LN 101 ‑ INTRODUCTION TO LANDSCAPE TECHNOLOGY /
Sample syllabus submitted by Professor Dubik, Spring, 2006                                                 

Course Description: An introduction to the basic concepts in plant growth, morphology, physiology, and anatomy.  Other topics include plant propagation, soils, and plant nutritional requirements.  Guest speakers will present a general survey of the major fields of the industry including landscape establishment and maintenance, nurseries, interior landscapes, lawn establishment and management, arboriculture and landscape design.                                              (2 semester hours)

Required Texts:

Botany for Gardeners ‑ An Introduction and Guide, by Brian Capon, published by Timber Press Inc., 1990 (ISBN 0-88192-258-7) or 2005 (ISBN 0-88192-655-8).

Suggested References:

Secrets of Plant Propagation, by Lewis Hill, by Storey Communications, Inc. 1986.

The Biology of Horticulture, by John E. Preece and Paul E. Read, published John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1993.

Introduction to Botany, James Schooley, Delmar Publishers, 1997.

The Visual Dictionary of Plants, published by Dorling Kindersley Ltd., 1992.

The Botany Coloring Book, by Paul G. Young, Barnes & Noble Book Publishing Co.,      1982.

Botany Illustrated, Janice G. Glimm‑Lacy & Peter B. Kaufman, Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1984.

Soil Science Simplified, by Helmut Kohnke & D. P. Franzmeier, Waveland Press, Inc., 1995.

Plant Propagation Made Easy, by Alan Toogood, Timber Press Inc., 1993.

Plant Propagation, by Philip McMillan Browse, published by Simon & Schuster, 1988.

Course Outcomes:

Upon completion students will be able

Ø  To understand the basic morphology of plant parts, basic physiology of plant processes and basic plant anatomy.

Ø  To differentiate leaf buds from flower buds, lateral buds from apical buds, and to identify which plants have adventitious buds.

Ø  To identify leaf shapes and types and explain the function of leaves.

Ø  To identify common types of infloresences, and identify the major parts of the flower.

Ø  To know what factors influence the successful germination of seeds including temperature, moisture, scarification, and stratification.

Ø  To understand the methods used in four asexual propagation processes.

Ø  To understand the major types of grafting and budding used in the Green Industry.

Ø  To understand and discriminate between the various kinds of horticultural industries.

GRADING:

Lecture Exams - Tentative

        #1   February             20          200 points

        #2   March                  13          200 points

                   Spring Break - NO CLASS March 20 -

        #3   May                      8           200 points

                                Total    -      600 points

     A  =  540 ‑ 600

     B  =  480 ‑ 539

C  =  420 ‑ 479

     D  =  360 ‑ 419

                      F  =      0 - 359

LECTURE EXAMS:

The lecture exams are not cumulative.  Lecture exams will include material from lectures, text, and handouts and may include material from guest speakers.

    MAKEUP TESTS:

Illness:  Arrangements for a makeup of lecture test must be made within 24 hours of missed exam.  Signature of attending physician or nurse required.  Time for the makeup will be at the mutual convenience of instructor and student.  Tests not taken earn 0 points.  If absence from a scheduled exam is necessary for religious observance or for participation in Montgomery College activity, the instructor must receive notification one week prior to the schedule exam or the right to a makeup is forfeited. 

EXTRA CREDIT:

You can earn extra credit points for any exam by giving two hours of service in Landscape Technology Demo Gardens/Nursery.

 AUDIT POLICY:

Notify the instructor if you are taking the class for audit.

 OTHER:

If absence from a scheduled exam is necessary for religious observance or participation in a Montgomery College activity, the instructor must receive notification one week prior to the scheduled exam or the right to a makeup is forfeited.

Classroom Policies

Attendance:

Attendance is expected for each of the classes and required field trips. 

Academic honesty:

Students cheating on lecture or lab exams will receive a failing grade for that exam.

Support services:

Any student who may need an accommodation due to a disability, please make an

appointment to see me during my office hour. A letter from Disability Support Services

(R-CB122; G-SA175; or TP-ST120) authorizing your accommodations will be needed. Any student who may need assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation must identify to the Disability Support Services Office; guidelines for emergency evacuations for individuals with disabilities are found at:   www.montgomerycollege.edu/dss/evacprocedures.htm.

Other resources:

Additional student resources can be found at the Science Learning Center (SLC) on the Germantown campus.  The SLC is located in the SA building, room 202. For hours of operation call 240-567-1987. http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/departments/scilcgt/

Cancellation of classes:

Class cancellation due to extreme weather conditions will be announced on local radio stations like WTOP and WMAL.

COURSE OUTLINE

 I.    INTRODUCTION

A.   Plant Classification, Nomenclature                    Handouts and pages

       And Life Cycles                                                    182‑184 of BFG^*

B.   Plant Hardiness

C.   Native and Invasive Plants

II.    GROWTH                                                                     

A.   Cells and Seeds - Basics and Beginnings       Chapter 1                                BFG

       Modes of Nutrition

       Fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes

B.   Composting                                                         

C    Roots and Shoots. How Plants Mature.             Chapters 2 & 8                        "

                                                                                             Handouts - Allelopathy, and Roots

D.   Plant Morphology, Plant Identification               

E.   The Uptake and Use of Water, Minerals           pg. 137 ‑ 144                          "

   and Light                                                              &  151 ‑ 158

Video - Nutrient Uptake & Plant Movement (QK771.P55)

III.   ORGANIZATION

A. Inside Stems                                                          Chapter 3                                 "

B. Inside Roots and Leaves                                      Chapter 4                                 "                                         

IV.  ADAPTATION

A. Adaptations for Protection                                    Chapter 5                                " 

B. Adaptations to Fulfill Basic Needs                      Chapter 6                                 "

V.  FUNCTIONS                          

A. Control of Growth and Development                   Chapter 7                               " 

B. Fundamentals of Plant Nutrition                              pg. 144 ‑ 149                      "

VI.      REPRODUCTION

A.     From Flowers to Fruit                                           pg. 162 ‑ 182                       "

VII.  PRINCIPLES OF PLANT PROPAGATION                    Handouts 

(Secrets of Plant Propagation – Optional Text)

A.      Types of Plant Propagation

          B.  Materials Used in Propagation and Production

           C.  Seed Propagation

                        a. Scarification

                        b. Stratification

                        c. Seed storage

                        d. Seed provenance

D.  Cutting Propagation

    a. Softwood                                           

b. Semi‑green/hard

                        c. Hardwood

E.   Propagation by Division

F.    Propagation by Layering

                        a.  Simple

                        b.  Air

                        c.  Mound/stool

G.   Propagation  by Grafting and Grafting

                        a.  Splice, Whip-and-Tongue

                        b.  Side graft

                        c.  Cleft and Bridge grafts

                        d.  Double working

                        e.  Budding

1.Chip budding                                                                                                            2. T-budding

H.  Micro-Plant Propagation (Tissue Culture)

           I. Aftercare of Propagated Plants

GUEST SPEAKERS: (Three to four speakers will lecture each semester from the following topics.)

A.      What is involved in Landscape Architecture/Design

B.        "   "      "    "        Landscape Management 

C.        "   "      "    "        Arboriculture

D.        "   "      "    "        Turfgrass Management

^*BFG = Botany For Gardeners

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