All course information is listed within this syllabus.
TURF 235: The Turfgrass (3 credits). Characterization of the primary plant species used for sports, lawns, and turf; includes turfgrass morphology, environmental adaptation, and cultural requirements.
Prerequisites: None
Instructor
Bradley Jakubowski
Assistant Teaching Professor
Department of Plant Science
206 Tyson Building
University Park, PA 16802
E-mail: Use Canvas Inbox
If you need to contact me regarding this course use the Canvas Inbox. I will respond within 48 hours during the week and by the end of business Monday following the weekend.
Course Overview
TURF 235 provides the foundation on which the other courses (ENT 317, PPATH 412, TURF 238, TURF 425, TURF 434, TURF 435, and TURF 436W) build. The focus of TURF 235 is to introduce students to the concepts, terminology, and processes involved in turfgrass management. This course provides a broad overview of turfgrass management; its coverage includes turf quality, turfgrass growth and development, turfgrass species, the turfgrass environment (including atmospheric and soil components of the environment), cultural practices (e.g., mowing, fertilization, irrigation, cultivation, topdressing, etc.), pest management (weeds, diseases, insects and other pests), and turf establishment.
TURF 235 is the logical "first course" in the certificate program in Turfgrass Management offered through the World Campus at Penn State. It is a 15-week course which means that your course has an established start and end date. The units of study are all located within our password-protected course website. Like taking a course on campus, it will be important for you to keep up with the coursework. For a more detailed look at what this course will entail, see the schedule below.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of TURF 235, students will have:
- developed an understanding of concepts related to turfgrass management including:
- how turfgrasses grow and develop
- the nature of the physical environment in which turfgrasses occur
- the cultural operations performed in turfgrass management, and
- turfgrass species characteristics, including identification, environmental adaptation, cultural requirements, and uses
- applied concepts to solve simple problems in turfgrass management
- evaluated sources for turfgrass information
- practiced responsible use of AI in researching turfgrass management questions
Course Schedule
For due dates, refer to the Course Summary on the Syllabus page in Canvas.
Course Materials
Required
ISBN: 978-1-7332881-0-1 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-1-7332881-1-8 (Digital PDF)
Turgeon, A. J., & Kaminski, J. E. (2019). Turfgrass Management Edition 1.0. Turfpath, LLC.
Either format can be purchased. Students purchase from the Turfpath website. Although ebook versions are available for purchase, make sure to choose either the hardcover or digital pdf version of the book.
Class Policies and Procedures
The policies and procedures described herein will be strictly enforced to ensure fairness for all students.
Use of Generative AI Tools
This course includes materials that were created in part using generative AI tools. You are not required to use generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Bing AI Chat) to complete this course. You may choose to use generative AI tools for the following cases only:
Researching module topics to expand your own understanding of the module concepts. In this manner, it is like consulting alternate textbooks for an explanation of concepts. Remember, however, that the assignments and exams are designed to test your knowledge of the module concepts, using the terminology, and as expressed in the Canvas modules.
Checking the language quality of an essay or long text answer that you have composed. The AI tool can make recommendations for you to improve readability, grammar, and generally make your writing more professional.
If you do use a generative AI tool, you should use Microsoft Copilot (Bing Chat) on the Penn State enterprise account. Precise mode is recommended.
Use of generative AI tools is not permitted for the following uses in this course:
- composing answers to the questions in assignments and exams with little or no writing and thinking on your part
- looking up answers to quiz and exam questions
Assignments/Exams
Challenge Questions
The 6 challenge question assignments are 40% of your grade. They are worth a total of 200 points.
Challenge questions consist of essay questions asking you to respond to scenarios or problems relevant to materials that are being studied. Challenge questions may involve material and key concepts from multiple modules throughout the course, giving you the opportunity to apply what you have been learning. In addition, you will examine related information sources for accuracy, reliability, and relevance to the given situation.
Quizzes
There are 24 quizzes within the course—one for each module for a total of 100 points. The first 4 quizzes are each worth 5 points. The remaining quizzes are each worth 4 points. You have 30 minutes to complete each quiz. You have up to 5 attempts to complete the quiz and the highest score will be recorded. The questions are just like those you will find on the exams.
Practice!
Exams
There are two one-hour exams and a comprehensive two-hour final exam. Together, all three of these exams make up 40% of your grade. Each one-hour exam is worth 50 points and the final exam is worth 100 points. All exams are online and multiple-choice.
The turnaround time for graded assignments is generally one week or less.
Late Submission of Assignments
Late submissions are not accepted unless due to a documented excusable reason. In such cases, notify your instructor prior to the assignment deadline for consideration.
Grading Policy
The following table is the grading criteria for the course.
Requirement | Cumulative Point Value | Weight |
---|---|---|
Challenge Questions | 200 | 40% |
Quizzes | 100 | 20% |
Exams | 200 | 40% |
TOTAL: | 500 | 100% |
The following table is the grading scheme for the course.
Letter Grade | Percentage | Points |
---|---|---|
A | 100% – 94% | 470–500 |
A- | < 94% – 90% | 450–469 |
B+ | < 90% – 87% | 435–449 |
B | < 87% – 83% | 415–434 |
B- | < 83% – 80% | 400–414 |
C+ | < 80% – 75% | 375–399 |
C | < 75% – 70% | 350–374 |
D | < 70% – 60% | 300–349 |
F | < 60% | < 300 |
Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Undergraduate Courses for additional information.
Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please see "Graduation" under World Campus Student Resources.
Online Students Use of the Library
As Penn State students, you have access to many of the materials that the library offers to students. The library website has a lot to offer but can be overwhelming. A guide has been created to serve as your introduction to important library resources, services, and important pages within the library. The Online Student Library Guide is updated regularly by the online librarian. It is intended to provide a level of comfort through an introduction to help you feel comfortable navigating the library website to find valuable information for your coursework.
Technical Requirements
This course is offered online and it is assumed you possess the minimum system requirements and computing skills to participate effectively. A list of technical requirements is listed on World Campus' Penn State Technical Requirements page.
Minimum Skills
- You should have an understanding of basic computer usage (creating folders/directories, switching between programs, formatting and backing up media, accessing the internet).
- You must be able to conduct word processing tasks such as creating, editing, saving, and retrieving documents.
- You must be able to use a web browser to open web pages, download files, and search the internet.
- You must be able to use an e-mail program to send and receive messages and to attach and download documents/files.
- You must be able to download and install programs or plug-ins from the internet.
Getting Help With Canvas Courses
Canvas support is available 24/7 via chat or phone.
It is in your own best interest to be as specific as you possibly can. Try to include information such as the specific course page, quiz question, etc. you were on; what you attempted to do when that failed; the exact language of any error message displayed on your screen; the date and time when your problem occurred; and any other pertinent information (does the problem happen consistently and always in the same way, etc.).
Support Services
As a student, you have access to a variety of services and resources, including advising, tutoring, library services, career services, and more. Please visit the following resources for more information:
- World Campus Student Services
- Penn State Student Support Resources for University Park and Commonwealth campuses
Accessibility Information
Netiquette
The term "Netiquette" refers to the etiquette guidelines for electronic communications, such as e-mail and discussion postings. Netiquette covers not only rules to maintain civility in discussions but also special guidelines unique to the electronic nature of messages. Please review Virginia Shea's "The Core Rules of Netiquette" for general guidelines that should be followed when communicating in this course.
Penn State Policies
Login Policy
Students are expected to log in regularly to keep up to date with announcements, discussions, etc. The class will progress at a regular pace throughout the semester and there are specific due dates and times for assignments, etc.
Course Availability
Your course will be available to you beginning the first day of class and will remain open for one year. After one year the course will close.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest, and responsible manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this principle.
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity, an academic integrity violation is "an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically." Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean's List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
You can learn more at The College of Agricultural Sciences Academic Integrity Information for Students.
Educational Equity Statement
Penn State takes great pride in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity on the Bias Response page.
Privacy Policies
For information about Penn State's privacy statement and what it encompasses, please read their Web Privacy Statement. Visit Penn State's FERPA Guidelines for Faculty and Staff page for information regarding its rules governing the privacy of student educational records.
Copyright Notice
All course materials students receive or to which students have online access are protected by copyright laws. Students may use course materials and make copies for their own use as needed, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor's express permission is strictly prohibited. University Policy AD40, Recording of Classroom Activities and Note-Taking Services, addresses this issue. Students who engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the University's Code of Conduct, and/or liable under federal and state laws.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Many students at Penn State face personal challenges or have psychological needs that may interfere with their academic progress, social development, or emotional well-being. The University offers a variety of confidential services to help you through difficult times, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultations, online chats, and mental health screenings. These services are provided by staff who welcome all students and embrace a philosophy respectful of clients' cultural and religious backgrounds, and sensitive to differences in race, ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
- Counseling and Psychological Services at University Park (CAPS): 814-863-0395
- Counseling and Psychological Services at Commonwealth Campuses
- Penn State Crisis Line (24 hours/7 days/week): 1-877-229-6400
- Crisis Text Line (24 hours/7 days/week): Text LIONS to 741741
Accommodations for Persons With Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources website provides contact information for every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the Student Disability Resources page.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Accommodations for Military Personnel
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or spouses with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, disabilities, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Use of Trade Names
Where trade names are used, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by World Campus, Outreach and Cooperative Extension, the College of Agricultural Sciences, or The Pennsylvania State University is implied.
Subject to Change Statement
Please note that this Course Syllabus is subject to change. Students are responsible for abiding by such changes.
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search to start planning ahead.
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search to start planning ahead.