TEXTBOOK(S)

Optional: Turfgrass Management by A.J. Turgeon, 5th - 8th edition

WEBSITE

For more information, visit the course Web Site.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Utilization of turfgrasses for lawns and recreational areas. Emphasis on: the cultural and environmental benefits of grassed areas, concepts of grass growth and development, selecting adapted grasses for proper use, techniques for successful establishment and management of cool-and-warm-season turfgrasses, fertilization, irrigation, aeration, and pest management. The history and benefit of natural and artificial sports fields will also be discussed.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/GOALS

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 600 points is possible as follows:

Three lecture exams (100 points each)

Final Exam (100 points)

Five quizzes(10 points each)

Lab Grade (150 points possible)

Please Note: CS200 is now a “C-wall” course for enrollment in CS400.

EXTRA CREDIT:   Students can earn extra credit by giving a 7-10 minute oral presentation on a turfgrass topic. A total of 25 points can be earned for a good presentation. Topics will be selected with the approval of the instructor. This is an excellent way to raise your grade, especially if you are “on the fence” between two grades. 

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:  Monday, December 8, 8:00-11:00

STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

If you are currently registered with Disability Services for Students, or suspect you may have a learning disability, please make an appointment with 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 5156-7653 if you wish to make an appointment with their staff. For more information on NC State’s policy on working with students with disabilities, please see the Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Regulation (REG02.20.1).

ATTENDANCE POLICY

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 2% reduction in the overall course point total. For example, a total of 6 unexcused absences will reduce your final grade total by 8%. Students can access university definitions of excused absences from Attendance Regulation (REG02.20.3). 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. 

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 (POL11.35.1).

Revised August, 2008

INTRODUCTION TO TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT

Lecture Schedule

Lab Instructor:     Chenxi Zhang, 4112 Williams Hall

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 15 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 situations. More that 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 to 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 teaching assistant 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 TA 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 150 points out of 600 for the CS 200 grade.

Anyone experiencing difficulty with the course should contact their TA as soon as possible so that an appointment for personal attention can be made.

PLEASE: If you have a diagnosed Learning Disability, or have ever been told that you may have a Learning Disability, let your TA 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.

When attending a field trip or welcoming a guest lecturer/instructor, professional behavior is required.  Dress appropriately, pay attention, and be on time.  You could be making an impression on a future employer.

Opportunity for Extra Credit:

Students may prepare a scrapbook consisting of newspaper articles, magazine stories, pictures, advertisements, packaging material, cartoons, and other appropriate material related to turfgrass management.  The scrapbook is worth 10 points.  Scoring is based on diversity of material presented, variety of sources and items, organization, originality, and neatness.  The scrapbook is due during the last lab class—no exceptions.

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 you TA for assistance.
4. Always wash your hands after you leave the greenhouse.
5. Do not eat, drink or smoke in the greenhouse.