NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:	Landscape Computer Design
Course Prefix & Number:		HALT 1353	Section Number:	401	Semester/Year:	Fall 2018
Semester Credit Hours:		3	Lecture Hours:	32	Lab Hours:	32
Course Description (NCTC Catalog): A course in computer-aided landscape design. Emphasis on the application of design concepts and techniques using software.
Course Prerequisite(s): Basic computer skills required. HALT 1422 (Landscape Design).
Required or Recommended Course Materials: Dynascape Design Student Version

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	David Castagno
Campus/Office Location:	By appointment
Telephone Number:	By appointment
E-mail Address:	dcastagno@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
			5-6pm by apt.
			9:20-10:20pm by apt.

 

 

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.    Design landscape plans using computer software programs.
	2.    Print a report of all hardscape and softscape materials used in the design.

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Point Values
1	Written Exam	25
2	Proficiency Test 1 - Draw Base Plan	75
3	Proficiency Test 2 - Draw Landscape Design, Label, Print Materials List	125
4	Proficiency Test 3 - Draw Base and Landscape Design, Label, Print Materials List	200
5	Proficiency Test 4 - Render Design and Print	75

 

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

Written Exam	9/13/18	25 points
Proficiency Test 1	9/27/18	75 points
Proficiency Test 2	10/18/18	125 points
Proficiency Test 3	11/29/18	200 points
Proficiency Test 4	12/13/18	75 points

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 8, 2018.

 

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)

Class Specific Attendance Policy:

For every three absences, the student’s final grade will drop by one letter. 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.

Three instances of tardiness (entering class late), will constitute one absence.

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.

 

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.

o        WECM Course

 

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.

 

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)]”. 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair/Coordinator:	Dr. Lisa Bellows
Office Location:	Gainesville
Telephone Number:	940-668-7731 ext 4346
E-mail Address:	lbellows@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean:	Sara Flushe
Office Location:	Gainesville
Telephone Number:	(940) 668-3351
E-mail Address:	sflusche@nctc.edu

 

Handouts:

Lecture handouts will be provided for you on CANVAS and can be printed to supplement your learning experience.

 

Cell Phones:

Please silence all cell phones before class. In cases of emergencies, you may answer your phone, but please leave the classroom to do so.

 

Texting and Outside Communication :

Texting and outside communication during class is prohibited.

 

Late Work:

Late work will not be accepted for any reason. If you cannot make it to the class in which the assignment is due, you must bring the assignment to me early or send it by someone else prior to or during the class.

 

Missing Exams:

If you are going to miss a test, I must be notified 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 within 24 hours. If a lecture test is missed without prior notification or a valid excuse, an automatic zero will be assigned.

 

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 Dean of Students for disciplinary action.

 

Web Browser:

Take note that it is best to use FireFox or Chrome as your web browser when using CANVAS.

 

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 dcastagno@nctc.edu, or send me a note in the mail to the following address: NCTC, ATTN: David Castagno, 1525 West California Street, Gainesville, TX 76240

 

NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco on campus property. 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.  For questions or concerns please contact the Office of Vice President of Student Services at (940) 668-4240.