Houston Community College Horticulture Department HALT 2323 Horticultural Pest Control, CRN 17877 Katy Room 106 Mon/Wed 1:00 pm 3:00 pm Credits: 3 (2 Lecture/2 Lab) Syllabus Spring 2017 Instructor Information Jeff Koch, Ph.D. jeffrey.koch@hccs.edu Office Hours: Prior to and after class, Mon/Wed 10 am- noon; Tues/Thurs 9 am 11 am Office Telephone: (713) 718-6329 Office Location: HCC Katy Suite 228A Course Description Examination of federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing the control of horticultural pests. Topics include procedures; methods; safety requirements; integrated pest management (IPM); and chemical, natural, and biological controls. Course Goals 1. The student will understand general entomology 2. Calculate pesticide application rates 3. Determine various types of pesticides 4. Understand laws and regulations and safety requirements associated with pesticide application 5. Understand toxicology of pesticides 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 The student will describe the functions of essential elements in plants Foundation Skills - Basic -Reading Foundation Skills - Basic -Writing Calculate pesticide rates Calibrate spray equipment Foundation Skills - Thinking -Decision Making Foundation Skills - Thinking -Problem Solving List various fertilizer materials available for use on horticulture plants 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 Self-management-Students will be responsible for planning the time and using research material resources to execute research material. Seeing with the Mind s Eye- Students will be responsible for knowing the correct way to interpret economic graphs. Text Book Commercial/Non-commercial applicator General (B-5073) Laws and Regulations (B-5056) Both of these books come Texas AgriLife Extension (See form)
Student Discipline Adult behavior is expected. Disruptive behavior/activities/talking which interfere with teaching and/or learning will not be tolerated, and may result in an administrative withdrawal without refund. Electronics in the Classroom All cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off unless specifically approved by the instructor. Note the off does not mean on vibrate or mute. Academic Honesty, Plagiarism, Collusion Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, materials not authorized by the person giving the test; collaborating with another student during a test without authority; knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the contents of an administered test; or bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered. Plagiarism means the appropriation of another s work and the unacknowledged incorporation of that work in one s own written work for credit. Collusion means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work offered for credit. In simplified terms, cheating is: 1) taking unchanged passages (or slightly edited) from another person s writing and portraying them as one s own; 2) submitting a paper that includes paraphrases of another person s writing without giving credit; 3) having someone else write your paper for you; 4) copying or using another person s work during in-class writing or testing; 5) the unauthorized use of electronic devices during in-class writing or testing; and 6) violating testing rules. Keep in mind also that whether you are cheating or not, not following testing or writing rules properly, such as communicating with your neighbor or using a cell phone during a test will be construed as cheating. This is not an exhaustive list of the forms of cheating or written work. If you are in doubt, consult your instructor. Attendance and Withdrawal Policies Page 2, HCCS Student Handbook Students are expected to attend classes regularly. Instructors check class attendance daily. The instructor or the counselor 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 6 hours of instruction (including lecture and laboratory time). The last date for administrative withdrawal is Monday, April 3, 2017. You must notify the instructor prior to this date if you wish to be withdrawn from the class. If you do not notify the instructor, you will receive an F for the class. Students who take a course for the third time or more must now pay significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. At HCC it is an additional $50 per credit hour. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing grades, confer with your instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study habits, reading and writing homework, test-taking skills, attendance, course participation, and opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be available. Also, the state of Texas
has passed a new law limiting new students (as of Fall 2007) to no more than six withdrawals throughout their academic career in obtaining a baccalaureate degree. 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 (713-718-5422) at the respective college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office. Course Requirements and Grading Policy The students will be tested several times through the semester via various tests and as well as a final exam will be given. Quizzes will be given periodically through the semester. Homework assignments will be given throughout the semester. EGLS3 EVALUATION FOR GREATER LEARNING STUDENT SURVEY SYSTEM At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to answer a short online survey of research-based questions related to instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be made available to your professors and division chairs for continual improvement of instruction. Look for the survey as part of the Houston Community College Student System online near the end of the term. Title IX- Department of Education issued a mandate requiring that colleges communicate with students regarding Title IX objectives. Discrimination Students should be aware that discrimination and/or other harassment based on race, sex, gender identity and gender expression, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, color or veteran status is prohibited by HCC Policy G.1 Discrimination and Harassment and D.1.1 Equal Educational Opportunities. Any student who feels they have been discriminated against or harassed on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, color or veteran status including sexual harassment, has the opportunity to seek informal or formal resolution of the matter. All complaints/concerns should be directed to the Office of Institutional Equity, 713 718-8271 or oie@hccs.edu. Additional information may be obtained online. Visit http://www.hccs.edu/district/departments/institutionalequity/
Tentative Grading Grades will be based on the following: Exam 1 Exam 2 Quizzes/Assignments Insect Cards Insect Collection Presentations Final Exam 100 pts. 100 pts 150 pts. 100 pts 100 pts. 50 pts. 100 pts. Total: 700 pts. Evaluation Percentage 100-90% 700-630 pts 89%-80% 79-70% 69-60% 629-560 pts 559-490 pts 489-420 pts Grade A B C D F < 59% < 419 pts Make-up Policy Students are expected to be in class for all exams; however, if a makeup exam is necessary, the instructor will determine the format and date to be completed. If the make up exam is not completed within a week of the scheduled exam, the student will receive a zero for the exam grade Projects and Assignments Two projects will be assigned during the course of this class. These projects will include completing a series of 3 x5 index cards on several items (including beneficial and nonbeneficial insects, diseases, and plant damage). Students will also be required to provide an insect collection. The instructor will provide details and information about the project and how it will be graded. Homework/lab assignments will be given throughout the semester.
Tentative Course Calendar: HALT 2323 Horticultural Pest Control Week Topic 1 Introduction to the class Laws and Regulations 2 Laws and Regulations 3 Pesticide Mode of Action 4 General Entomology 5 EXAM 1 6 General Pesticide Safety 7 General Pesticide Safety 8 Pesticide Toxicology/Pesticides in the Environment 9 Calibrating Spray Equipment/Managing Drift 10 EXAM 2 11 Beneficial Organisms 12 Insects 13 Insects Continued 14 Plant Diseases/Insect Index Cards Due 15 Plant Diseases/Insect Collections Due 16 Final Exam