NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Course title: NATURALISTIC HORTICULTURE
Course prefix, number, and section number: HALT 1372.0100
Semester/Year of course: FA/2025
Semester start and end dates: August 25, 2025-December 12, 2025
Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid): Face to Face
Class and Lab meeting location, days, and times: Gainesville, Room 1604, Mondays, 1-4:20 p.m.
Semester credit hours: 3 (32 Lecture Hours + 32 Laboratory Hours)
Course description:
An organic approach to plant production, pest management, soil fertility, and plant health. Emphasis on sustainability, xeriscaping and landscaping using native plants as well as creating wildlife landscapes.
Course prerequisites:
None
Recommended course materials:
(Recommended)
Rodale’s Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening
Author: Bradley
Publisher: Rodale Press, Inc.
ISBN: 978-1594869174
(Recommended)
Organic Gardener’s Handbook of Natural Pest & Disease
Author: Bradley
Publisher: Rodale Press, Inc.
ISBN: 978-1605296777
Name of instructor: Ashley Hartman
Office location: Gainesville, AGC 1608
Telephone number: (940) 668-7731 x4488
E-mail address: ahartman@nctc.edu
Office hours for students: Mondays, 4:30-5 p.m., Tuesdays, 11-5 p.m., Wednesdays, 3:10-4:10 p.m., Thursdays 1-3:30 p.m.
SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER
The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.
SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
List of graded assignments:
Exams (2 @ 100 pts.) 200 pts.
Fieldtrips 100 pts.
Lab Projects 400 pts.
Participation 100 pts.
Total Possible Points 800 pts.
Final grade scale:
716-800 points = A
636-715 points = B
556-635 points = C
476-555 points = D
Fewer than 476 points = F
Late work policy:
Late work will not be accepted under any circumstances. Any assignments not submitted by the due date in Canvas will receive a zero in the grade book. This includes exams, assignments, papers, quizzes, discussions, and other tasks, which will not be reopened for any reason any reason (except in the case of a documented and validated excused absence). Technical issues, such as computer or technology problems, are not valid excuses for late submissions. To avoid these situations, students should manage their time effectively, prepare for potential technical difficulties, and submit work early. Assignments sent via email, whether before or after the deadline, will not be accepted. Given that students typically have a week to complete most tasks, extensions are rarely granted, even with an excused absence. Additionally, please note that Finals Week has fewer days for submissions.
SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.
COURSE POLICIES
Syllabus Addendum
This is the BASIC SYLLABUS, required for online publishing, and it does not contain all the course policies. Additional information and course policies are outlined in the Syllabus Addendum, located in Canvas under the Syllabus tab.
Academic Integrity Policy:
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:
1. Receiving an F on a specific assignment or in the course.
2. Being reported to the Chair/Dean for disciplinary action.
Attendance Policy:
Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered. Attendance in an online course is measured by submitted work. All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or
emergencies. It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval by the faculty member. Approved college sponsored activities are also excused absences. The instructor is responsible for judging the validity of any reason given for an 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)
Withdrawal Policy:
A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.
Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is: November 3, 2025.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate and apply sustainable horticulture techniques and principles.
- Explain the benefits of biodiversity in the garden.
- Produce and maintain healthy soils.
Core Objectives:
WECM Course
COLLEGE POLICIES
ADA STATEMENT
NCTC will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities to arrange appropriate accommodations. See the OSD Syllabus Addendum.
AI STATEMENT
Absent a clear statement from a course instructor, use of or consultation with generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or other similar technologies shall be treated analogously to assistance from another person, agency, or entity. In particular, using generative AI tools to substantially complete an assignment or exam is not permitted. Students should acknowledge the use of generative AI (other than incidental use) and default to disclosing such assistance when in doubt.
When students use generative AI to replace the rigorous demands of personal engagement with their coursework, it runs counter to the educational mission of the college and undermines the heart of education itself. Artificial Intelligence, large language models, and other such technologies hold promise for deploying knowledge in service to others and accelerating the discovery of new knowledge. However, such technology poses new challenges to pedagogy and to integrity. Within the context of the teaching mission of the college and consistent with the Student Code of Conduct, the authority to define the appropriate use, study, and deployment of these technologies rests with the faculty.
Individual course instructors, in coordination with their divisions, set policies regulating the use of generative AI tools in their courses, including allowing or disallowing some or all uses of such tools. Course instructors will set such policies in their course syllabi and clearly communicate such policies to students. Students who are unsure of policies regarding generative AI tools are encouraged to ask their instructors for clarification.
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook.
STUDENT SERVICES
NCTC provides a multitude of services and resources to support students. See the Student Services Syllabus Addendum for a listing of those departments and links to their sites.
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
The student should contact the instructor to deal with any questions, concerns, or complaints specific to the class. If the student and faculty are not able to resolve the issue, the student may contact the chair or coordinator of the division. If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may proceed to contact the instructional dean.
Name of Chair/Coordinator: Danelle Wolf
Office location: Gainesville Campus, 1600 Building
Telephone number: 940-668-7731 Ext. 4423
E-mail address: dwolf@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean: Debbie Huffman
Office location: Gainesville Campus, 2100 Building, Room 2106
Telephone number: 940-668-3357
E-mail address: dhuffman@nctc.edu