Tobacco-Free.
		For questions or concerns please contact the Office of Vice President of Student Services at
	(940) 668-4240.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

	Week	Date	Topic and Assignment

1		January 18, 2021	Introductions, Syllabus, Texas Climatic Conditions; Plant Taxonomy & Morphology
2		January 25, 2021	Plant ID – Annuals
			Lecture: Scientific Name Convention, What is a Herbaceous Plant
			Video: Plant Taxonomy, QK 95 .P5483 1984
			Student Topic #1

3		February 1, 2021	Plant ID – Annuals
			Traditional Seedling Production vs. Plug Production
			Scheduling Crops, Scheduling Handout, Plant Log, Sowing Seed
			walk through greenhouses, Greenhouse Structures & Facilities
			Student Topic #2
			Quiz #1
4		February 8, 2021	Plant ID – Annuals

			Bedding Plant Growing media & Irrigation
			Student Topic #3
			Quiz #2
5		February 15, 2021	Plant ID – Bulbs, Corms, Rhizomes, & Tubers
			Bedding Plant Containers & Fertilization, Temperature, Light & Fertilization
			Greenhouse Production /Propagating annuals
			Video: Starting Seeds
			Student Topic #4
			Quiz #3
6		February 22, 2021	Plant ID – Perennials

			Student Topic #5
			Quiz #4
7		March 1, 2021	Plant ID - Perennials

			Student Topic #6
			Quiz #5
8		March 8, 2021	Mid-Term Exam 1
		March 15, 2021	S P R I N G B R E A K
9		March 22, 2021	Plant ID – Perennials
			Divide perennials (daylilies, iris, Shasta daisies, coneflowers, etc.)
			Student Topic #7
			Quiz #6
10		March 29, 2021	Plant ID – Turf
			Video – Lawns in the Landscape, SB 472.45.L39 2004
			Theme Gardens
			Planting Assignment – Theme Garden
			Student Topic #8
			Quiz #7
11		April 5, 2021	Plant ID - Ornamental Grasses

			Student Topic #9
			Quiz #8
12		April 12, 2021	Plant ID - Ornamental Grasses
			Container Gardening/Design Container Gardens
			Student Topic #10
			Quiz #9
13		April 19, 2021

			Student Topic #11
			Quiz #10
14		April 26, 2021	Exam Review
			Student Topic #12
15		May 3, 2021	Exam 2
16		May 10, 2021	Plant ID Spreadsheet

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

INSTRUCTOR:

David Castagno

dcastagno@nctc.edu

COURSE NUMBER AND NAME:

HALT 1303 Herbaceous Plants

SEMESTER AND YEAR:

2021 Spring Semester

I, the undersigned, acknowledge that I have read and understand the policies of this HALT 1303 course syllabus (as stated in the preceding document) and agree to abide by the terms of this syllabus. All terms of this syllabus are subordinate to published NCTC policies and all federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.

______________________________________

Student’s Name—PLEASE PRINT

_________________________________ _______________________

Student’s Signature Date

STUDENT INFORMATION

Name _________________________________________________________________________

College Major __________________________________________________________________

Future Business Plans __________________________________________________________

How did you find out about this class? _____________________________________________

What do you hope to accomplish by taking this course? Please list at least 3 goals.