Geography 423/523: Advanced Biogeography
Topic for Spring 2009: Dendrochronology

• Two exams (20%, 20%)
• An individual research project, involving all the major steps of conducting a research project (50%):
• Devising a research question
• Developing sampling methods
• Conducting field sampling and laboratory analyses
• Analyzing results using the proper data graphics and statistics
• Writing a research paper (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion)
• Students enrolled in Geog 523 will be required to analyze their results using sophisticated statistical methods and write a report using the primary scientific literature.  Students in Geog 423 will also be required to conduct statistical analyses and write a scientific report, but expectations for using the primary literature and the level of statistical analysis will be lower.
• Grade broken down as follows: 
• Assessment of consistent progress through course (meets three due dates for project development: 15%)
• Quality of data collection and analysis (25%)
• Clarity of writing and presentation of research question (30%)
• Background research: presenting the context for your question and the connection of your results with other studies (30 %)
• A 10-minute in-class presentation of your research findings & class participation. (10%)

• These steps must be completed through the term to make adequate progress on your project.  Turn in hard-copy versions of each of these:

1. Initial project idea, due April 16th.  This should be a note that contains a question that you wish to address in your project (i.e., phrase it as a question).  A few rules:  First, a good question is succinct and addresses a process, not just a simple fact. Bad question: When was the last wild-land fire at Mount Buford?  Good question: Did the decline of fire at Mount Buford coincide with increasing Euro-American settlement or with earlier decline of Native American populations?  Second, a good question is not so broad it is unanswerable.  The previous question is answerable, but likely too difficult for a 10-week period as good data for that particular question are elusive.  Easily obtainable data are 1) the ages of a common forest tree, and/or 2) growth rates of those trees.  Many good, workable, questions involve forest dynamics, including canopy gap dynamics.  I won't list any here to leave the full spectrum of possible topics untouched!  Also, include a few sentences on where sampling will occur and sample size.  I will provide feedback within a few days.
2. Final project idea, due Apr 28th.  Same as above.  However, also include a few sentences on how the data will be analyzed.  I will again provide feedback.  You should obtain permission from landowners or managers for coring and obtain cores as soon as possible.
3. Project data summaries, due May 21st.  A list of 1) trees and core samples taken, and 2) cross-dating results (COFECHA output).  Any other ancillary information would be appreciated.

1. No talking amongst each other.  Please leave your social conversations for outside the classroom.  However, questions during lectures are encouraged.  If you have a question, raise your hand or catch me after class.
2. Please don't leave in the middle of lecture. It is distracting for many people, including me. If you need to leave, then let me know before the lecture starts, then sit near an exit.
3. Do not have your laptop open to surf the web.  Note-taking on laptops is OK.
4. Cheating.  Cheating, such as copying material from other students on tests, will result in failing the test at a minimum and I will pass the information on to the Dean of Students.  In serious cases, you will flunk the class or be expelled from the university.
5. Plagiarizing.  Plagiarizing occurs when you copy materials from other sources without citing the source (i.e., taking credit for someone else’s work), or copy someone else’s lab.  All students should be familiar with the material in this guide on avoiding plagiarism.

Department of Geography, University of Oregon
Modified Apr 13, 2009