Syllabus

 

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Title: Woody Plants

Course Prefix & Number: HALT 1331

Section Number: 0400

Semester/Year: Fall 2020

Semester Credit Hours: 3

Lecture Hours: 32

Lab Hours: 32

Course Description (NCTC Catalog):

Study of woody plant materials used in the horticulture industry. Topics include identification, characteristics, adaptation, cultural requirements, pest and disease problems, and use in the landscape. 32 lecture hours + 32 laboratory hours.

Course Prerequisite(s): n/a

Required or Recommended Course Materials:

*Huddleston, Steve & Pamela Crawford. 2009. Easy Gardens for North Central Texas. Color Garden Publishing, Canton, GA. ISBN: 9780971222083.

* Texas Nursery and Landscape Association. Best of Texas Landscape Guide, 2nd Ed. Order online: www.tnlaonline.org.

* Michael Arnold, Landscape Plants for Texas & Environs, Stipes Pub. Co. ISBN: 9781588747464.

* Neil Sperry, Neil Sperry’s Lone Star Gardening, Easy Guides, ISBN: 9780991620708

* Howard Garrett, Plants of the Metroplex, Univ. of Texas Press, ISBN: 9780292728158

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor: Joe Feather

Campus/Office Location: Online

Telephone Number:

E-mail Address: jfeather@nctc.edu

OFFICE HOURS

By Appointment Only - Online

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:

1 - Identify woody plants in various growth stages

2 - Describe morphological, anatomical, or other botanical features

3 - Explain cultural requirements of woody plants

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

5 Participation Articles 20 pts. ea.

1 Plant Presentation 100 pts.

2 Exams 100 pts. ea.

10 Plant Identification Quizzes 20 pts. ea.

2 Planting Schemes 50 pts. ea.

Total 700 Points

Grading Scale:

630-700 points = A

560-629 points = B

490-559 points = C

420-489 points = D

< 420 points = F


 

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

1 Introduction to Woody Plants

2 Plant Taxonomy & Morphology

3 Fundamentals of Pruning / Removal, and Fertilization

Plant ID 1

4 Propagation

Plant ID 2

5 Landscape Layout Principles / Use in the landscape

Plant ID 3

6 Preparation and Planting Landscape Plants / Cultural Requirements

Plant ID 4

7 Combining Plant Material in the Landscape

Plant ID 5

8 Exam I

Plant ID 6

9 Adaptation of Plants to Their Environment

Plant ID 7

10 Tree Seed Stratification

Plant ID 8

11 Xeriscape / Water Conservation Landscaping

Plant ID 9

12 Plant Pest Identification / Solutions

Plant ID 10

13 Plant Disease identification / Solutions

Assignment

14 Plant Presentations

Assignment

15 Question & Answer Topics

WebEx

16 Final Exam II

Exam

FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE – FALL 2020 LINK: http://www.nctc.edu/current-students/final-exam-schedule.html

Finals for fall online/hybrid/synchronous classes will be held ONLINE during the week of Dec. 7 through Dec. 12 (16-week courses) as determined by the course instructor. Consult the course syllabus for specific date.

ATTENDANCE POLICY Students will be counted as present for the week when the weekly quiz/assignment has been submitted. If the quiz is not submitted for the week, students will be counted absent. No submissions will be accepted past the due date.

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 2, 2020.

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.

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) Critical Thinking Communication Empirical and Quantitative

Teamwork Personal Responsibility Social Responsibility

COURSE TYPE Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core) Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course WECM Course

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online. NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE STUDENT HANDBOOK 2020-2021

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:

• Honesty in completing assignments is essential. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other kind of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will result in appropriate sanctions that may include failing an assignment or exam, failing the class, or suspension or expulsion. A report WILL be filed with the college.

• If cheating or collusion is suspected, a conference between the suspected parties, the instructor, and the appropriate dean will be scheduled, and notation made in the student’s file.

Syllabi statement regarding potential 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.

Syllabi Statement Regarding 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. Considering 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 must 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 this period, faculty with face-to-face meetings will establish assigned seating/workstations 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

Student Success Center

The Student Success Center is designed to help all students at NCTC develop tools to achieve their academic goals. The center links students to FREE tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, and free online tutoring. The program helps students acclimate to college by providing free interactive online workshops. For more information, please visit your nearest Student Success Center.

Name of Chair/Coordinator: Dr. Lisa Bellows

Office Location: Gainesville Science Building Office 408

Telephone Number: 940-668-7731 ext. 4346

E-mail Address: lbellows@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean: Sara Flusche

Office Location: Gainesville

Telephone Number: 940-668-3351

E-mail Address: sflusche@nctc.edu

Student Success offers academic coaching, tutoring, including a Writing Center, and a Math Lab to assist new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students. http://www.nctc.edu/student-services/student-success/tutoring/index.html

First generation students can also participate in TRIO which offers specialized services.

http://www.nctc.edu/student-services/trio-student-support-services.html

Completion Center

The NCTC Completion Center is a comprehensive student engagement program that increases retention and completion rates of first-time, low income students. Services include:

Success coaching to address students’ academic and non-academic challenges and issues; Success Seminars, and a centralized career readiness and job placement program.

http://www.nctc.edu/student-services/completion-center/index.html

Career Services Center

The NCTC Career Services Center is the place you can go for educational and career planning. Services include: Career/Degree Exploration, Job Search Tools and Resources, Resume and Professional Portfolio Development, Interview Skills and Preparation. Our Career Advisors partner with you in making your educational journey an efficient process towards a rewarding career. http://www.nctc.edu/career-services/index.html

Counseling and Advising

Support Services, Counseling and Advising 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/counseling-advising/index.html

Testing Service Center

The mission of NCTC Testing Services is to provide high-quality testing services that adhere to the professional standards and guidelines to meet the needs of students, faculty, and community members. http://www.nctc.edu/testing-center/index.html

Early Alert and CARES

The NCTC Early Alert program assists students who are at risk of failing or withdrawing from a course. Faculty and staff may refer students through the Early Alert process at any point in the semester in an effort to provide appropriate intervention and access to support services. Examples of behaviors that could prompt an Early Alert referral could be missing assignments, failing tests, excessive absences, or personal circumstances impacting academic performance. A student submitted as an Early Alert will be contacted by an academic advisor or success coach through text, phone, and/or via their NCTC e-mail address to discuss any current challenges as well as helpful resources and success strategies-we want our students to finish strong and know that education is a partnership!

The NCTC CARES (Campus Assessment Response Evaluation Services) Team is concerned not only about our students' academic success, but also their emotional and physical well-being. The CARES Team promotes a safe learning environment for students, faculty, and staff and is committed to taking a proactive approach in helping our students succeed by addressing the mental, emotional or psychological health and safety of the NCTC community. As a student, you have the ability to report concerning behavior which could impact your own safety or the safety of another NCTC student, such as stalking, harassment, physical or emotional abuse, violent or threatening behavior, or self-harm. Visit the NCTC CARES site to also locate campus and community resources, or email counseling@nctc.edu to get in touch with a member of the CARES Team directly. As always, if you feel there is an immediate threat to your own safety or welfare (or to another student), please call 911 immediately.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid offers financial resources for students that qualify, visit the financial aid offices for more information. http://www.nctc.edu/financial-aid/index.html

Student Success

At NCTC, student success is progress towards collegiate goals, reached in an affordable and timely manner, under professional guidance, empowering students to serve skillfully in their chosen role within their community

Equity

NCTC defines equity as encompassing the practice of acknowledging individual differences and systemic disparities when developing new programs and resources for our campus community, which may sometimes challenge our own beliefs and assumptions, in order to ensure balanced educational opportunities toward completion.

Affinity Groups

Staff and faculty representing the Employee Resource Groups (ERG’s), along with academic advisors, counselors, and success coaches, serve as mentors for NCTC’s student-centered Affinity Groups.

An Affinity Group is a population of students who have specific needs, barriers or systems they are needing to navigate not only within college, but within life. Providing mentorship, support and resources for identified Affinity Groups such as Black/African American students, veterans and active military, single parents, students with disabilities, adult learners, Latinx, LGBTQ+ and students who have experienced foster care and/or homelessness, enables us to make more impactful, meaningful connections with students who are in dire need of equity and understanding.

Tips for Online Student Success

Pay attention to detail—Read all course information carefully! Print a copy of the course syllabus. Make a special note of all assignments and due dates. Pay careful attention to submission requirements, like which dropbox to use for submission. Login to Canvas frequently to check course communications.

Demonstrate strong self-motivation Your online course will require as much time as a face-to-face course. Set goals and define a timeline for course participation. Commit your time and energy to staying up to date with coursework. It is difficult to catch up once you fall behind. Avoid distractions when you are working on your online course Find a quiet place to focus on your work. Make sure that you meet the technical requirements for online courses Learn more about technology requirements for online and hybrid courses at NCTC. Speak up and let your instructor know if you are having problems Early resolution of academic and /or technical difficulties impacts course success or failure. Check the course syllabus for the instructor's contact information. Do not procrastinate on assignments Technical difficulties could prevent last minute completion. Back up all assignments and course communications, either digitally or in a hard copy.

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