CS 055 - ADVANCED TURF MANAGEMENT

Spring, 2010

INSTRUCTORS:     Dr. Grady L. Miller, 4123A Williams Hall     515-5656 (office)

                                    E-mail: grady_miller@ncsu.edu        

                                    Mr. Scott Brinton, 4104 Williams Hall           515-2661

                                    E-mail: scott_brinton@ncsu.edu                   

LECTURES:             Monday and Wednesday, 2104 Williams Hall, 11:20 am to 12:10 pm

LABORATORY:      Sec. 201: Monday, 2104 Williams Hall, 1:30 to 3:20 pm

                                    Sec. 202: Monday, 2104 Williams Hall, 3:35 to 5:30 pm

OFFICE HOURS:    Dr. Miller, Monday and Wednesday, 8:30 to 10:00 am or by appointment. Scott Brinton by appointment.

Learning Outcomes: To be able to integrate advanced turf management concepts relating to plant nutrition, plant water relations, stress physiology, Integrated Pest Management, and environmental management into turf management programs for a wide variety of turf situations.

Grade Determination Policy:

Using points earned divided by total points x 100, grades will be assigned as follows:

A+ =95-100;   A = 90-94;

B+ = 85-89;     B = 80-84;

C+ = 75-79;     C = 70-74;

D+ = 65-69;    D = 60-64;

F = <60

Assignments: Are due at the beginning of the lecture or laboratory period. Late papers will not be accepted.

Speech Requirement – As a fun and educational exercise in public speaking, each student will be required to give a 1-minute speech on a Turfgrass Management topic chosen by the instructor.  The speech will be extemporaneous in nature in that the topics will be assigned immediately prior to giving the speech.  This exercise is to familiarize the student with a situation that often comes up when on a job site when a “customer” raises an issue or has a question.

Lecture Topics*

*Syllabus subject to change with or without notice

TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT PLANS:

Each student will prepare a Management Plan for each of the turf situations described in the handouts. These will represent specific turfgrass situations with which you will be faced if you are a turfgrass manager. They are intended to be thought provoking exercises which will present you with real-world situations.

Each student will present one of their Plans in the lab section during the semester. You are expected to use computer graphics slides in your presentation. Other forms of multimedia presentation can also be used; see instructor for guidance.

The Fertilization Management Plan (1^st plan due) will be a project completed with a partner. Students can choose their partner, but a student can only be in one group. You are to work as a team. How the two of you decide to handle the work load is up to you.

In addition to the Fertilization Management Plan, you will be required to complete two other management plans. These plans and their due dates are as follows:

            Plan 1: Fertilization Management Plan           1:30 pm February 8th

            Plan 2: Limited Management Plan                  1:30 pm March 8th

            Plan 3: Primary Management Plan                  1:30 am April 5th

PEST MANAGEMENT SUMMARY:

Each student will prepare a 1-2 page pest management summery for a specific instructor-assigned pest. These summaries should be designed as a set of options that should be considered/used to combat the specific pest. Additional information will be provided in preparation for this exercise.

**ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE TYPED. NO OTHERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

EXTRA CREDIT: Up to 12 points can be gained during the semester by turning in “turf or turf related” clippings that you cut-out from a news report (printed paper or web printed article) that is less than 1 week old when submitted or a popular press magazine that is not landscape or turf oriented in nature. If web produced, it must have “submitted” or “printed date” from the source in the printout. If the clipping is smaller than 8 x 10, tape or paste to a sheet of paper and write you name, date, and paper reference somewhere. Each article is worth 4 points. No articles will be accepted after the date of the last exam—no exceptions. I have the right to refuse any clipping that I determine is not “turf related”.

PLAGIARISM:

Note that Management Plans will be check for plagiarism. These are to be original works. Some allowances will be made for obtaining digital images for illustrations. Allowances will not be made for copying text. If caught plagiarizing a zero will be assigned to that assignment. There will be no bargaining. If caught a second time, the student will immediately be assigned a zero for the course and their name submitted to the Office of Student Conduct.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Attendance is mandatory and will be checked at each class meeting. More than two (2) unexcused absences will result in receiving zero (0) points for the Laboratory section of this course.  Except in the case of an emergency, please notify the professor or TA at least 24 hours before Lab meeting time if you are unable to attend the Lab.  Written, valid excuses are required for excused absences.  Student oral reports are worth 50 points and will be judged by both instructors. A student oral report must be given or you will not pass the course.

Academic Integrity Policy:

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.

It is University policy that all students sign the Honor Pledge on tests and assignments for each course as specified by the instructor. Faculty are authorized and encouraged to require all students to sign the Honor Pledge on all academic work.

For additional information please go to the following website.

http://www.fis.ncsu.edu/ncsulegal/41.03-codeof.htm

Crop Science Departmental Student Policy:

You are expected to act as a professional. There will be no eating, no drinking, no use of tobacco products in the lecture or laboratory sessions.

Class Attendance Policy:

Class attendance is expected and role will be taken. Ten points will be deducted from your final total for each un-excused absence in excess of two.

We are not using a specific text this semester. Readings assigned will either be from the CS 021/022 text, from handouts provided in class, or via e-mail. For other information please go to the following website.

http://www.ncsu.edu/provost/academic_policies/attend/reg.htm

Class is canceled if the TV/Radio announces Wake County Schools are dismissed. Check the local TV/Radio for messages.

Students with Learning Disabilities:

We are very interested in assuring that all students gain as much from this class as possible. If you have a learning disability and are being counseled through the LD Coordinator, Disability Services for Students please let me know. It will be kept confidential.

For more information please go to the following website.

http://www.ncsu.edu/provost/hat/current/appendix/appen_k.html

LABORATORY OUTLINE

LABORATORY:      Sec. 201; Monday, 1:30 – 3:20 pm, 2104 Williams Hall.

LABORATORY SCHEDULE:

Week #           Dates                           Lab Exercise

3                      1/25                 Turf Calculations assignment

5                      2/1                   Turf Calculations Worksheet Due, Review

6                      2/8                   Using the Computer for Turf Information

7                      2/15                 Picture Scenarios

8                      2/22                 Management Scenarios

9                      3/1                   Site Analysis

10                    3/8                   Walk About – Campus Site Management

11                    3/15                 Spring Break (No Lab)

12                    3/22                 Walk About – Campus Site Management

13                    3/29                 Primary Management Plan Reports **

14                    4/5                   Primary Management Plan Reports

15                    4/12                 Primary Management Plan Reports

16                    4/19                 Primary Management Plan Reports

Notes: All assignments are due at the beginning of the Laboratory period . 

Assignments not turned in at that time will not be accepted.

Lab Schedule is subject to change, most likely due to weather. 

**AN ORAL REPORT IS MANDATORY FOR COMPLETION OF THE COURSE       – NO EXCEPTIONS!!!

**ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE TYPED. NO OTHERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

LABORATORY GRADING:

Grades for the laboratory will be calculated as part of the class. No separation between types of assignments will be made. Just a totaling of points for exams, homeworks, presentations, etc.

Calendar: The sixteen week semester calendar is listed below for your benefit.  This can be used as a planning tool and/or as means to remember critical dates.

SPRING SEMESTER 2010