INTRODUCTION TO TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT - CS 200
ACTUAL SYLLABUS: FALL 2014
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Daniel C. Bowman, 2210 Williams, 515-3667
dan_bowman@ncsu.edu
LECTURE:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9:10-10:00 2104 Williams
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday, 10:00-11:00 or by appointment, or just stop by
TEXTBOOK:
Optional: Turfgrass Management by A.J. Turgeon, 5th- 8th
edition
MOODLE Site:
https://moodle1415-courses.wolfware.ncsu.edu/course/view.php?id=2746
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will
have an understanding of:
1. Plant morphology and specific structures that will enable them to identify the
various species used as turfgrasses.
2. The components of the environment (atmosphere, soil, biotic) and how they
affect turfgrass growth and development.
3. Soil physical and chemical properties as related to turfgrass management.
4. What a fertilizer is and how it is used to achieve a high-quality turf. How the
turfgrass plant uses nutrients, and how fertilizers behave in soils. Emphasis is
placed on ability to calculate and apply appropriate amounts of the chemical.
5. The dynamics of water in a turfgrass system. How a plant uses water and
why, how much water is required, and how it is applied most efficiently.
6. The impact of mowing on the turfgrass plant. Proper mowing techniques will
be covered.
7. The basics of supplementary management practices, such as aerification,
topdressing, and overseeding.
8. The basics of best management practices (BMP’s).
9. The turfgrass industry in its broadest sense.
10. Environmentally responsible management is emphasized throughout the
course.
GRADING:
A total of 800 points is possible as follows:
Three lecture exams (100 points each)
Final Exam (200 points)
Five quizzes (10 points each)
Oral report (50 points)
Lab Grade (200 points)
Please Note: CS200 is a “C-wall” course for enrollment in CS400.
Final grades are based on a curve of the total scores.
The +/- system is used for final grades.
Class participation (lecture and lab) is expected of all students.
Final exam: Wednesday, December 10, 8:00-11:00
ATTENDANCE:
Students are expected to attend all lectures and examinations.
Attendance will be taken. Students must inform the instructor if
they expect to be absent for a valid reason. A student is
allowed two unexcused absences. Each additional
unexcused absence will result in a 1% reduction in the
overall course point total. For example, a total of 6
unexcused absences will reduce your final grade total by 4%.
Exams may be scheduled early with valid reason only.
Students must report to the instructor within one week of
missing lectures or examinations due to an emergency (illness,
injury or death in the family). Make-up exams are allowed only
due to legitimate emergencies and a letter from a doctor or
clergy may be required.
STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS:
If you are currently registered with Disability Services for
Students, or suspect you may have a learning disability,
please see Dr. Bowman to discuss your situation. In
conjunction with DSS, every effort will be made to
accommodate students with special needs. You may
contact DSS at 515-7653 if you wish to make an
appointment with their staff.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Students will comply with the NCSU policies governing
academic honesty. Violations (cheating, plagiarism,
providing unauthorized assistance) will be dealt with in
accordance with the NCSU Code of Student Conduct.
Lecture Schedule
Date
Lecture topic
August 20
22
Introduction and Organization
Turf Use and Function
25
27
29
Turf Use and Function
Turfgrass seeds and germination
Turfgrass seeds and germination
Sept. 1
3
5
Labor Day, no class
Growth and Development
Growth and Development
8
10
12
Warm-Season Grasses
Warm-Season Grasses
Cool-Season Grasses
15
17
19
Cool-Season Grasses
Cool-Season Grasses
Turfgrass Environment – Atmosphere
22
24
26
Turfgrass Environment - Atmosphere
Turfgrass Environment - Soil
First Hour Exam
29
Oct. 1
3
Turfgrass Environment - Soil
Cultural Practices - Soil Cultivation
Cultural Practices – Fertilization
6
8
10
Cultural Practices - Fertilization
Cultural Practices – Fertilization
Fall Break - No Class
13
15
17
Cultural Practices - Mowing
Cultural Practices - Irrigation
Cultural Practices – Irrigation
20
22
24
Cultural Practices - Irrigation
Second Hour Exam
Sports Turf - Jimmy Simpson - Baseball USA
27
29
31
Turf Establishment
Diseases
Weeds
Nov. 3
5
7
Heat/Cold Stress
Drought/Salt Stress
Environmental Issues
10
12
14
Turfgrass Breeding - Dr. Susana Milla-Lewis
Home Lawn Care – guest TBD
Golf Course Management - guest TBD
17
19
21
Integrated Pest Management
Oral Presentations
Third Hour Exam
24
26
28
Oral Presentations
Thanksgiving Break, no class
Thanksgiving Break, no class
Dec. 2
4
6
Oral Presentations
Oral Presentations
Oral Presentations, Wrap-up
Final exam: Wednesday, December 10, 8:00-11:00
The exam will be comprehensive and will cover lecture
and handout/reading materials.
CS 200L Laboratory Syllabus
Instructor:
Dr. Bowman
4123 Williams Hall
Lab Section (Monday 3:35 - 5:25) WMS 1403
Week
Date
Topic
1
Aug. 25
Introduction/ Turfgrass Morphology
Sept. 1
No Class—Labor Day Holiday
2
8
Seed Identification and Calculations
3
15
Turfgrass Seeding and Sodding: Lake
Wheeler Field Lab
4
22
Warm Season Grass Identification
5
29
Cool Season Grass Identification
6
Oct. 6
The Fertilizer Label/Calculations/Fertilizer
Application
7
13
Plot Evaluation and ID Quiz at Field Lab
8
20
***LAB MIDTERM***
9
27
Mowing and Other Maintenance Equipment:
Lake Wheeler Field Lab
10
Nov. 3
Rotary and Drop Spreader Calibration
11
10
Calibration: Lake Wheeler Field Lab
12
18
Irrigation Scheduling
13
25
Pesticide Formulations
14
Dec. 1
***LAB FINAL***
Course Goals:
The overall objective of this course is to help present and future turfgrass
managers develop professional and technical skills in the turfgrass science field.
As a result of taking this course the student will be able to:
1. Identify at least 13 different warm and cool season grasses.
2. Evaluate turfgrass cultivars using the National Turfgrass Evaluation
Program system.
3. Determine irrigation scheduling under a variety of scenarios.
4. Calculate amounts of fertilizer needed for various situations.
5. Differentiate between different grass seeds.
6. Calibrate a rotary and a drop spreader as well as a sprayer.
Attendance Policy and Grading:
Attendance will be taken at each lab period. Regular attendance at all laboratory
sessions is expected. Students should inform the instructor if they anticipate
being absent for a valid reason. Absences should be reported to the instructor
as soon as possible, and before the next scheduled lab session. Written
documentation is required.
Because of the nature of the lab, there will be no make-up quizzes except for a
legitimate medical excuse or emergency situation. More than TWO (2)
unexcused absences for lab will result in a student receiving ZERO (0)
points for the laboratory section of this course. Coming in significantly late
or leaving early without an excuse or approval from the instructor will result in a
marked absence from that class.
Excused Absences:
1. Death in the immediate family.
2. A medical emergency in the immediate family.
3. Accident or illness that requires YOU visit a doctor or student health services.
4. Official University functions.
5. PRIOR approval of instructor.
Students who miss class, with or without a documented excuse, are responsible
for obtaining missed handouts from the instructor and missed notes from a
classmate. Homework turned in after the due date will NOT be graded for full
credit without a valid excuse presented in written form.
There is no excuse for sloppy work at the college level. Handwriting should be
legible, words should be spelled correctly, sentences should be complete,
paragraphs should be paragraphs, and rules of correct English usage should be
followed. If your instructor cannot read or understand your assignments, quizzes
or exams, he/she cannot give you credit.
All quizzes, homework, exams and other graded portions of the lab will contribute
a total of 25% to the final grade for the course. The laboratory is worth a total of
200 points out of 800 for the CS 200 grade.
PLEASE: If you have a diagnosed Learning Disability, or have ever been told
that you may have a Learning Disability, let your instructor know immediately.
You may contact them after class, visit them in their office, write them a note;
whichever you feel most comfortable with. All information provided to them is
confidential. Resources have been established for assisting you with this class.
Please take advantage of them.
Academic Integrity:
Students are expected to comply with University policies concerning academic
honesty. Violations of academic integrity such as cheating, plagiarism, or giving
unauthorized aid to others in their work will not be tolerated and will be dealt with
according to the NCSU Code of Student Conduct.
The Honor Pledge—The students and faculty of NCSU believe that the
willingness of students to affirm and adhere to the essential values of honesty
and integrity in all their academic endeavors is exemplified in the Honor Pledge:
I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this test or assignment.
Academic Dishonesty: Scholarly activity is marked by honesty, fairness and
rigor. A scholar does not take credit for the work of others, does not take unfair
advantage of others, and does not perform acts which frustrate the scholarly
efforts of others. The violation of any of these principles is academic dishonesty.
Academic dishonesty includes the giving, taking, or presenting of information or
material by a student with the intent of unethically or fraudulently aiding oneself
or another person on any work which is to be considered in the determination of
a grade or the completion of academic requirements.
Working together with another student on homework does not constitute
academic dishonesty. Copying another student’s homework, or letting another
student copy your homework does constitute academic dishonesty. You will not
have help on the exams and quizzes that reflect the work done in class or on
homework exercises, so it is in your best interest to learn to complete the work
independently.
Any act of plagiarism will result in a grade of “0” for all parties involved.
Laboratory Safety:
All students are expected to exercise proper safety precautions in laboratory
sessions. Guidelines regarding safety procedures will be reviewed during the first
laboratory session.
Please do not take lab safety for granted. In the lab room, during field trips, and
in the greenhouse, lab safety must be observed. This class will have a “hands
on” approach to subject material. This class will have several aspects of safety
that must be followed.
The greenhouse is unlocked during business hours so you may use this facility at
your convenience. Several safety precautions must be followed:
1. Please do not use the greenhouse after dark for safety reasons.
2. Never stay in the greenhouse during severe storms.
3. If chemical applications have been made, a sign will be posted and the door
locked. If you are unsure about warning signs that have been posted, please
see your instructor for assistance.
4. Always wash your hands after you leave the greenhouse.
5. Do not eat, drink or smoke in the greenhouse.