Course Syllabus

SYLLABUS AND COURSE SUMMARY

Syllabus 

LARC 5330: Plant Identification and Ecology

 

Fall 2020

Instructor: David Hopman, ASLA, PLA

Office Number: CAPPA 421

Office Telephone Number: 817.272.0468 

Email Address: dhopman@uta.edu

Faculty Profile: http://www.uta.edu/cappa/people/faculty-staff/profiles/david-hopman.php

Office Hours: TBA or by appointment. 

 

Time and Place of Class Meetings: ARCH 404: Monday and Wednesday 12:00-2:50

 

Description of Course Content: This course offers a broad overview of the many plant materials, plant industry professionals, and planting techniques that are required to design, install, and maintain successful and future viable landscapes. The student will learn a plant palette appropriate to a wide variety of design styles and ecological relationships. Emphasis is placed on North Texas native plants, ecology, and future viable planting practices. Field trips will cover a cross-section of the landscapes in the Dallas/Fort Worth area from urban projects to nature centers. Green Industry professionals will share their expertise both in class and on field trips. Local field trips are required and students will need a good digital camera. Comfortable shoes and a hat should be brought to every class and field trip.

Special note for the Hybrid mode of this class in 2020:

The format of the class for this fall is subject to change but this is how I expect the class to be conducted as of 6-19-2020 and until further notice.

The class will be hybrid/primarily online. We may be able to meet in person , depending on the progress of COVID 19 as the semester progresses. If meeting in person, we will meet outside for field trips to see plants after the weather cools down a bit. I expect most of the month of September to be purely online.  You will need a set of earbuds or headphones with a microphone so that we can talk outside and still maintain social distancing. Make sure that teams is loaded on your cellphone so you can hear my lectures as we are touring. 

All students will be required to wear a facemask that covers both their mouth and their nose during all face to face meetings. Masks are available at the main library and at the University center. Additionally, class policy will be to maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet when possible.

Health screenings Before arriving for a field trip, students must perform a daily health screening, which includes a daily temperature check and self-monitoring for the following COVID-19 symptoms: ·        Cough ·        Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing ·        Chills or repeated shaking with chills ·        Muscle pain ·        Headache ·        Sore throat ·        Loss of taste or smell ·        Diarrhea ·        Feverishness, or a temperature greater than or equal to 100 degrees Fahrenheit

If you have any of the symptoms above, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail me indicating that you will not be able to attend the activity and that you will be quarantined until you receive COVID-19 test results.

We will use Microsoft TEAMS for all online classes and CANVAS for quizzes, exams, and for other activities TBA. You can learn these programs very easily by using linked-in learning videos (free to UTA students) or by studying the help in the programs themselves.

It will be important for all students to have a good internet connection, a good microphone and adequate video camera, and a large enough monitor to see all course content comfortably. We will spend many hours each week online so please make every effort to get set up electronically for success. Below are a few tips on your setup:

• WIFI: Key element for your online experience and also for those participating with you!
•               a. Test regularly to learn what blocks and stops it. I use “internet speed test” on google.
• My WIFI stops almost completely when the microwave in my kitchen is running (about 40 feet and three rooms away)
• If you live in an apartment, consider a hardwired Ethernet connection.
•               a. Get an adapter for USB, thunder stick etc.—will assure that you receive uninterrupted signal
• Blue tooth headphones can weaken the signal.
• A WiFi range extender is extremely useful! I use TP Link. It oubled my WiFi speed (actual) from 10-12 to 20-22 mb/second
•               a. the extender can occasionally cause problems with connection. Reboot the extender from time to time if there are issues.
•               b.  Get as close as possible to the router if no WiFi extender
• Raise the router off of the floor for better coverage
• in order to boost the signal, turn off all web browsers and other programs that use a lot of resources while you are in class!
• Check your cloud server syncing-could use too much bandwidth
• Ask people in your household to not use WIFI while you are in an online class or meeting.
• Get a WiFi upgrade. 20 meg/second or higher is better and more resilient
• If weak signal, consider lowering the resolution of your camera in order to keep the voice signal robust.
• Consider getting a webcam with a good integrated microphone. This will improve the sound and video and remove need for headsets.

1. 1. We will discuss any other issues as the semester progresses.

LockDown Browser Requirement
This course requires the use of LockDown Browser for online Quizzes. Watch this video to get a basic understanding of LockDown Browser:

https://www.respondus.com/products/lockdown-browser/student-movie.shtml

Download Instructions
Download and install LockDown Browser from this link:

https://download.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=163943837

Once Installed

• Start LockDown Browser
• Log into to Canvas
• Navigate to the quiz

Note: You won't be able to access a quiz that requires LockDown Browser with a standard web browser. If this is tried, an error message will indicate that the test requires the use of LockDown Browser. Simply start LockDown Browser and navigate back to the exam to continue.

Guidelines
When taking an online quiz, follow these guidelines:

• Select a location where you won't be interrupted
• Before starting the test, know how much time is available for it, and also that you've allotted sufficient time to complete it
• Turn off all mobile devices, phones, etc. and don't have them within reach
• Clear your area of all external materials - books, papers, other computers, or devices
• Remain at your desk or workstation for the duration of the test
• LockDown Browser will prevent you from accessing other websites or applications; you will be unable to exit the test until all questions are completed and submitted

Getting Help
Several resources are available if you encounter problems with LockDown Browser:

• The Windows and Mac versions of LockDown Browser have a "Help Center" button located on the toolbar. Use the "System & Network Check" to troubleshoot issues. 
• If you're still unable to resolve a technical issue with LockDown Browser, go to support.respondus.com and select "Submit a Ticket". Provide detailed information about your problem and what steps you took to resolve it

 

Student Learning Outcomes:

At the conclusion of the class, students will:

 

1. Demonstrate through a series of quizzes and tests a knowledge of:
1. ecological relationships and plant communities as they apply to the North Texas area,
2. nomenclature, uses, and horticultural requirements for canopy trees, ornamental trees, shrubs, groundcovers, grasses, and aquatic plants suitable for the various ecological zones of North Central Texas,
3. knowledge of how landscape architects evaluate plants for suitability in their designs using aesthetic, horticultural, environmental, ecological, and engineering criteria.
2. Independently prepare a comprehensive regionally appropriate plant palette from internet resources for a geographical area beyond the DFW Metroplex as designated by the professor.

 

Required Textbooks and Other Course Materials: These texts should be a part of every landscape architect’s library if they practice in Texas. You may share the texts to save money as long as you have regular access to them for the weekly quizzes.

Garrett, Howard, 2004. Texas Gardening the Natural Way . Austin: University of Texas Press. Or newest edition

Wasawski, Sally and Andy, 1997. Native Texas Plants. Houston:  Gulf Publishing Company.

The following App is required and will be used for both fieldwork and quizzes:

Flora of Texas: Fort Worth Prairie Region. Botanical Research Institute of Texas and High Country Apps, LLC.

 

Other Recommended Texts for Plant Materials in Texas: (*=highly recommended)

Arnold, Michael Aloysius, second edition 2002. Landscape Plants for Texas and Environs . Champaign: Stipes Publishing L.L.C. *

Darke, Rick, 2007. The Encylopedia of Grasses for Livable Landscapes. Portland: Timber Press. *

Diggs, George M. Jr., Barney L. Lipscomb and Robert J. O’Kennon, 1999. Shinners & Mahler’s Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas . Fort Worth: Botanical Research Institute of Texas.

Franz, Alan Dean, 2005. Perennial Gardening in Texas . Dallas: Taylor Trade Publishing. *

Garrett, Howard, 2002. Howard Garrett’s Texas Trees . Lanham: Taylor Trade Publishing. *

Ogden, Scott, 1994. Garden Bulbs for the South . Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company.

Ogden, Scott, 1992. Gardening Success with Difficult Soils . Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company. *

Ondra, Nancy J., 2002. Grasses . North Adams: Storey Books.

Sibley, David Allen, 2009. The Sibley Guide to Trees . New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. *

Simpson, Benny J., 1988. A Field Guide to Texas Trees . Houston, Gulf Publishing Company.

Van Sweden, James, 1997. Gardening with Nature . New York: Random House.

Van Sweden, James, 1995. Gardening with Water . New York: Random House.

Varney, Bill and Sylvia, 1998. Herbs . Tuscon: Ironwood Press.

Wasowski, Sally, 2002. Gardening with Prairie Plants. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. *

Welch, William C, 1989. Perennial Garden Color . Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company, 1989.

Whitcomb, Carl E., 1999. Know it and Grow It III . Stillwater, Lacebark Publications.

Wilson, E. O., 2016. Half-Earth: Our Planet's Fight for Life. New York, liverlight Publishing Corporation

 

Attendance: As the instructor of this section, I have established the following attendance policy: Attendance at all lectures and field trips is mandatory. We will work out the most convenient time for all concerned following the first class. Field trips may be on weekends or otherwise outside of regularly scheduled class time. Every two unexcused absences will lower the semester grade by one letter.

 

Beyond the time required to attend each class meeting, students enrolled in this course should expect to spend at least an additional 9 hours per week in course-related activities, including reading required materials, completing assignments, preparing for exams, etc.

 

Grading :

 

Weekly quizzes on readings, lectures, and plant lists:                                  30%

Comprehensive Midterm Exam:                                                                                15%

Final Exam:                                                                                                                              30%

Internet project:                                                                                                                   15%

Other assignments—If needed, or 10% added to internet Project:        10%

 

Students are expected to keep track of their performance throughout the semester and seek guidance from available sources (including the instructor) if their performance drops below satisfactory levels. A 50% deduction will apply to any work turned in late without a valid excuse such as a note from a doctor or prior approval by the professor.

 

Make up Exams and Quizzes

 

The lowest two quiz scores are dropped. Therefore, no make-up quizzes will be given. Exams will not be made up unless prior approval is obtained from the professor. 

Resources for Students

 

Academic Help

Academic Plaza Consultation Services library.uta.edu/academic-plaza

Ask Us ask.uta.edu/

Library Tutorials library.uta.edu/how-to

Subject and Course Research Guides libguides.uta.edu

Subject Librarians library.uta.edu/subject-librarians

 

Resources

A to Z List of Library Databases libguides.uta.edu/az.php

Course Reserves pulse.uta.edu/vwebv/enterCourseReserve.do

FabLab fablab.uta.edu/

Special Collections library.uta.edu/special-collections

Free video tutorials for most software programs: https://www.lynda.com/

 

Mission Statement:

The mission of the program in Landscape Architecture is to educate for ultimate leadership in the landscape architecture profession. This mission requires fostering rigorous scholarly inquiry of the discipline, and the preparation of knowledgeable practitioners.

 

Ownership of Student Work:

All student work submitted for evaluation is under the proprietorship of the Program (Excluded are such works that may be protected by copyright or patent rules). A representative collection of student work is essential for accreditation and is to be archived on campus for a period of six years. Therefore, it is suggested that students maintain photographs or reproductions of all work submitted, displayed in a cumulative portfolio reflecting student progress while completing the MLA at UT-Arlington.

 

Equal Opportunity Statement:

It has been, and will continue to be, the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington to be an equal opportunity employer. The University does not discriminate on any basis prohibited by applicable law including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status in recruitment, employment, promotion, compensation, benefits or training. It is also the University’s policy to maintain a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The University of Texas at Arlington is committed to seeking the best qualified person to fill each available position and will reward employees based on their job performance.

 

Final Review Week

A period of five class days prior to the first day of final examinations in the long sessions shall be designated as Final Review Week. The purpose of this week is to allow students sufficient time to prepare for final examinations. During this week, there shall be no scheduled activities such as required field trips or performances; and no instructor shall assign any themes, research problems or exercises of similar scope that have a completion date during or following this week unless specified in the class syllabus . During Final Review Week, an instructor shall not give any examinations constituting 10% or more of the final grade, except makeup tests and laboratory examinations. In addition, no instructor shall give any portion of the final examination during Final Review Week. During this week, classes are held as scheduled. In addition, instructors are not required to limit content to topics that have been previously covered; they may introduce new concepts as appropriate.

 

The Office for Students with Disabilities, (OSD) www.uta.edu/disability or calling 817-272-3364. Information regarding diagnostic criteria and policies for obtaining disability-based academic accommodations can be found at www.uta.edu/disability .

Counseling and Psychological Services, (CAPS) www.uta.edu/caps/ or calling 817-272-3671 is also available to all students to help increase their understanding of personal issues, address mental and behavioral health problems and make positive changes in their lives.

Non-Discrimination Policy: The University of Texas at Arlington does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, genetic information, and/or veteran status in its educational programs or activities it operates. For more information, visit uta.edu/eos .

 

Title IX Policy: The University of Texas at Arlington (“University”) is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment that is free from discrimination based on sex in accordance with Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs or activities; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), which prohibits sex discrimination in employment; and the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act (SaVE Act). Sexual misconduct is a form of sex discrimination and will not be tolerated. For information regarding Title IX, visit www.uta.edu/titleIX or contact Ms. Jean Hood, Vice President and Title IX Coordinator at (817) 272-7091 or jmhood@uta.edu.

 

Academic Integrity: Students enrolled all UT Arlington courses are expected to adhere to the UT Arlington Honor Code:

I pledge, on my honor, to uphold UT Arlington’s tradition of academic integrity, a tradition that values hard work and honest effort in the pursuit of academic excellence.

I promise that I will submit only work that I personally create or contribute to group collaborations, and I will appropriately reference any work from other sources. I will follow the highest standards of integrity and uphold the spirit of the Honor Code.

 

UT Arlington faculty members may employ the Honor Code in their courses by having students acknowledge the honor code as part of an examination or requiring students to incorporate the honor code into any work submitted. Per UT System Regents’ Rule 50101, §2.2, suspected violations of university’s standards for academic integrity (including the Honor Code) will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. Violators will be disciplined in accordance with University policy, which may result in the student’s suspension or expulsion from the University. Additional information is available at https://www.uta.edu/conduct/ .

 

Drop Policy:

Students may drop or swap (adding and dropping a class concurrently) classes through self-service in MyMav from the beginning of the registration period through the late registration period. After the late registration period, students must see their academic advisor to drop a class or withdraw. Drops can continue through a point two-thirds of the way through the term or session. It is the student's responsibility to officially withdraw if they do not plan to attend after registering. Students will not be automatically dropped for non-attendance . Repayment of certain types of financial aid administered through the University may be required as the result of dropping classes or withdrawing. For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships ( http://wweb.uta.edu/ses/fao ).

 

Student Support Services Available:

UT Arlington provides a variety of resources and programs designed to help students develop academic skills, deal with personal situations, and better understand concepts and information related to their courses. Resources include tutoring, major-based learning centers, developmental education, advising and mentoring, personal counseling, and federally funded programs. For individualized referrals, students may contact the Maverick Resource Hotline by calling 817-272-6107, sending a message to resources@uta.edu , or visiting www.uta.edu/resources .

 

Electronic Communication:

UT Arlington has adopted MavMail as its official means to communicate with students about important deadlines and events, as well as to transact university-related business regarding financial aid, tuition, grades, graduation, etc. All students are assigned a MavMail account and are responsible for checking the inbox regularly. There is no additional charge to students for using this account, which remains active even after graduation. Information about activating and using MavMail is available at http://www.uta.edu/oit/cs/email/mavmail.php .

 

Student Feedback Survey:

At the end of each term, students enrolled in classes categorized as lecture, seminar, or laboratory will be asked to complete an online Student Feedback Survey (SFS) about the course and how it was taught. Instructions on how to access the SFS system will be sent directly to students through MavMail approximately 10 days before the end of the term. UT Arlington’s effort to solicit, gather, tabulate, and publish student feedback data is required by state law; student participation in the SFS program is voluntary.

 

Emergency Exit Procedures: Should we experience an emergency event that requires us to vacate the building, students should exit the room and move toward the nearest exit, which is located on the fourth floor near the North side of The CAPPA building. When exiting the building during an emergency, one should never take an elevator but should use the stairwells. Faculty members and instructional staff will assist students in selecting the safest route for evacuation and will make arrangements to assist handicapped individuals.

 

Course Schedule

This course has 7-10 field trips, some of which are tours of the UTA campus to study plant materials. Field trip scheduling will depend on weather conditions. In general, trips will only be scheduled when the temperature is between the upper 40s and the low 90s-Fahrenheit and when inclement weather is not expected. One lecture class will take place each week and the other time slot for the workshop (field trips) will be at the discretion of the professor. Additionally, there may be a major workday for invasive species removal at an Arlington park.

 

The semester schedule is as follows:

 

Week 1: Introduction to the course and overview of future viable plant palettes for metropolitan areas.

 

Week 2: Weather, climate, and plant materials in North Texas.

 

Week 3: Plant morphology and using an App to identify native species

 

Week 4: Sunlight in horticulture

 

Week 5: Water in horticulture

 

Week 6: Soils in horticulture

 

Week 7: Planting for pollinators

 

Week 8: Mid-term exam

 

Week 9: Internet project assigned

 

Weeks 9-14: These weeks will be prime time for field trips as we will have the best chance of great weather.

 

Week 13: Class review of internet project

 

Week 14 or 15 depending on weather: Chinese Ligustrum removal at Crystal Canyon Park in Arlington

 

Week 16: final presentation of internet project

As the instructor for this course, I reserve the right to adjust this schedule in any way that serves the educational needs of the students enrolled in this course. –David D Hopman.

 

Emergency Phone Numbers : In case of an on-campus emergency, call the UT Arlington Police Department at 817-272-3003 (non-campus phone), 2-3003 (campus phone). You may also dial 911. Non-emergency number 817-272-3381