Horticulture 201H, Horticultural Sciences and Practices, Honors Section,
Course Syllabus
Spring 2008
Instructor:
- Dr. Marla Binzel, Associate Professor of Horticulture
Course Description: Horticultural Sciences and Practices is a 3 credit hour course with 2 weekly class meetings. The course describes the structure, growth, and development of horticultural plants from both practical and scientific approaches. Topics presented include basic anatomy, physiology, morphology, genetics, and biotechnology of horticultural plants, environmental effects on plant growth and development, basic principles of propagation, nutrition, and pest control.
Class Meetings: Tuesday and Thursday, 9:35 - 10:50, Room 101 Horticulture Forest Science Building
Instructor's Office Hours: Arranged by appointment.
Marla Binzel, 519 HFSB, 845-8938, m-binzel@tamu.edu
- Course Objectives: Horticultural Sciences and Practices presents
the fundamental concepts of plant structure, growth, and development using
horticultural plants as models. An introduction to the basics of plant biology,
physiology, reproduction, and genetics and how these functions are affected
by environmental, chemical and mechanical manipulation will be presented.
Students will make presentations on topics they have examined in depth during
discussion sessions. Specifically, the course will:
- Familiarize students with basic terminology, and the structure/function relationships of plant tissue and organ systems;
- Acquaint students with the basic physiological and genetic mechanisms involved in plant growth and development throughout the entire life cycle from seed germination to plant senescence;
- Explore the ways man has developed to manipulate growth and development of horticultural plants for food production and beautification of interior environments and landscapes;
- Learn to use the computer to search for information and present that information in a form for others to use;
- Develop skills in researching a topic and leading a discussion; topics will include contemporary issues that impact horticulture such as biotechnology, world food problems, natural resource conservation, global warming, and sustainable production systems.
Required Text: Science and the Garden - The Scientific Basis of Horticultural Practice. DS Ingram, D Vince-Prue and PJ Gregory (eds). Blackwell Publishing, 2002. ISBN - 13: 978-0-632-05308-7. Other readings from texts, periodicals, and computer reference resources will be assigned as needed.
Aggie Horticulture Online: Aggie Horticulture is a World Wide Web server connected online through Internet. Aggie Horticulture is accessible from any computer having Internet client software (for example, Mosaic or Netscape). Students will use Aggie Horticulture as a tool for accessing electronic databases of horticultural and other relevant information.
| Exams and Grading | Total Points = 500 points | |
| Quizzes (5) | 10% | 50 points (10 points each) |
| Mid-term exams (2) | 40% | 200 points (100 points each) |
| Group project | 20% | 100 points |
| Assignments and Worksheets | 5% | 25 points (5 points each) |
| Final Exam (cumulative) | 25% | 125 points |
Quizzes and Make-Up Exams: Quizzes and make-up exams will only be given for official University excuses. Dr. Binzel must be informed within 24h of missing the exam or quiz. See TAMU Student Rule 7.5 .
Late Assignments: Late assignments are penalized at a rate of 10% loss in points per day late including weekends.
Changes in Schedule: The instructor reserves the right to change the order and content of lectures as necessary. Group discussion and exam dates (excluding the final) may be changed by the instructor, but at least 5 days notice will be given.
Aggie Code of Honor: "Aggies do not lie, cheat, or steal nor do
they tolerate those who do."
Students are expected to attend all classes, complete assignments on time,
and participate fully in class discussions and group projects. Violations
will be handled in accordance with the Texas A&M University Regulations governing
academic integrity, which are outlined at the Aggie Honor System web page
http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor.
Please refer to the TAMU web site on Plagiarism
and Scholastic Dishonesty for resources and a detailed explanation of
what constitutes plagiarism. Students are expected to complete all assignments
individually, unless instructed otherwise by Dr. Binzel - this includes worksheets!
Copyrights: Please note that all handouts and supplements used in this course are copyrighted. This includes all materials generated for this class, including but not limited to syllabi, exams, in-class materials, review sheets, lecture outlines and content on the course web site. Materials may be downloaded or photocopied for personal use only, and may not be given or sold to other individuals.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti discrimination statue that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities in Room 126 of the Koldus Building, or call 845-1637.
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