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Syllabus: 

Course Description:
This course is designed for students with an interest in pursuing a career in the landscape industry or other horticulture related fields. The material included in the course is designed to educate students on knowledge essential to the landscape industry and prepare them for the Texas Certified Landscape Associate (TCLA) exam.
This course is designed in a twelve-week structure with a total of 540 points possible. These points are divided between quizzes, class activities, and the final pre-exam. Quizzes and the final pre-exam will be graded on a percentage scale, while class activities will be a completion grade, resulting in either a 100 or zero percent. The dates described for homework are aligned with the topic instruction but reading/studying ahead is recommended.

Course Objectives:
Throughout this course, students will gain new insights and professional thinking strategies used in horticulture that are essential to success in the landscape industry. To develop their professional thinking, by the end of this course, students should be able to:
By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• 1)Understand basic first aid and safety procedures and what to do during emergencies.
• 2)Review and interpret landscape design plans.
• 3)Understand the movement of water and nutrients through soil-plant continuum and relate this to plant establishment, fertility and efficient water management.
• 4)Explain the process for constructing and installing a landscape.
• 5)Develop turf grass identification and maintenance skills.
• 6)Identify and discuss the various types of hardscape features that can be found in landscapes.
• 7)Learn proper landscape equipment and equipment maintenance practices.
• 8)Develop an understanding of a basic irrigation system.
• 9)Understand the structure of landscape plants and relate this to proper maintenance, particularly pruning, insect and disease management and fertility.

The main goal of completing this curriculum is preparing students to be able to complete the TCLA exam with a grade of 70 percent or higher. This will allow them to gain credibility and prestige in the landscape industry and increase their value as future employees or continuing education in a related field.

Student Requirements:

• Be actively enrolled in a horticulture related High School program
• Be at least 16 years of age at the time of course completion
• Complete this course with a grade of 70 percent or higher (210 total points or more)

Required Materials:

• TNLA TCLA Training Manual: First Edition
• TNLA Best of Texas Landscape Guide
• TCLA High School PowerPoint modules, class activities, and quizzes
• Access to computer, internet, and camera phone