Turfgrass Establishment and Management Laboratory

Horticulture/Agronomy 351

Fall 2011

Class meeting times/places:

Monday 2:10-5:00 PM

Room 160 Horticulture Hall

Note: Some laboratories will include field trips around campus and to off campus sites. Please consider the weather when deciding on appropriate attire for field trips.

Text:

Hort. 351L Courseworks. Christians, Nick. Turfgrass Establishment and Management Laboratory.

Course description:

1 credit; Prerequisites: Credit or enrollment in Hort/Agron 351.

This course introduces students to turfgrasses and the principles and practices of turfgrass establishment and management. Students learn vegetative turfgrass and seed identification, weed, insect and disease identification, turfgrass fertilizers, and basic mathematical calculations required for employment in the turfgrass industry. This course also emphasizes written communication skills.

Learning objectives:

Students will gain an appreciation of the wide array of cultivated turfgrass species and discuss their commercial use. Students will explore common cool- and warm-season turfgrasses and seeds, weeds, insects, and disease species through identification based upon the morphological characteristics and biology.

Attendance:

Students are expected to be present and on time for every class. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain and be accountable for the material covered in class during any absence.

Academic dishonesty:

Iowa State University has an explicit policy on academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty occurs when a student uses or attempts to use unauthorized information in an assignment, the taking of an exam, or knowingly assists another student in such acts or plagiarism. Students found violating this policy face expulsion, suspension, conduct probation, or reprimand according to the policy of ISU (http://www.lib.iastate.edu/commons/resources/facultyguides/plagiarism/dishonest.html).

Students with disabilities:

Students with documented disabilities that negatively affect their performance and/or ability to participate fully are encouraged to speak to the instructor so appropriate accommodations can be made. Disability Resources, located in the Student Services Building, assists students by reviewing documentation and locating necessary resources for students (http://www.dso.iastate.edu/dr/).

Turfgrass Establishment and Management Laboratory

Horticulture/Agronomy 351L

Fall Semester — 2011

Meeting Times:

Monday Lab

2:10 to5:00 pm

160 Horticulture Hall

August	22	Morphology and Identification of Grasses
Aug/September	29	Identification of Grasses: Cool-season
September	5	Labor Day – No Lab Scheduled
September	12	†Identification of Grasses: Warm-season
September	19	Field Trip to Research Station
September	26	†Weed Identification - Field Trip on Campus
October	3	Fertilizer/Pesticide Calculations
October	10	Field Trip to Research Station: Herbicide Sprayer Calibration
October	17	Turfgrass Irrigation: Field Trip to Veenker Golf Course
October	24	† Turfgrass Seed Laboratory
October	31	No lab scheduled-Review weed species
November	7	†Turfgrass Insects: Life Cycle & Identification
November	14	Turfgrass Disease Laboratory
November	21	Thanksgiving Break - No Lab
November	8	Review for Final Exam
December	5	Laboratory Final Exam

† Denotes a scheduled quiz.

Quiz Schedule

QUIZ #	DATE		TOPICS COVERED
Quiz 1	September	12	Cool-season grasses
Quiz 2	September	26	Cool and Warm-season grasses
Quiz 3	October	3	Cool and Warm-season grasses, Weeds
Quiz 4	October	24	Math Calculations
Quiz 5	November	7	Cool and Warm-season grasses, Weeds, Insects & Seeds, Fertilizers and Calculations, Diseases
Lab Final	December	5	Cool- and Warm-season grasses, Weeds, Insects & Seeds, Fertilizers, Calculations, and Diseases

351 Laboratory Grading System

Assignment Total Points

Quizzes (5 at 20 points each) 80 (Your lowest quiz score will be dropped)

Calibration Report 15

Seed Laboratory 20

Essay 25

Participation 10

Final 50

Total 200

Grading Scale: (This scale is subject to change at the teacher’s discretion during the semester. The grading scale may be adjusted to lower numerical grades if warranted, but will not be raised)

A (93% and above) Student demonstrates a superior grasp of the subject matter and an ability to

A- (90 – 92%) create and evaluate material in a critical and constructive manner.

B+ (86 – 89%) Student demonstrates a thorough grasp of the subject matter and an ability to

B (83 – 85%) analyze and apply material in a critical and constructive manner.

B- (80 – 82%)

C+ (76 – 79%) Student demonstrates a general grasp of the subject matter and an ability to

C (73 – 75%) understand and remember material in a critical and constructive manner.

C- (70 – 72%)

D+ (66 – 67%) Student demonstrates a minimal grasp of the subject matter, but the ability to

D (63 – 65%) understand and remember material in a constructive manner is inadequate.

D- (60 – 62%)

F (50 – 59%) Student fails to demonstrate a minimal grasp of the subject matter, and fails to understand and remember material in a constructive manner.