HORT 100 Introduction to Horticulture

Course name

HORT 100 Introduction to Horticulture
A course in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

Instructor

Dr. Robert M. Skirvin
258 Madigan Laboratory, 1201 Gregory Drive
(217) 333-1530
Office hours by appointment or leave a message with secretary at 333-1965
Email: skirvin@uiuc.edu
Facuty Homepage

Textbook

The required text for this course is

Introduction to horticulture

General information about HORT 100

This course is designed to offer the student a general background in the basic principles of plant growth and development as they apply to the wide range of horticultural crops and the industries related to production, marketing, and utilization of horticultural crops.

There are two sections of this class. Those in Section One are scheduled to meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in Mumford 103 at 3:00 p.m. The room is large and I would prefer that you sit near the front of the room so that I can more easily hear your questions and answer them clearly.

Those in the Discovery Section (100D) will meet with the first section on Monday and Wednesday in Mumford 103. The third meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 3:00 p.m. in room W115 Turner Hall. A general schedule of lectures will be distributed in class.

Outside classroom policy

You are encouraged to discuss any difficulties that you may have in this course in my office at the Madigan Laboratory. I usually will be available either before or after class for conferences. However, for other times, I prefer that you make an appointment with me or leave a message with my secretary at 333-1965.

Attitude

Regular attendance to lectures is expected. You will soon discover that much of the material discussed in class will not be found in the handouts.

Grading system

Announced quizzes. There will be a 10-minute quiz given each Friday (or Thursday) promptly at the beginning of the hour. The material covered in the quiz will be only material discussed in class that week. The only excuse that will be accepted for missing a quiz will be a written one from a physician. If you must miss class on Friday (or Thursday), let me know early and I will arrange for you to take the quiz early.

Examinations. There will be two 1-hour examinations covering all of the material up to the date of the examination. These will be announced at least 2 weeks in advance. Each exam will count 100 points. The final exam will not be comprehensive and will also be worth 100 points. No excuse, except that of a physician, will be acceptable for missing an exam.

Grades

10 quizzes @ 10 points each	100 points
2 exams @100 points each	200
1 final @ 100 points		100
		TOTAL		400

A = 90 to 100%
B = 80 to 89%
C = 70 to 79%
D = 60 to 69%
E = less than 60%

If you are taking this course pass/fail, 
you must get at least a C to receive credit.

Approximate lecture sequence

1. Course introduction and objectives
2. Horticulture: science, business, and art
3. Horticulture in the US and Illinois
4. Classification of horticultural plants

presentation on Rosaceae, the Rose family

5. Structure of horticultural plants
6. Physiological factors in plant growth
7. Environmental factors in plant growth

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

8. Soils and soil management
9. Plant development
10. Seed propagation
11. Asexual propagation

Modified Stems and Roots

12. Grafting laboratory

T-Bud Grafting

Planting and Training a Dwarf Apple Tree

13. Physical control of plant growth
14. Pruning and training of woody plants
15. Biological and chemical control of plant growth
16. Harvesting and marketing of horticultural crops

HORT 361 Small Fruits and Viticulture

17. Home landscaping
18. Lawn establishment and maintenance
19. Common insects and diseases in Illinois

Review Exams

	Link to the 'Everthornless' blackberry site which describes a thornless blackberry developed in Skirvin's lab
	Link to Expanding the Commercial Grape and Wine Industry in Illinois

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences

College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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