LN  204 Landscape Construction Methods and Estimating
Sample syllabus submitted by Professor Anthony, Summer 2005

Course Description: This course is designed to provide an overview of landscape construction detail and design and its importance and value for successful implementation of landscape planning. Course content includes design and site factors, regulations, and conventions, construction features and materials, design development, wood and masonry construction, and cost estimating.

Required Text: Landscape Construction, by David Sauter, Delmar Thomson  Publishing, Albany, NY 12212 

Required equipment: work gloves, work clothes, work boots, safety glasses.

Course Objectives

Students will learn:

To read and understand a landscape plan

To do adequate and accurate site analysis

To construct the various hardscape elements included in the plan

To do cost analysis and then be able to write a final bid proposal on a given project 

GRADING

There will be one exam given at the end of the term on July 18^th .  The final exam will be cumulative consisting of material covered in lecture and lab. Your class attendance and final exam score will determine your grade. You must participate in lab to get full points for attendance. Your final grade will be determined according to the following point schedule:

Class Attendance    June 8^th  - July 18^th          100

Final Exam              July 18^th                            200

Saturday Lab           TBA                                   50

A = 90% of 250     C = 70% of 250           F = 50% of 250

B = 80% of 250      D = 60% of 250

MAKE UP FINAL EXAM

Arrangements for a makeup final exam must be made within 24hrs. of  missed exam unless other arrangements have been made with the instructor.  A signature of the attending physician or nurse is required. Exams not taken earn  0  points. If absence from the  final exam is necessary for religious observance or for participation in Montgomery College activities at the request of Montgomery College authorities, notification must be received by the instructor one week prior to the scheduled exam or the right to make up the exam is forfeited. 

TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE

Dates and discussion content subject to change depending upon weather conditions and project construction progress.

June 6              Introduction to course               Site analysis and layout for first project

                        Discuss lab projects                  Look at past LN 204 projects on campus

June 8              Discuss: safety on job site         Use of transit/builders level for site analysis

                        Proper use of hand and Begin site measurements with builders level

                        power tools, correct                 Cost analysis discussion

                        clothing.

                        Site analysis and staging

                        of  materials.Site drainage.

                        Chap. 1, 3 & 4

June 13            Construction math                     Begin excavation for concrete footer

                        Material discussion,                   and retaining wall

                        Work on bid proposal

                        Chap. 5-8, 12

June 15            Dry laid stonewalls                    Continue excavation. Begin wall.

                        Volume calculations

                        Work on bid proposal

                        Chap. 16 & 19

June 20            Retaining walls                          Pour concrete footer 

                        Chap. 17 & 18

June 22            Concrete                                  Begin installing base for pavers             

                        Chap. 22& 24

                        Handout

June 27            Dry paving with brick                Begin laying pavers 

                        In the landscape

                        Work on estimating

                        Chap. 25 & 27

June 29            Mortared paving                       Flagstone installation

                        Chapter 26      

July  4              Independence Day                    College closed

July  6              Building stairs                           Continue flagstone install.

                        Chap. 20, 21 & 30

July 11             Freestanding stone walls           Continue project(s)

                        Work on bid proposal

                        Chapter 33

July 14             Wildcard  day                           Continue project(s)

                        Work on bid proposal

July 18             Finish bid proposal                   Finish project(s)

                        Final Exam

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