All course information is listed within this syllabus.

HORT 169N: Fundamentals of Home Landscaping: An Introduction to Design, Construction, and Maintenance (3 credits). This course offers broad coverage of the environmental, human, technological, and aesthetic issues associated with residential landscape design. Beginning with the way we perceive, manage, and design the landscape, the course examines the arrangement of land, water, plant forms, and structures for their best use and greater enjoyment. Relying on actual procedures and underlying principles utilized by experienced residential landscape designers, the course will introduce students to basic design principles, concepts, and specific procedures for preparing site plans and associated documents. The course will also explore designing with and general care of plants, assorted hardscape types, and how to properly assess a site. From choosing trees, shrubs, and ground covers that are correct for the site to properly installing patios, decks, and walkways, students will be presented with the varied ways plants and hardscapes are installed and maintained. The course will conclude with students completing a design for a residential site.

Prerequisites: None

HORT 169N fulfills a general education requirement for arts (GA) as well as for natural sciences (GN).

Instructor

Instructor for HORT 169N.

Michael R. Mohney, Ph.D.
Associate Teaching Professor of Landscape Contracting

Department of Plant Science
302 Tyson Building
University Park, PA 16802

Phone (Office): 814-865-6596
E-mail: Use Canvas Inbox or mrm126@psu.edu

Office Hours: By Appointment / Zoom

Course Objectives

  • Describe how to interpret the visual elements used during the overall landscape design process, including drawings and graphics tools, and apply this knowledge to the development of personal design concepts.
  • Describe the elements and principles of design, identify examples in various landscape images, and discuss how the elements and principles of design were utilized in the landscape design process.
  • Identify, collect, and analyze necessary information using appropriate technologies and analytical techniques as they relate to identified landscape issues and explore alternative design or planning solutions to the identified problem(s).
  • Identify and describe various plant characteristics, surface materials, and enclosures used to create and enhance exterior design spaces and describe the functional applications and configurations used for these materials.
  • Explain how to visualize the landscape site and design space as outdoor rooms and apply standard design principles to enhance the appearance of residential and commercial outdoor spaces and discuss the impact these landscapes have on the environment and human enjoyment.

Course Outline

Module 1: State of the Landscape Industry

Module 2: Introduction to the Base Map

Module 3: Site Inventory, Analysis, and Design Program

Module 4: Functional Diagram — Developing a Design Solution

Module 5: Form Study — Working With Design Themes

Module 6: Introduction to the Residential Master Plan

Module 7: Designing With Plants

Module 8: Selecting Plants for Your Design

Module 9: Hardscape Material Composition

Module 10: Construction Methods and Project Pricing

Module 11: Creating Plant Beds

Module 12: Health and Maintenance of Plants

Modules 13 and 14: Design Your Own Landscape Using 3D Software

Module 15: Your Video Presentation on the Final 3D Project

Course Schedule

For due dates, refer to the Course Summary on the Syllabus page in Canvas.

Course Materials

Readings and additional supporting course material will be through PDFs, website links, and YouTube videos.

Required

Removable storage media device such as a USB flash memory drive (16 GB or higher) or a portable hard drive. For a cloud storage option, check out OneDrive, offered through Office 365.

The following drawing/drafting equipment is necessary for this course:

  • Mechanical pencil — preferred
  • Sharpie marker — fine point and ultra fine point
  • 12" ruler — 1/16" increments
  • 8.5 x 11 trace paper — roll or tablet
  • 12–24 pack of colored pencils — Crayola brand

Realtime Landscaping Architect

This course requires the use of Realtime Landscaping Architect for your final project. The software is PC platform only and is available in several options:

  • Free trial — fully functional, but contains a small number of plants and other objects (preferred)
  • Architect — for landscape professionals (optional) ($599.00)
  • Pro — for homeowners and aspiring landscape designers (optional) ($279.00)
  • Plus — for homeowners (optional) ($149.00)

For those using a Mac platform, you will need to download and install Boot Camp Assistant to install Windows 10 on your Mac.

If you have any questions or issues regarding the software, reach out to software support.

For questions about installation, purchase, or registration:

For those using touchpad laptops, a three-button mouse is strongly recommended to properly navigate the software interface.

If needed, review the privacy policy of Idea Spectrum.

Assignments

Grades will be based on the evaluation of weekly quizzes, module assignments, and a final project and presentation. Check Canvas for requirements and due dates.

Course Quizzes

Quizzes are timed. Students will have until the due date to complete them. No make-up is provided.

Module Assignments

One excused late submission will be granted for one module assignment during the semester only if prior arrangements have been made before the due date. An excused late submission for a module assignment will not be accepted after 24 hours of the original due date unless otherwise approved by the instructor(s). This policy does not apply to the final design project and presentation.

All module assignments are due at the end of the week (Sunday 11:59 p.m. EST). Assignments submitted after the due date will be assessed a late penalty of 5% per day until submitted. Late assignments will not be accepted five (5) days after the due date unless prior arrangements have been made with the professor.

Final Project and Presentation

Late submissions for the final project and presentation will be granted only if the absence was excused in advance and/or constitutes a university-recognized activity before the due dates.

Grading Policy

The following table is the grading criteria for the course.

Grading Criteria
Requirement Cumulative Point Value
Weekly Quizzes 120
Module Assignments 290
Final Project 50
Final Presentation 50
TOTAL: 510

The following table is the grading scheme for the course.

Grading Scheme
Letter Grade Percentage
A 100% – 94%
A- < 94% – 90%
B+ < 90% – 87%
B < 87% – 84%
B- < 84% – 80%
C+ < 80% – 77%
C < 77% – 70%
D < 70% – 60%
F < 60%

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.

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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.

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Penn State Policies

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Copyright Notice

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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.

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Subject to Change Statement

Please note that this Course Syllabus is subject to change. Students are responsible for abiding by such changes.

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