Hort 446 - Landscape Contracting and Estimating

Fall 2008

Instructor Dr. Ann Marie VanDerZanden
Horticulture Hall 141,
Office phone: 294-5075
Email:
Office Hours: Tuesday 10:30-11:30 or by appointment
Location Horticulture Hall 138
Time Wednesday 8:00-9:50
Text No required text. Reading materials will be distributed in class and/or available online.

Student Learning Objectives

Specific learning objectives for this course are to:

Professional Development

As professionals we are required to be on time, work in teams, and interact with others, both within the work environment and outside, in positive and constructive ways. Developing and practicing these skills of professionalism in HORT 446 will enhance your learning and performance in this class and in your career. Because of this importance to your current and future success, appropriate professional behaviors and work are expected for all lecture and laboratory sessions.

Student behavior and interactions affect your learning as well as other students' learning. My expectations for you, as a student in HORT 446, include:

As a student in HORT 446 this is what you can expect from me as your instructor:

Course Procedure

The course will consist of lectures, in-class discussion and writing assignments, and small group projects. You are expected to be an active participant in this class.

Student Evaluation

Points
Learning Activities (aka Quizzes)      2 x 50 each 100
Final Learning Activity (aka Final Exam) 100
Calculations
Landscape Calculation Problem Set 1 20
Final Bid Project 100
Writing Assignments
Board of Directors Memo and Report 20
Case Studies 20
In-Class Exercises 20
Total 380

Miscellaneous

Assignments

Detailed information will be given for each assignment when it is assigned. All assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the assigned due date. A 10% penalty will be deducted from the assignment for each day it is late, including weekends and holidays. (i.e. If the assignment isn't turned in at the beginning (when class starts) of the class period on the due date, 10% will be deducted.)

ADA policy

If you have a documented disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course, please make arrangements to meet with me soon. Please request that a Disability Resources staff send a SAAR form verifying your disability and specifying the accommodation you will need. The Disability Resources (DR) office is located on the main floor of the Student Services Building, Room 1076 or call 515-294-6624.

Grading Policy

Each student's grade will be based on a total of 380 points for the semester. The grading scale is provided below:

Total Points Grade Total Points Grade
380-353 A 288-277 C
352-342 A- 276-266 C-
341-327 B+ 265-251 D+
326-315 B 250-240 D
314-304 B- 239-228 D-
303-289 C+ Below 228 F


Week Date
Tentative Lecture Schedule
Topic
*Due Dates
1
8/27 Course overview
2
9/3 Construction Documents; Specification Manual (a.k.a. Spec Manual)
3
9/10 Spec Manual
4
9/17 Overview of Bidding and Estimating
5
9/24 Jim Mason- Country Landscapes Board of Directors memo
6
10/1
***** Learning Activity *****
+ Bidding Project Walk Through
7
10/8 Kirkland Plaza Bid Review
8
10/15 Bidding and Estimating Strategies Problem Set 1
9
10/22 Dan Canova- Perennial Gardens
10
10/29 Estimating using DynaScape
11
11/5
***** Learning Activity *****
+ Work Session
12
11/12 Tom Hughes: Integrated Business Model
13
11/19 H2B Labor Case Study
14
11/26
Thanksgiving Break
15
12/3 TBA
16
12/10 Bid Project Presentations; Final Exam Review Bid Project
Finals Week
Final Learning Activity:
Monday, December 15th 8:00-9:30 am