The University of Tennessee
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
PS 210 Horticulture: principles & practices
Course Information & Syllabus
Fall 2009
Meeting Time:
Location:
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 11:15 am to 12:05 pm
Room 125 Ellington Plant Sciences
Contact Information:
Instructor:
Dr. Dean Kopsell, Associate Professor, Plant Sciences Department
Office:
330 Plant Biotechnology Building
Phone:
(865) 974-1145
E-mail:
dkopsell@utk.edu
Office Hours:
Monday and Wednesday: 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, or by appointment.
Course Description:
An introduction to the science and technology underlying the use and
production of horticultural crops and landscape plants. Structure, growth
and development of horticultural plants from a practical and scientific
approach, environmental effects, basic principles of propagation,
greenhouse and outdoor production, nutrition, pruning and chemical
control of growth, pest control, and the various branches of horticulture.
Prerequisite(s): Biology 111 and 112 (General Botany).
Course Objectives: Everyone is impacted through their involvement in the horticultural
sciences. The course has been designed to introduce both the science and
practical applications of all areas within horticulture. Upon completion of
this course, students will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
Textbook:
Describe the structure, growth, and development of horticultural plants
from a practical and scientific standpoint.
Describe the underlying environmental effects that impact the growth
and development of horticultural crops.
Have an understanding of the basic principles of propagation,
greenhouse and outdoor production, nutrition, pruning and chemical
control of growth, pest control, and the various branches of
horticulture.
Arteca, R.N. 2006. Introduction to Horticultural Science. Thompson – Delmar
Learning. Textbook is available at the UT Bookstore, or at Amazon.com.
PS 210 Course Syllabus Fall 2009 – Dr. Dean Kopsell.
1
Technology Use in the Course:
Support:
PS 210 will utilize BlackBoard via Online@UT..
You may find information about BlackBoard at http://online.utk.edu. You can
log into BlackBoard at https://blackboard.utk.edu/webapps/login/. As a student
registered for this course you are automatically loaded into the course
BlackBoard site, and it should appear on your homepage. I will post all
announcements, handouts, PowerPoint lectures, and problems sets on the BB
course site. For more information on BlackBaord, consult online@UT.
Credit Hours:
3 (3 lecture hours per week)
Readings:
It is important that all readings be completed prior to coverage in the lecture
period. Keep up with the chapter readings on the syllabus. You will get much
more out of the lectures if you have prepared yourself ahead of time with the
readings and come prepared to ask any questions you may have regarding the
material. Assigned readings beyond the text will be handed out in class or put
on reserve in the Pendergrass Agricultural Library.
Examinations:
Students will be evaluated on their progress through six (6) 30-minute
examinations. Final grades will be based on the five (5) exam scores, with the
lowest exam grade being dropped. If you miss an exam for any reason during
the semester, the 0 score will default as your lowest exam grade and it will be
dropped at the end of the term.
Problem Sets:
There will be three (3) problem sets and four (4) assignments for the course.
Problem sets will cover the mathematical calculations required in the field of
horticultural sciences, such as land area calculations, fertility application rates,
pesticide active ingredients, and planting requirements. Practice problems will
be demonstrated in class and problems sets will be due at different dates during
the semester. Assignments will involve looking up information on horticultural
practices using cooperative extension web sites. This information is produced
for, and is available to the public. Fact sheets are written by university
professionals and provide basic information on a broad array of horticultural
topics.
Grading Policy:
Exam 1 .........................................................................................100 points
Exam 2 .........................................................................................100 points
Exam 3 .........................................................................................100 points
Exam 4 .........................................................................................100 points
Exam 5 .........................................................................................100 points
Exam 6 .........................................................................................100 points
Drop lowest Exam score ........................................................-100 points
Problem Set #1 .............................................................................20 points
Problem Set #2 .............................................................................20 points
Problem Set #3 .............................................................................20 points
PS 210 Course Syllabus Fall 2009 – Dr. Dean Kopsell.
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Assignment #1 .............................................................................10 points
Assignment #2 .............................................................................10 points
Assignment #3 .............................................................................10 points
Assignment #4 .............................................................................10 points
Total class points for grade determination ..............................600 points
Grading Scale: The course grading scale will be as follows. For further explanation, see the
2009-2010 Undergraduate Catalog (now all electronic), under section ‘Academic Policies and
Procedures’, sub-section ‘Grades, Credit Hours, and Grade Point Averages’
(http://catalog.utk.edu/content.php?catoid=1&navoid=156#grad_cred_hour_grad)
Letter Grade
Performance
Level
Quality points
per semester hour
of credit
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Superior
Intermediate Good
Very Good
Good
Intermediate Good
Fair
Satisfactory
Unsatisfactory
Unsatisfactory
Unsatisfactory
Unsatisfactory
Failure
4.00
3.70
3.30
3.00
2.70
2.30
2.00
1.70
1.30
1.00
0.70
0.00
Percentage
(%)
Course
Points
Earned
95 - 100
90 - 94
87 – 89
84 - 86
80 – 83
77 - 79
74 - 76
70 – 73
67 - 69
64 - 66
60 - 63
≤ 59
570 - 600
540 - 569
522 - 539
504 - 521
480 - 503
462 - 479
444 - 461
420 - 443
402 - 419
384 - 401
360 - 383
≤ 359
Academic Policies:
The University Honor Statement: “An essential feature of The University of Tennessee is a
commitment to maintaining an atmosphere of intellectual integrity and academic honesty, known
simply as the university honor code. As students of the University, you pledge that you will
neither knowingly give, nor receive any inappropriate assistance in academic work, thus
affirming your own personal commitment to honor and integrity.”
Therefore, academic honesty will apply in accordance with policies found in Hilltopics, the
official student handbook of the University of Tennessee. It is available as a PDF document
(http://dos.utk.edu/files/hilltopics_08-09.pdf). Students must adhere to the principles and rules
of the university and pursue academic work in a straightforward and truthful manner, free from
deception of fraud.
PS 210 Course Syllabus Fall 2009 – Dr. Dean Kopsell.
3
Diversity Statement:
Diversity enriches the educational experience by providing students with the opportunity to learn
from individuals who differ from themselves. Diversity strengthens communities and the
workplace by preparing students for citizenship in an increasingly complex, pluralistic society,
and by fostering mutual respect and teamwork.
Class Policies:
Attendance is expected during the lectures, but it is not mandatory. Permission to miss
examinations MUST be authorized in advance. Excuses will be handled at the discretion of the
instructor on a case-by-case basis. Students will be responsible for all classes missed. Get notes
from missed class periods from your fellow classmates.
Cell phones and PDA's will be turned off and remain in backpacks or purses during class and
exams. Use calculators and not cell phones/PDAs during exams. Laptop computers may be used
in class but no text messaging or use of laptops for other than directed instruction is allowed.
Recent surveys indicate that the most frequent use of laptops in classrooms is for other than
taking notes for class. Thus, students with open laptops may be asked periodically to show the
instructor their notes taken in class.
I want to create the most comfortable and effective learning environment possible for this course,
so I won’t tolerate people who disrupt the learning environment. If you choose to disrupt class,
make comments that insult or offend other students, you will be asked to apologize, leave class,
and be required to meet with me before I will allow you to return.
I encourage you to write notes during lectures. Go over your notes as soon as possible after class
to add details you may forget over time. You are welcome to use a tape recorder in class. If you
miss a class, it is your responsibility to get the notes from another student (so make friends with
someone next to you!). Please see me if you think you are having a hard time taking notes and
I’ll do my best to help.
Please feel free to come by my office and talk to me about the course, or any other concerns. My
door is always open. My best advice is to participate in class. Each of you will bring unique
experiences and insights to the class, so don’t be afraid to share them with the group.
Horticulture is an applied science, and I’ve always thought that the best teachers you’ll have are
the peers sitting with you in class. Enjoy the semester, and I hope you’ll gain a greater
appreciation for the science of plants, and how they are grown.
PS 210 Course Syllabus Fall 2009 – Dr. Dean Kopsell.
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Helpful Supplemental Reading Materials:
1. Barden, J.A., R.G. Halfacre, and D.J. Parrish. 1987. Plant science. McGraw-Hill
Publishers, N.Y.
2. Janick, J. 1986. Horticultural science. 4th ed. W.H. Freeman. N.Y.
3. Hartmann, H.T., A.M. Kofranek, V.E. Rubatzky, and W.J. Flocker. 1988. Plant science:
growth, development, and utilization of cultivated plants. 2nd ed. Prentice Hall, New
Jersey.
4. Raven, P.H., R.F. Evert, and S.E. Eichhorn. 1999. Biology of plants. 6th ed. W.H.
Freeman and Company, Worth Publishers, New York.
5. Brady, N.C. and R.R. Weil. 1999. Nature and property of soils. 12th ed. Macmillian
Press, New York.
6. Stern, K.R. 2000. Introductory Plant Biology. 8th ed. McGraw Hill.
7. Mills, H.A. and Jones, J.B. Jr. 1996. Plant analysis handbook II: a practical sampling,
preparation, analysis, and interpretation guide. MicroMacro Publishing, Athens, GA.
PS 210 Course Syllabus Fall 2009 – Dr. Dean Kopsell.
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Tips on How to Study for this Course:
I’m glad you decided to take this course. I hope that you find learning about horticulture as
fascinating as I do. In order for you to do well, I encourage you to concentrate on the following:
You need to BE HERE:
To learn and understand the material you have to attend every
class. I know missing class on occasion cannot be avoided, but
please contact me ahead of time if you are going to absent.
You need to BE ACTIVE:
We’re all in this course together, so please participate in class. A
wise professor once told me that students can learn more from each
other than they ever could from him, and I believe that is true.
Each one of you brings unique experiences and opinions to this
class, and I would ask that you help me teach others about them.
In order for this to work, we all have to respect divergent opinions,
be tolerant and supportive, and engage in active listening. I do
notice who is participating in class and I will apply discretion in
cases where a grade is borderline.
You need to BE PROMPT: Please make every effort to be on time for class. I realize being
late on occasion can happen. However, in those cases, if you
commute to campus don’t break any laws getting here and enter
class quietly, without interruption.
Always BE PREPARED:
It’s only when you come prepared for class that you can contribute
to our discussions and make the best use of our time together.
You need to KEEP UP:
Please make every effort to keep up with your readings and
assignments. Points will be deducted from late assignments.
You are always welcome to talk to me about class assignments, your progress in the course, or
problems or concerns you have. If it gets to the point where you’re thinking of dropping this
course for any reason, please come to talk to me first. I promise to do my best to help you any
way I can to succeed. Remember too, support services at the university are available when you
need extra help.
PS 210 Course Syllabus Fall 2009 – Dr. Dean Kopsell.
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Course Overview and Objectives
This course will introduce the discipline of plant science and horticulture. Major emphasis will be
placed on environmental factors that affect growth and development. There will also be
introductions to different disciplines within the field of horticultural science.
Course Lecture Calendar:
August
19
First day of class: Syllabus and course description.
20
The green plant – what an organism. Chapter 1.
Origins of agriculture and plant nomenclature. Chapter 2.
-------24
Review of plant anatomy, morphology, and structures. Chapter 6.
26
Plant photosynthesis and light-dependent reactions. Chapter 1.
28
Plant photosynthesis and light-independent reactions. Chapter 1.
------31
Environmental factors affecting photosynthesis.
September
2
Plant respiration. Chapter 1.
4
EXAM 1. Mathematics for horticulture/agriculture.
------7
No class - Labor Day Holiday.
9
Vegetative/Reproductive Growth. Plant Propagation. Chapter 7.
11
Plant Propagation techniques. Chapter 7.
------14
Macronutrients/ Micronutrients – essential plant nutrients. Chapter 8.
16
Fertilizer management. Chapter 8.
18
Plant hormones. Chapter 10.
------21
Plant Growth & Development and hormonal controls. Chapter 10.
23
EXAM 2.
25
The growing environment: plant microclimates. Chapters 5 and 9.
------28
LIGHT. Chapter 9.
30
TEMPERATURE. Chapter 9.
October
2
WATER. Chapter 9.
------5
Water management and irrigation.
7
SOIL physical properties. Chapter 8.
9
SOIL chemical properties. Chapter 8.
------12
EXAM 3.
14
Cultural controls for pest management. Chapter 12.
16
No Class - Fall Break.
-------
PS 210 Course Syllabus Fall 2009 – Dr. Dean Kopsell.
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19
21
23
------26
28
30
Public Horticulture – guest lecture by Mr. Andy Pulte.
Turfgrass management – guest lecture by Dr. Brandon Horvath.
Greenhouse structures and growing greenhouse crops. Chapter 14 and 15.
Landscape design principles. Chapter 20.
Landscape design practices. Chapter 20.
EXAM 4.
------November
2
Vegetable Crops/Gardening – guest lecture by Mr. Casey Barickman. Chapter 24
4
Fruit production basics – guest lecture by Dr. Dennis Deyton. Chapter 25.
6
** No Class **
------8
Organic gardening principles.
11
Planting and transplanting of landscape crops Chapter 21.
13
Pruning – theory and basics.
------16
Pruning – techniques and equipment.
18
Preventative maintenance in the landscape. Chapter 22.
20
Landscape construction basics.
------23
EXAM 5.
25
Plant biotechnology and GMOs. Chapter 13.
27
No class – Thanksgiving Break.
------30
Review for final exam.
------December
9
FINAL EXAM (6) from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
(http://registrar.tennessee.edu/academic_calendar/Fall09Exam.pdf)
PS 210 Course Syllabus Fall 2009 – Dr. Dean Kopsell.
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