NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
Horticulture Program
HALT 1307 Plant Diseases
Fall 2019 Class Syllabus
Course Name & Number
Plant Diseases
HALT 1307-401 Semester & Year
Fall 2018
Semester Credit Hours
3
Lecture Hours 38
Lab Hours 12
Class Times Thursdays, 2:00-5:20 p.m.
Class Location
Corinth 310
Course Description (NCTC Catalog)
HALT 1307 Plant Diseases 3 credit hours
38 Lecture hours + 12 Laboratory hours
32 Lecture hours + 32 Laboratory hours
An overview of the factors causing plant diseases. Topics include physiological disorders, fungi, bacteria, viruses, mollicutes, nematodes, parasitic plants, nonpathogenic factors, and control methods.
Course Prerequisite(s): None
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual /NCTC Catalog) At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
1. Differentiate between pathogenic and non-pathogenic diseases
2. Identify common plant disease symptoms
3. Recommend disease control measures
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Name of Instructor: Stephen Nystrand
Campus/Office Location: Corinth
Telephone Number: (608)772-2392 (texts welcome)
E-mail Address: snystrand@nctc.edu
Course Type
Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core) Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course
WECM Course
INSTRUCTOR OFFICE HOURS
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
1:30pm-2:30:pm Corinth Campus
I am available by appointment. I work full time but can schedule a time to meet at the Corinth Campus, with reasonable notice, within or outside these office hours. Please call, text, or email me to find a time that works for your schedule.
Last Day to Withdraw
November 8, 2017
Required or Recommended Course Materials
As instructed in class or in Canvas: There is no textbook for the course, but readings and videos will be posted on Canvas under Modules.
Grading Policy and Procedures
Assignment Point Values
100 points: Participation – Attend every class, bring class assignment
100 points: Weekly Disease Journal
100 points: Field trips & Reports (2 @ 50 points)
300 points: Exams (3@100 points)
200 points: Disease Report
800 points TOTAL
Grading Scale:
716 - 800 points = A 636 – 716 points = B 556 – 636 points = C 476 – 556 points = D <476 points = F
Grade Breakdown:
89.5-100% = A 79.5-89.49%=B 69.5-79.49%=C 59.5-69.49%=D Less than 59.5% = F
Course Evaluation Descriptions: Participation
Attend class and field trips and participate in discussions. Bring a diseased plant or plant part when requested. You will learn only if you attend and participate. There is no such thing as teaching, only learning. If you want to learn, make yourself available to the teaching and class discussion and participate.
• Attend all classes – 100 points
• 10 points deducted for every class missed
Field trips
We will be taking two fieldtrips throughout the semester. Students are expected to attend these fieldtrips and show up on time for departure; if a student is not in the van for departure at the time class STARTS, the instructor will not wait. If a student misses a fieldtrip, regardless of excuse, the points assigned for that fieldtrip will not be earned, and a zero will be recorded in the grade book for that fieldtrip. There are no makeup fieldtrips. After each fieldtrip, students will submit fieldtrip reports covering the information that was presented during the session.
• Each field trip and report – 50 points
Lecture Exams
The lecture exams will include all notes, discussions from lecture, fieldtrips, labs, videos, and reading assignments. Lecture tests are cumulative in that they will draw upon concepts previously addressed in class, but the emphasis will be on material learned since the previous test. Exam questions will be multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, and/or essay. If an exam is missed, a zero will be recorded in the grade book. There are no make-up exams.
• Each exam – 100 points
Disease Report
Each student will be required to research a local plant disease that they discover. The disease must be identified, photographed, and researched. Report must include the findings of the field work and control/remediation recommendations.
• Disease report – 200 points
Student Handbook
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.
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) 668-4321. Alternative students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.
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 are detailed in the Student Handbook.
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
Name of Chair:
Dr. Lisa Bellows, Department Chair, Science Division
Campus/Office Location: Gainesville – Science Building
Telephone Number: (940) 668-7731x4346
E-mail Address: lbellows@nctc.edu
Name of Dean: Sara Flushe, Dean of Instruction
Campus/Office Location: Gainesville – Instruction Building
Telephone Number: (940) 668-3351
E-mail Address: sflusche@nctc.edu
Evaluation of Class and Instructor
I am open to receiving your comments, either positive or negative. These help me to enrich this course and improve as a teacher. Please feel free to see me, email me at snystrand@nctc.edu, or text or call me at 608-772-2392.
Attendance and Tardiness Policy General NCTC 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 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)
Course-Specific Attendance Policy:
For every three absences, the student’s final grade will drop by one letter.
Three instances of tardiness (entering class late) will constitute one absence. Students who come late and leave early on the same class day will be counted absent.
Students arriving more than 15 minutes late for class will be counted as absent.
Students who come to class late need to make sure that they are counted as present on the roster; see instructor after class to have the roster updated. If the student fails to have the roster updated, and there is no record of attendance, the student will be counted as absent.
If a student does not participate in online activities for a consecutive three weeks, the student might be dropped from the CANVAS roster (blocked in CANVAS) and might be dropped from the class.
The professor will not provide class notes to those who are absent. Students are responsible for obtaining the missed materials and notes from a classmate, not from the professor.
Other Policies and Pertinent Information Emailing the Instructor
After the first week of class, all correspondence with the instructor should be done through the Canvas course mail system rather than through the NCTC email system.
Other Policies and Pertinent Information, Continued Missing Assignments
Make-up assignments may be allowed for reduced points on a case-by-case basis, with instructor consent. Please contact the instructor with questions.
Disruptive Behavior
A student who engages in any behavior or language in the classroom that intentionally or unintentionally disrupts the learning process will be asked to leave the class and may be reported to the Vice President of Instruction for disciplinary action.
Grade and Attendance Records
All grades and attendance/tardy records will be posted in Canvas and can be accessed at any time during the semester.
Cell Phones, Texting, and Outside Communication
Please silence all cell phones before class. In cases of emergencies, you may answer your phone or a text, but please leave the classroom/lab environment to do so. Texting and outside communication in the classroom and lab environments is prohibited.
Missing Classes
Each class is assigned participation points that students earn as a reward while attending. Regardless of excuse, if a student misses a class, participation rewards for that lab cannot be earned, as the opportunity to earn them is during the scheduled class. There are NO MAKE-UP classes.
Late Work
Late work will not be accepted for any reason. Computer problems are not an excuse for late work. All assignments not turned in by the due date will be given a zero in the grade book.
Tobacco Products
Please do not bring tobacco products or any containers that might have tobacco byproducts in them into the classroom, the gardens, or the Gainesville Greenhouse. See Tobacco Free Campus Information Policy. If you do use tobacco products, always wash your hands with soap and water before entering the greenhouse (Gainesville) or touching any plants. This is especially relevant for the Plant Diseases course!
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.
Notes
It is the student’s responsibility to take notes during class, lab, and fieldtrips. Bring a notebook that you can carry around and be able to access quickly. The instructor will not remind students to take notes.
Other Policies and Pertinent Information, Continued Web Browser
Take note that it is best to use FireFox or Chrome as your web browser when using CANVAS.
Extra Credit
There may be extra credit opportunities, but none are determined at this point.
Curving Exams and Final Grades
Exams, assignments, and final grades are NOT curved in this course.
Lab Attire, Physical Nature of Activities, and Weather Factors
Be prepared to work in the heat, cold, and wet weather, if labs are scheduled for outdoors. If the weather warrants a change in lab schedule, students will be notified by the instructor via an announcement or a note posted on the classroom door. Check announcements before coming to class.
Be sure to dress according to the expected weather and appropriately for the scheduled lab activities. Wear sturdy shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Be aware that you may be on your knees, bending, digging, etc. You may also need sunscreen, bug spray, and a hat. Also, be sure to come prepared with water to drink. There are no vending machines or water fountains near the gardens.
This class is more physically demanding than other college classes. Some of the lab activities are strenuous in nature. Please come prepared to carry heavy loads, to dig, to walk lengthy distances on occasion, to kneel, to use hand saws, etc. This is not a lab where we consistently sit in a classroom.
Receiving Communication From Your Instructor
Students can receive instructor announcements via texts and/or to their personal email accounts. To activate this setting, go to your Canvas profile, and enter in how you would like to receive communications.
Tobacco Free Campus Information
NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and 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.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is caused by a protozoan (one-celled) parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii. Dangers to an unborn child from toxoplasmosis include birth defects and fetal death. The disease can be passed to people through contact with cat feces, and exposure is possible through contact with contaminated soil. Pregnant women should wear gloves when gardening or working in soil or sand, as it may have been used by neighborhood cats and contain cat feces. Any foodstuffs from the garden (fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc.) should be washed thoroughly before ingestion.
Tentative Calendar
Please note that even on days with no lab activity scheduled, we are likely to spend some class time outdoors—dress appropriately.
Date Topic
Week 1
August 29 Semester Set-up: Introductions, Syllabus, Canvas Overview
Lecture: Introduction to disease and environment, definitions
Lab: Walk-through of Corinth campus grounds
Assignment: Disease journal #1
Week 2
September 5
Disease Journal #1 due
Lecture: The “Disease Triangle,” diagnosis, case studies
Take Note: September 9 Official Date of Record
Week 3
September 12
Disease Journal #2 due
Field Trip I
Week 4
September 19
Field Trip Report due
Disease Journal #3 due
Lecture: Abiotic stresses; disease look-alikes
Week 5
September 26
Exam I
Lecture: Fungi and fungus-like organisms
Week 6
October 3
Disease Journal #4 due
Lecture: Fungi and fungus-like organisms, part 2
Week 7
October 10
Disease Journal #5 due
Lecture: Bacteria, viruses, and other pathogenic organisms; disease vectors
Week 8
October 17
Disease Journal #6 due
Lecture: Insects, mites, and relatives
Week 9
October 24
Exam II
Lecture: Disease prevention; environmental modification
Week 10
October 31
Disease Journal #7 due
Field Trip II
Take Note: November 1 Last day to withdraw with a “W”
Week 11
November 7
Field Trip Report due
Disease Journal #8 due
Lecture: Pathogen life cycles and movement; integrated pest management (IPM)
Week 12
November 14
Disease Journal #9 due
Lecture: Environment and prevention, part 2: Tree health
Lab: Pruning, Corinth campus
Week 13
November 21
Disease Journal #10 due
Lecture: Disease resistance: Genetics, crop improvement
Take Note: Week 14
November 28
College closed November 27-30 for Thanksgiving holiday
Week 15
December 5
Disease report due
Lecture: Chemicals, licenses, and the law
Exam review and discussion
Week 16
December 12
Exam III (In-class)
December 14 Term ends
NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
Horticulture Program
INSTRUCTOR:
Stephen Nystrand
Office:
Telephone: (608) 772-2392
COURSE NUMBER AND NAME:
HALT 1307 Plant Diseases
SEMESTER AND YEAR:
2019 Fall Semester
I, the undersigned, acknowledge that I have read and understand the policies of this HALT 1372 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.
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Student’s Name—PLEASE PRINT
______________________________________ ________________________
Student’s Signature Date
STUDENT INFORMATION
Name _________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address (Include City and Zip)
______________________________________________________________________
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Home Telephone ________________________________________________________
Cell Telephone _________________________________________________________
Email Address __________________________________________________________
College Major __________________________________________________________
Occupation ____________________________________________________________
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.
1.
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Emergency Contact Information for Fieldtrip Forms
Name of Contact______________________________________________________
Emergency Contact Phone number (DIFFERENT FROM YOUR OWN!)
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