Houston Community College
Horticulture Department
HALT 1319: Landscape Construction
Credits: 3 (2 Lecture, 2 Lab)
Syllabus
Instructor Information
Johnny Hackett B.S.; M. Agriculture Education; M.Ed.
Email: thehackettgroup@consolidated.net or Johnny.hackett@hccs.edu I will get back with you as soon
as possible usually within 1or 2 days
Office Hours: meet prior to or after class
Office Location: HCC Northwest College, Katy Campus; Ste. 395A
Mailing Address: 1550 Foxlake Dr., Mail Code 1396, Houston, TX 77084
Course Description
Students will examine the theories, concept, materials, and procedures involved in basic
aspects of landscape construction. Class will perform assigned class projects.
Course Goals
Student will identify the safety procedures involved in landscape construction and the basic
legal aspects of it as well. Student will acquire basic math skills related to the course. Student
will develop basic skills in concrete, paving, flower bed construction and ground preparation.
Prerequisites-None
Statement of Foundation Skills
A study was conducted for the Department of Labor by the American Society for Training and
Development which identified seven skills U.S. employers want most in entry level employees.
These skills are motivation to learn, communication, teamwork, critical thinking, career
development and leadership.
HCCS is committed to preparing every student with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed
in today’s dynamic work environment. The following course goals are included in this course:
SCANS SKILLS
 Thinking logically-Student will be able to correctly build landscape project in logical
order as required.
 Work on Teams-Students will work as a group on landscape projects during lab time.
Text Book
Landscape Construction, Third Edition, by David Sauter. ISBN 13-978-1-4354-9718-4
Lab Requirements (if any), held weekly
Syllabus Change: Instructor reserve the right to change the syllabus as deemed appropriate
for class instruction. Students will be notified of any changes in syllabus in a timely manner.
Please be alert to any communication as to any change(s) that might be made.
Student Discipline: “Adult behavior is expected. Disruptive behavior / activities which interfere
with teaching and / or learning will not be tolerated, and may result in an administrative
withdrawal without refund.” “This includes not obeying the posted electronics policy in the
classroom
Electronics in the Classroom: All cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off
unless I specifically approve of them.
Students and Disabilities
“Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing,
etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services
Office at the respective college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty is authorized to
provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office."
For questions, contact Donna Price at 713-718-5165 or the Disability Counselor at each college.
Also visit the ADA web site at: http://www.hccs.edu/students/disability/index.htm. Faculty
Handbook/Faculty Orientation is also available at
http://www.hccs.edu/students/disability/faculty.htm
Academic Honesty
Academic dishonesty (cheating) will not be tolerated. If an individual is caught, punishment will
be enforced according to the Student Policies Handbook.
Attendance and Withdrawal Policies
Students are expected to attend classes regularly. Class attendance is checked daily by
instructors. Although it is the responsibility of the student to drop a course for non-attendance,
the instructor has the authority to drop a student for excessive absences. A student may be
dropped from a course for excessive absences after the student has accumulated absences in
excess of 12.5% of the hours of instruction (including lecture and laboratory time).
State Mandate: Failure of a student to withdraw officially from a class will result in an F.
Evaluation
Percentage
Grade
100-90%
A
89%-80%
B
79-70%
C
69-60%
D
59% & below
F
Course Requirements and Grading Policy
The students will be tested several times through the semester. A midterm and final exam will
be given. Quizzes will be given periodically through the semester.
Testing
The tests and quizzes cover material administered in class and the reading assignments. A
midterm and final exam will be given.
Make-up Policy
If the student meets college policy requirements, make-up exams are discussed with the
student and the instructor and scheduled per college policy. It is necessary to make
arrangements with the instructor to schedule a make-up exam.
If you do not call or come by to see me before the test date, a grade of 0 will be recorded.
Projects, Assignments, Portfolios, Service Learning, Internships, etc.
Various projects may be assigned by instructor.
Course Content
Week
Topic
1 Section 1 Before Construction Begins
The Landscape Construction Process
Legal Requirements & Interpreting Construction Documents –Construction Math
Project Pricing – Safety in the Workplace
Basic Construction Techniques & Equipment Operation
Construction Staking
2 Section 2 Site Preparation
Preservation of Existing Site Elements
Removing Unwanted Site Elements
Guest Speaker
3 Section 10 Planting
Plant Materials Installation
Establishment of Turf & Meadows
4 Section 3 Grading, Site Drainage, and Erosion
Site Grading – Site Drainage – Erosion Control 5 Section 4 Site Utilities
DC Site Lighting & Related Electrical Work
Water & Irrigation System installation
Mid Term Test
Field Trip
6 Section 5 Landscape Retaining Walls & Stairs
Materials and Installation Techniques for Retain walls
Timber Retaining W – Segmental Precast Unit Retaining Walls
7 Section 6 Landscape Paving
Materials & Site Preparation –Concrete Paving – Unit Pavers –Dry-Land Paving
Mortared Paving – Granular Open Cellular Paving
8 Section 7 Wood landscape Structures
Materials for Exterior Carpentry –Wood Decks and Platforms –Wood Stairs, Railing,
Seating, and Skirting - Overhead Structures
9 Section 8 Fences and Freestanding Walls
Fencing –Freestanding Walls –
10 Section 9 Site Materials
Water Features and Bridges Site Furniture. Signage, Prefabricated Playground
Equipment - Outdoor Kitchen, and Patio Amenities – Edging, Planters, and Plant
Protection Equipment
11 Review
12
13 Final Exam
Assigned Projects
Students will perform these projects:
 Plant Donated Vines along the fence –Build bed and place edging
 Build 4 X 6 Signage to inform public on building stages of the horticulture Departmenat
 Build & construct Pond by the water reservoir
 Place 10’ Poles in ground to hang donated hanging baskets
Student Information (clubs, tutoring, web resources, etc.)
Ag. Consortium of Texas (ACT)
Texas Junior College Ag. Association (TJCAA)
Texas Nursery & Landscape Association (TNLA)
To access your student email from www.hccs.edu; Click on http://webmail.hccs.eduFrom the
Faculty and Staff Link look for Employee Support and click on the
Webmailhttps://webmail.hccs.edu