01.0607

(Associate of Applied Science Degree)

 

The Associate of Applied Science degree program in Commercial Turf & Grounds Management is designed to prepare students to enter careers as assistant golf course superintendents or as specialists in other areas of turf and landscape management.  Graduates may find employment in maintaining golf courses, parks, recreational facilities as well as grounds of large commercial buildings, malls and college campuses.

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) estimates the average salary of an assistant superintendent at an 18-hole golf course in Missouri to be $31,762 compared to a national average of $34,586.  The same organization also reports that the superintendent at an 18-hole course in Missouri has an average salary of $64,316 with a national average of $68,459 (GCSAA 2005 Compensation and Benefits Report.)

According to the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), there are ample career opportunities in the green industry.  Recent commercial and residential construction has increased the demand for qualified lawn care and landscape maintenance technicians who design, install, and care for these properties.  In 2006, the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that first-line supervisors of landscaping and lawn care workers earned an average of $43,170 in Missouri.  Employment of these supervisors is expected to increase by about 22 percent between 2002 and 2010.

The program at Linn State Technical College is unique in that some courses are delivered in eight-week blocks.  Internships are required and students finish the first year and second year curriculum in early March respectively.  Graduates as well as interns are available to industry in early March when golf courses, landscapers and lawn care companies are actively looking for qualified personnel.  The curriculum is rigorous, fast-paced and designed to emphasize problem solving skills as well as critical thinking.  Students will also complete the colleges core of general education courses in order to receive a degree.  The program is both physically and mentally challenging.  Classes are small and students receive individualized attention as well as hands-on training.

Program Mission
The mission of the Commercial Turf & Grounds Management program is to provide the diverse commercial turf and grounds industries of Missouri and beyond with skillful and knowledgeable employees who possess the ability to quickly advance and become members of the leadership team while earning profitable compensation.

Program Goals
The goals of the program are to:

• Provide the student the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the commercial turf and grounds management industry.
• Provide the student the opportunity to develop the attitudes to assure an appreciation of the dignity of work and the satisfaction of a job well done.
• Provide the student the opportunity to develop the knowledge and/or credentials necessary to obtain certain state and professional licensures and/or certifications.
• Provide the student the opportunity to demonstrate analytic problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Program Assessments

• Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP)

• National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI)
  
   

CTG  105   Missouri Pesticide Application.  A course designed to guide students in pursuit of the Missouri Category 3 Pesticide Applicator’s License.  This license is only available through the Missouri Department of Agriculture.  1 credit hour.
 

CTG 106   Fundamentals of Turf and Grounds.  A course designed to introduce students to fundamental terminology, theories, principles and practices that are a necessity for any person pursuing a career in specialized professions of turf and grounds.  3 credit hours.

CTG 107   Turfgrass Management I.  A course designed to introduce students to turfgrasses common to Missouri and the transition zone.  Emphasis will be placed upon turfgrass structures as a means of identification as well as turfgrass characteristics and their usage.  3 credit hours.

CTG 109   Equipment Operations and Maintenance.  A course emphasizing principles of machinery operation and maintenance common in the turf and grounds industry.  Emphasis will be placed upon proper adjustment, calibration, repair and safety.  3 credit hours.

CTG 110  Soils and Fertilizers.  A study in the origin and formation of soils with emphasis on physical and biological properties including basic principals of soil dynamics, texture, moisture, and organic matter.  Chemical properties of fertilizer and use in relation with soil properties, environmental conditions and applications are considered.  Economic factors of macronutrients and micronutrients are emphasized as well.  3 credit hours.

CTG 116  Plant Propagation.  A course containing the fundamental principles involved in plant propagation, both sexual and asexual.  Students will learn many useful techniques of propagating plants.  3 credit hours.

CTG 117  Commercial Site Contracting.  An applied mathematics course designed to teach skills utilized on a daily basis by professional turf and grounds technicians.  Emphasis will be placed upon business math, bidding, and related fundamental math skills.  Prerequisite:  MAT 030  with a grade of "C" or better or SPM 030 with a passing grade.  3 credit hours.

CTG  120  Commercial Turf and Grounds Internship.  Field-based learning experience that combines study, observation, and supervised occupational/employment with an agricultural business, organization, or government agency in the commercial turf and grounds industry.  Students will use this opportunity to apply horticultural, leadership, communications and business theories learned in a practical context.  The student intern, internship supervisor, and college coordinator develop an individual internship plan.  Prerequisites:  Department Chair approval.  1 to 8 credit hours.

CTG  201  Weeds and Diseases.  A course designed to introduce students to common weeds and diseases of ornamentals and turfgrasses.  Identification and control are emphasized.  3 credit hours.

CTG  204  Insects and Pests.  Emphasis on identification of insects and other pests on ornamentals and turfgrasses.  Control of insects will be discussed using Integrated Pest Management and pesticides.  3 credit hours.

CTG 206  Irrigation and Drainage.  A course designed to introduce students to landscape and golf course irrigation systems, their design and installation as well as drainage.  Special emphasis will be placed upon irrigation hydraulics and irrigation efficiency.  3 credit hours.

CTG 207  Turfgrass Management II.  Designed to provide advanced establishment skills in the maintenance of turf areas pertaining to golf courses, athletic fields, parks, and sod producers.  Includes golf course design, athletic field maintenance, fertilization, and mowing.  Provides information for turf and grounds professionals in the maintenance and improvement of turfgrass playing areas.  Methods of improving management practices, interpersonal skills, as well as leadership skills will be stressed.  Prerequisite:  CTG 107 with a grade of "C" or better.  3 credit hours.

CTG 209  Landscape Design and Installation.  A study of the principals of landscape design including an appreciation of various artistic and design theories utilized to produce a professional presentation.  Emphasis is placed upon practical application as well as installation practices.  3 credit hours.

CTG 210  Computer Aided Landscape Design.  A course designed to utilize the skills developed in landscape design on a personal computer.  The landscape design process will be made easier, and will come to life with the use of various design software and databases.  Prerequisite:  CTG 209 with a grade of "C" or better.  2 credit hours.

CTG  216  Woody Plant Identification.  A study in identification of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs that are commonly utilized in the landscape industry.  Techniques in maintenance of ornamentals will be presented emphasizing function in the landscape.  Methods of pruning trees and shrubs will also be demonstrated as well as ornamental attributes, cultural requirements and adaptability in urban and suburban environments.  3 credit hours.

CTG  217  Herbaceous Plant Identification.  A study in the identification of herbaceous plants, their selection, use and maintenance in landscaping.  Emphasis will be given to culture, function and individual characteristics.  3 credit hours.

CTG  220  Basic Shop for Horticulture.  A course designed to provide students with a general knowledge of basic shop principles and practices that are common in the commercial turf and grounds industry.  Students will learn how to select and utilize various tools and equipment commonly found in the shop.  Basic welding and grinding techniques will be emphasized and students will be exposed to small engine maintenance and basic hydraulics.  Shop safety will be emphasized in every phase of this course.  2 credit hours.

CTG  299  Special Topics in Commercial Turf & Grounds Management.  Special Topics in Commercial Turf & Grounds Management (CTG) may include instruction on topics not covered in other CTG courses.  Topics covered in other CTG courses may also be covered in more depth in this special topics course.  Projects may be undertaken in any area related to the major program with credit hours determined by the level and amount of involvement.  The minimum involvement required for one credit is 30 contact hours.  The specific topic(s), objectives, plan of instruction, and evaluation criteria must be documented in the syllabus; approved by the Department/Division Chair; and filed in the Academic Records Office.  Students may complete more than one Special Topics course, provided that the credits earned in this manner do not exceed a total of four (4) credits.  1-4 credit hours.