The mission of The Barnes Foundation is to promote the advancement of education and the
appreciation of fine arts and horticulture. Our objectives are to provide a learning
environment in which students can explore concepts and ideas toward improving their
lives and the lives of others. Our approach guides the student in a process of intense
observation seeking correlation and meaning through personal experience and aesthetic
awareness. Students in our aesthetics program learn to see and think like an artist,
learning to read the visual world and think critically. Those studying in the arboretum
school experience a comprehensive course of study in the botanical sciences, horticulture
practices, garden aesthetics and design.
The aesthetics and horticulture programs continue to offer courses based on Barnes' and
Dewey's theories and offer contemporary research and ideas for 21st century learning.
Classes meet one day each week in the Gallery of The Barnes Foundation.
The Education Department telephone number is (610) 667-0290, ext. 2259.
Founded in 1940, by Laura Leggett Barnes, the school offers a comprehensive course of study
in the botanical sciences, horticulture practices, garden aesthetics and design.
Students receive a Certificate of Achievement upon satisfactory completion of the
three-year program, or may take the courses for undergraduate credit. Transcript
and credit recommendation service is provided by the American Council on Education.
Previous technical knowledge or training in the subjects though not required, are useful.
Regular attendance and satisfactory completion of all assignments are required.
A well-trained faculty provides expert instruction and guidance in the horticultural arts
and sciences. Students learn and practice in the 12-acre arboretum and in the
state-of-the-art greenhouse in Merion.
A curriculum that includes a combination of classroom lecture, self-directed learning and
hands-on practices develops well-informed practitioners who may choose to work in public
gardens or develop their own business. Arboretum plants supplement the educational
activities by illustrating plant characters, such as form, texture, color, seasonal
change and floral display. The collection represents aesthetic values and botanical
and horticultural interests.
Classes meet one time weekly in the Arboretum House, 57 Lapsley Lane, Merion, Pennsylvania,
unless otherwise noted. The Arboretum telephone number is (610) 664-2937.
The Education Department telephone number is (610) 667-0290, ext. 2259.
- Garden Appreciation and Record Keeping -
Schedule and Instructor: 42 hours (14 weeks), Gay Kimelman, horticulturist
Objective: By observing throughout the seasons the habits, colors, textures, shapes, and
ornamental features of the plants and gardens in The Barnes Foundation's Arboretum, students will
learn the process of the study of plants and to assess the use of individual plants in landscape design.
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to
identify the plants in the Foundation’s Arboretum by their Latin names; recognize the
seasonal changes and the significant characteristics of plants, including flower, fruit, or
other ornamental qualities; identify the growth habits of plants, including the
arrangement, color, and texture of leaves; and understand the visual effect a plant has in
the landscape. Students will also learn the importance of keeping a garden journal to track
the growth, seasonal changes, and landscape value of a plant throughout the year.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category, 3 semester hours in horticulture
- Introduction to Design for Horticulturists -
Schedule and Instructor: 24.5 hours (14 weeks), Cricket Brien, MLA, Olin
Partnership
Objective: To explore visual communication and interpretation through the study of the
principles and elements of design found in The Barnes Foundation's Gallery and
Arboretum collections; and to prepare the student for the second semester of study in
Introduction to Landscape Design
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of the course, students will
understand the basic elements, principles of design, and aesthetic motives employed by
artists and landscape designers.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category, 2 semester hours in horticulture
- Introduction to Landscape Design -
Schedule and Instructor: 24.5 hours (14 weeks), Cricket Brien, MLA, Olin
Partnership
Objective: To understand processes, techniques, and skills required to develop a
landscape design plan
Learning Outcome: Upon the successful completion of the course, students will be
able to conceptualize a basic design for a specific landscape site; take measurements for a
site evaluation; assess a site for plant selection by considering conditions pertaining to
location, light, season, and climate; calculate basic estimates of the time required for the
growth and fulfillment of a landscape design; and develop the necessary skills to create a
drawing and three-dimensional model for a landscape design.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category, 2 semester hours in horticulture
- Plant Structure and Function -
Schedule and Instructor: 21 hours (14 weeks), Ann Mickle, PhD, professor, LaSalle
University
Objective: To understand basic higher plant structure and function
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of the course, students will
understand the typical morphology of higher plants, and they will be familiar with basic
physiology at the cell, tissue, organ, and plant levels. Students will learn the processes of
cell division, including mitosis and meiosis, and the structure of basic food chains and
webs.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category, 1 semester hour in horticulture
- Survey of the Plant Kingdom -
Schedule and Instructor: 21 hours (14 weeks), Ann Mickle, PhD, professor, LaSalle
University
Objective: To provide an overview of organisms classified as plants as well as organisms
that have been historically grouped with plants
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of the course, students will
understand the structure of each of the major groups of plants, the human relevance of
plants, and the important evolutionary advances leading to the origin of seed plants.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category, 1 semester hour in horticulture
- Principles of Plant Systematics -
Schedule and Instructor: 42 hours (28 weeks), Alfred E. Schuyler, PhD, curator
emeritus, botany, Academy of Natural Sciences
Objective: To acquire basic knowledge of the evolutionary history of botany and skills
for plant identification
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of the course, students will have a
comprehensive knowledge of plants, plant relationships and classification strategies,
evolutionary theory, the history of plant groups, and the importance of biodiversity and
species conservation.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category, 3 semester hours in horticulture
- Cultivated Trees and Shrubs -
Schedule and Instructor: 49 hours (28 weeks), Frederick H. Ray, MS, horticulturist
Objective: To acquire knowledge of both the common and noteworthy woody trees,
shrubs, and vines in The Barnes Foundation's Arboretum
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to
use basic diagnostic tools to identify common woody plants from assigned weekly lists,
and they will be familiar with the cultural needs and landscape uses of plants.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category, 3 semester hours in horticulture
- Garden Practicum -
Schedule and Instructor: 42 hours (28 weeks), Jim Bobb, horticulturalist
Objective: To provide instruction about and hands-on experience with various
gardening practices
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to
demonstrate competent gardening skills in planning, planting, propagation, and
maintenance of various plants, gardens, container plants, and garden tools.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category, 3 semester hours in horticulture
- Herbaceous Plants -
Schedule and Instructor: 49 hours (28 weeks), Jules Bruck, PhD, owner, Evolution
Landscape Design
Objective: To become familiar with and to be able to identify common herbaceous
plants (perennials, annuals, bulbs, ornamental grasses, and ferns)
Learning Outcome: Upon completion of the course, students will be able to group ten
or more plants based on their similarity of cultural characteristics, identify each plant's
season of flower or interest, propagate herbaceous plants using at least two different
techniques, identify characteristics of the major plant families, and select appropriate
plants for landscape and garden designs.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category, 3 semester hours in horticulture
- History of Gardens and Landscape Architecture -
Schedule and Instructors: 42 hours (28 weeks), Jenny Rose Carey, Ambler College,
Temple University; Elizabeth McClean, garden historian; and Harriet Henderson, BFLA,
MArch
Objective: To enrich the understanding of landscape design and horticulture by studying
the history of gardens, from Eastern and Western origins to contemporary design
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to
describe major developments in the history of gardens throughout the centuries. Students
will also recognize historical influences in garden design and spatial development.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category, 3 semester hours in horticulture
- Horticulture Practices and Plant Culture -
Schedule and Instructor: 56 hours (28 weeks), Bruce Keyser, Keyser Design
Associates
Objective: To acquire basic knowledge about the propagation of woody plants and
orchids, advanced pruning techniques, plant culture, and hardscaping
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to
demonstrate competent horticultural techniques and skills, especially in propagation,
pruning, and hardscape construction.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category, 3 semester hours in horticulture
- Integrated Pest Management -
Schedule and Instructor: 14 hours (7 weeks), Casey Sclar, PhD, IPM coordinator,
Longwood Gardens
Objective: To understand the biology and management of both pest and beneficial
insects and mites
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to
recognize the most common insects and mites at the order level and understand their
biology. They will also be able to identify arthropod damage symptoms on plants in
ornamental landscapes and determine appropriate control recommendations.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category, 1 semester hour in horticulture
- Landscape Architecture II -
Schedule and Instructor: 28 hours (14 weeks), Victor DePallo, ALA, principal,
DePallo Associates
Objective: To develop the student's individual design style by studying and
understanding the landscape design process
Learning Outcome: Upon completion of the course, students will be able to conduct a
site analysis, select appropriate plant materials, produce design drawings, and design and
execute a small landscape design project.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category, 2 semester hours in horticulture
- Landscape Architecture III -
Schedule and Instructor: 28 hours (14 weeks), Victor DePallo, ALA, principal,
DePallo Associates
Objective: To examine construction challenges of landscape design and to develop basic
problem-solving skills in the application of the design
Learning Outcome: Upon completion of the course, students will have refined design
skills and basic knowledge of elements of landscape construction and cost estimating.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category, 2 semester hours in horticulture
- Plant Disease Identification and Control -
Schedule and Instructor: 14 hours (7 weeks), Kathryn Belville, CAPD, manager,
Bartlett Tree Experts
Objective: To understand the most common biotic and abiotic diseases in the Delaware
Valley
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to
identify signs and symptoms of common woody plant diseases, understand the diagnostic
process and the importance of performing a systematic assessment, and comprehend the
concepts of abiotic disorder and predisposing stresses.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category, 1 semester hour in horticulture
- Plant Genetics -
Schedule and Instructor: 14 hours (7 weeks), Jacob Thomas, PhD, director,
Arboretum of The Barnes Foundation
Objective: To learn the basic genetic principles and processes involved in reproduction
and propagation of plants
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to
describe the structure and function of DNA, genes, and chromosomes, and they will
understand mitosis, meiosis, and transmission of characteristics through generations using
Mendelian laws in relation to propagation and reproduction of plants.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category, 1 semester hour in horticulture
- Soil Science -
Schedule and Instructor: 14 hours (7 weeks), Scott Guiser, extension agent,
Pennsylvania State Agricultural Extension Service
Objective: To understand soil formation and properties and how soil influences the
growth of plants
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to
identify the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils; understand the
mechanical and chemical processes of soil formation; identify how soil properties
influence plant growth; and describe management techniques that affect those properties.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category, 1 semester hour in horticulture
To register please
click here to print a registration form and return with tuition to:
The Barnes Foundation, c/o Education Department, 300 N. Latch's Lane,
Merion, PA 19066. Telephone: 610-667-0290, ext 2259. Fax: 610-664-4026.
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