FORS 8200 - Scientific Research in Forest Resources

Spring 2000

Instructor:         Dr. Jeffrey F.D. Dean
Office:              Rm 3-211,
Phone:              542-1710
email:               jeffdean@uga.edu

Office Hours:     1:15 - 3:15 PM, W & F
Class Meeting:   12:20-1:10 PM, W & F
                          Forestry Rm 1-307

Goals for this course

• develop an understanding of the scientific method and its use to gain reliable knowledge;
• study and discuss appropriate scientific conduct and ethics;
• enhance skills for written and verbal communication of scientific ideas and information.

Assignments

1) Research Proposal (40% of Grade)

Ideally, students will write a research proposal describing the scientific research they will carry out for their thesis or dissertation project. If students have already prepared such a document for other purposes, they will need to select a different problem for which to develop a proposal for this course. Occasionally, students working on research projects in such topical areas as policy and finance find it necessary to develop proposals more appropriate for a scientific research project. (Please discuss this with the instructor at the earliest possible date.) The research proposal will be subdivided into the following arbitrary sections, with each section plus all preceding sections due on the dates indicated below.

• Part 1             Problem Statement, Justification, and Literature Cited         Feb 9
• Parts 1+2       Objectives/Hypotheses, and Approach                               Mar 3
• Parts 1-3        Methods and Potential Pitfalls                                             Mar 29
• Parts 1-4        Timetable, Facilities, Permits, and Budget                           April 12
• Final Version   Polished and Revised, Pts. 1-4                                          May 3

Two copies of each version of the proposal are to be brought to class on the due date; one copy is for the instructor, while the second copy is exchanged with a classmate who serves as peer reviewer. All versions submitted after the first review are expected to incorporate suggestions from previous reviews. It is critical that proposals be brought to class on the due date in order to maintain order in the review process (see below). Expect severe penalties and no leniency for failure to submit sections on time.

2) Research Proposal Reviews (30% of Grade)

Students will prepare written reviews of their classmates's research proposals at each stage. A series of questions to guide the review process will be handed out in class. The written reviews should focus on the proposal section prepared most recently, but must also address previous sections, particularly when they detract from the section added most recently. No student will review the same proposal twice. The instructor will provide feedback on each proposal at least twice prior to the final due date. Thus, each proposal will receive evaluation from 5 individuals prior to submission of the final version. Efforts will be made to ensure that at least some reviews come from students working in areas outside the author's field. Two copies of each review must be brought to class on the designated dates -- one for the instructor and one for the author of the proposal. Class time will be made available to discuss the proposal and the reviewer's comments.

3) Oral Presentations (20% of Grade)

Twice during the semester students will select from their research proposal literature review a research paper on which to base a 10-12 minute oral presentation for the class. Appropriate research papers will contain actual data from experimental studies. All papers for presentation must be pre-approved by the instructor, and complete copies of the paper must be given to the instructor before presentation slots are assigned. Slots will be assigned on a first come, first served basis, but will not be assigned until the instructor has received a complete copy of the paper to be presented. A laptop computer with a display projector will be available, but overhead or slide projectors can also be used for the presentation of graphic materials. Chalkboards may also be used. Students will receive feedback on the presentation from their peers, who will fill out and sign evaluation forms. The forms will initially be turned in to the instructor, and the signatures will be removed before the forms are given to the speaker.

4) Readings and Classroom Participation (10% of Grade)

Class readings are listed on the Course Schedule according to the date on which they will be discussed. The papers will be distributed in class at least one class meeting prior to the one in which they will be discussed. They must be read BEFORE class as a brief quiz on each will be given prior to the start of discussion. Students are expected to contribute to class discussion on the readings and class topics. Other factors considered in determining the classroom participation grade will include peer meetings to discuss proposals, and feedback evaluations of student presentations.

5) Research Idea Portfolio

Each student will turn in 16 original ideas (one for each week of the semester) generated from a scientific research problem of their own selection. Each idea, described concisely in one page or less, should be numbered consecutively and may be submitted singly or in batches at any time prior to Finals Week. Descriptions should include a general discussion of the types of experiments that might address the problem. The ideas will only be evaluated with respect to their independence from one another and from ideas submitted by other members of the class. Failure to submit ALL 16 ideas prior to 5 PM on April 28 will result in the lowering of the student's course grade by one letter grade.

Grading

A = 90-100 pts
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = <60

Points Awarded as Follows:

Proposal - each section (including Final Version) is worth 4 pts when turned in on time, but none of these points will be awarded for sections turned in late. An additional 4 pts/section will be used for subjective scoring by the instructor. Instructor will provide feedback on each proposal at least twice prior to the final due date. Peer reviewers's comments are for the writer's guidance and are not considered in the proposal grade. (Total 40 pts.)

Reviews - each review will be worth up to 7.5 pts, and grades will be assigned by the instructor on the basis of how well the reviewers address the questions provided in the review handout checklist. Students are advised to make a good effort to provide their peers with useful critiques -- in past years, the overall score for reviews was the closest tracker for each student's final grade. (Total 30 pts.)

Oral Presentations - each oral presentation is worth 10 pts. (Total 20 pts.)

Readings and Classroom Participation - as noted above (Total 10 pts.)

Idea Portfolio - incomplete assignment results in loss of one letter grade

FORS 8200 Spring 2000 - Course Schedule

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