I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Retaining Wall & Fence Construction

2. Course Prefix & Number:
HORT 2150

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 4

Lecture Hours: 2

Lab Hours: 4

4. Course Description:

This course presents construction techniques for a variety of retaining walls using several different construction materials. Smaller construction projects such as benches, arbors, and containers will be covered as time permits. Landscape installation and maintenance practices such as mulching, edging, and weed control will also be discussed. Estimating and bidding procedures will also be covered. Practical hands on training will be provided as much as time and weather permit.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

No placement tests required

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

3. Prior Learning - the following prior learning methods are acceptable for this course:

• Written
• Portfolio

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Landscape Technology, Diploma

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Analyze and follow a sequence of operations	Analyze and determine the proper sequence of designing and installing a retaining wall.
Work as a team member to achieve shared goals	Create and construct a retaining wall together as a crew/team.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Indentify tools and all the different types of materials used;
• Demonstrate safety practices and proper maintenance of tools;
• Learn techniques of building and constructing walls out of different materials;
• Diagram steps in constructing timber retaining walls;
• Explain advantages and disadvantages of various wood preservatives;
• Calculating quantity takeoffs;
• Determine wholesale cost of materials;
• Determine retail price of projects;
• Calculate labor charges for installation;
• Describe fence construction techniques;
• Perform the appropriate steps while constructing an S. R. W. regaining want; and
• Design a boulder retaining wall.

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Before Construction Begins
• The Landscape Construction Process
• Legal Requirements
• Interpreting Construction Documents
• Construction Math
• Project Pricing
• Safety in the Workplace
• Basic Construction Techniques and Equipment Operations
• Construction Staking
2. Site Preparation
• Preservation of Existing Site Elements
• Removing Unwanted Site Elements
3. Grading, Site Drainage, and Erosion Protection
• Site Grading
• Site Drainage
• Erosion Control
4. Site Utilities
• Utility Systems
• Electrical Work
• Irrigation Systems
5. Landscape Retaining Walls and Stairs
• Materials and Installation Techniques for Retaining Walls
• Tie and Timber Retaining Walls
• Segmental Precast Unit Retaining Walls
• Dry-Laid Stone Retaining Walls
• Stairs  

2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions

1. Before Construction Begins
• The Landscape Construction Process
• Legal Requirements
• Interpreting Construction Documents
• Construction Math
• Project Pricing
• Safety in the Workplace
• Basic Construction Techniques and Equipment Operations
• Construction Staking
2. Site Preparation
• Preservation of Existing Site Elements
• Removing Unwanted Site Elements
3. Grading, Site Drainage, and Erosion Protection
• Site Grading
• Site Drainage
• Erosion Control
4. Site Utilities
• Utility Systems
• Electrical Work
• Irrigation Systems
5. Landscape Retaining Walls and Stairs
• Materials and Installation Techniques for Retaining Walls
• Tie and Timber Retaining Walls
• Segmental Precast Unit Retaining Walls
• Dry-Laid Stone Retaining Walls
• Stairs