COURSE SYLABUS

Dendrology, FOR 115-01 and -02

FALL 2005

I. GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION

Schedule:    Lecture: Monday/Wednesday 12:00-1:15 PM - Rm 202, Backles Hall

                  Lab:  Rm 202 - Backles Hall

                  Section -01 Wednesdays 1:30 - 4:00 PM

NOTE: LAB WILL MEET IN ROOM 202 THEN DEPART FOR THE FIELD

Instructor: Brigitte Parsons

Office:  321 Scott Hall

Phone (540) 863-2894 

E-mail: bparsons@dslcc.edu

 

Office hours for class assistance & advisement:

	Monday 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
	Tuesday: 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
	Wednesday 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM

II. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course studies trees and shrubs botanically and commercially important to the forests of the eastern United States. Emphasis is on the field characteristics of these trees and shrubs and their correct identification. Lecture and lab are both 3 hours -- total of 6 hours per week. Four credit hours are granted by DSLCC upon satisfactory completion of this course.

III. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

This course is essential for the student's performance as a forest technician. It provides the techniques and opportunity for students to identify the major tree and shrub species encountered in the eastern United States by bark, twig, fruit and leaf features using the scientific and common names. The students will study tree and shrub species in natural situations and will include understanding shade tolerance, site preferences, geographic distributions and reproduction characteristics.

Upon completion, the student will have the knowledge and skills to:

1.   Demonstrate in writing an understanding of the terms and vocabulary used in a vegetative key.

2.   Identify a minimum of 100 trees and shrubs using bark, twig, fruit, and leaf features, in the field, with and without the use of a key and correctly spell the family, genus, species, and common name. See Species List

3.   Prepare a leaf and twig collection for current study and future reference.

4.   Silvics Report on the following 10 important forest tree species:

White Oak, Chestnut Oak, Black Cherry, Loblolly Pine, Virginia Pine,  White Pine, Yellow-poplar, Sugar Maple, Red Maple, Mockernut Hickory

IV. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS

Lecture, discussion, audio-visual materials, field survey, laboratory projects and field study will be used during this course.

V. REQUIRED TEXT AND SUPPLIES

Harlow, W.et al. 2001. Textbook of Dendrology, 9th ed. McGraw-Hill

Other (optional) References: (can be found in Library or local bookstores)

Grimm, William C., 1983. The Illustrated Book of Trees, Mechanicsburg, PA, Stackpole Books.

Peterson, G. 1972. Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs, Houghton-Mifflin Co.

Graves, A. H., 1984. Illustrated Guide to Trees and Shrubs, NY, Dover Publishers

Core, E. and N. Ammons, 1973. Woody Plants in Winter, Pacific Grove, CA, Boxwood Press.

Virginia Polytechnical Institute & State University, The Silvics Digest. (held on reserve in library)

Equipment:

Required: Vibram sole, safety toe boots and hardhat for each lab!

Optional: 10x or higher magnifying lens, sharp pocket knife, rainsuit, clipboard

VI. GRADING POLICY

Grades will be determined as follows:

1. Tests (2) 20%                                                           A = 90% +

2. Quizzes (class & lab) 20%                                    B=80-89%

3. Leaf & Twig Collection 10%                                   C= 70-79%

4. Silvics reports (10) 20%                                          D=60-69%

5. Final Exam - Field ID 30%                                       F=below 60%

VII. ATTENDANCE AND ASSIGNMENT POLICY

Each student is expected to attend each class and lab scheduled for this course. For DSLCC attendance policy, see the Academic Catalog, page 31. When absence becomes necessary, it is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor prior to the absence whenever possible. It is also the responsibility of the student for the missed instruction and handout materials. Any instruction missed will affect the grade of the student. Any absence by the student that has not been discussed with the instructor by the student before the absence or immediately upon return to campus is considered "unexcused" and any missed tests or quizzes cannot be "made-up", and a grade of "0" will be assigned.

No make-up tests or exams from an unavoidable absence will be administered without making prior arrangements with the instructor. No quiz or exercise may be made up without making prior arrangements with the instructor. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped and not averaged into the final grade. A missed quiz will count as the dropped grade.

Class attendance will be recorded and tabulated as a percentage and will be considered a quiz grade. 100% = 0 absences; 95% = 1 absence; 90% = 2 absences; etc. in increments of 5% per absence.  All work assignments will have a DUE DATE. Grades for the assignment will be lowered one letter grade for each 24-hour period the work is submitted past the DUE DATE up to 4 days. After 4 calendar days a "0" will be assigned.

Academic Dishonesty:  Refer to page 32 in the catalog and student handbook.  This policy will be strictly enforced in this class, there is a “zero tolerance” policy for cheating, collaborating, or plagiarism.  This includes lab reports, DO NOT COLLABORATE!  Your lab reports belong to you and need to be original thoughts.  For help on avoiding plagiarism, consult the following website:  http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/plagiarism.html.

Withdrawal:  A student can withdraw from the course without academic penalty within the first eight (8) weeks of the semester. Otherwise, the student will receive a grade of "F". Merely not attending class DOES NOT constitute withdrawal from the course. Refer to the DSLCC catalog for complete procedures for withdrawal.

Enrollment: VCCS policy prohibits enrolling in a failed or non-completed course more than twice unless mitigating circumstances exist.

Fire Policy: In case the building needs to be evacuated during the class period, exit Room 375 through the back door into the rear parking lot.

Conduct and Behavior Policy:

Inappropriate conduct and/or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated in the classroom or during lab period. As a student in this college course you are a representative of Dabney S. Lancaster Community College and the instructor expects that your conduct will reflect that. Failure to conduct yourself in a mature, responsible manner may result in a grade penalty and/or expulsion from the course.

The following rules are in effect each time this course meets for class and lab and during the transportation between the DSLCC campus and the outdoor field sites.

1.   You will treat fellow students and staff members courteously, respecting the personal rights of others.

2.   You will respect the personal property rights of others. This includes appropriate care of facilities and materials belonging to DSLCC.

3.   Possession and/or use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs is prohibited.

4.   Walkmans, radios, video games, beepers, cell phones, etc. are not allowed during labs or lectures. If emergency conditions exist, the instructor can make exceptions for communications needs when requested.

5.   The instructor recognizes the importance of social interaction between and among groups of students, but this interaction is not to interfere with class (lecture or lab) activities. Please be polite and considerate of others who desire to listen and take notes. 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE - DENDROLOGY - FOR 115
Week	Lecture Subject	Lab	Reading
1	Review of course outline, Introduction to Dendrology Identification features, leaves	Field ID DSLCC	Chapter 1 Chapter 7
2	Silvics Report requirements, library tour Twigs	Field ID White Oak Flats, Reservoir	Chapter 7
3	No Class Monday, Labor Day Leaves and Twigs, Winter Twigs	Field ID Low Moor	Chapter 7
4	Review twig terms, bark Flowers	Field ID McGraw Hollow	Chapter 7
5	Fruits Tree form & silhouettes	Field ID Douthat, Stony Run	Chapter 7
6	Review Test 1 (10%)	Field ID Glen Wilton
7	Classification Nomenclature	Field ID North Mountain or Low Moor	Chapter 2 Chapter 3
8	Variation, Range, Tolerance, Succession Use of Identification Keys	Field ID Longdale	Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 4
9	Campus Tour Exercise Gymnospermae - Major Families	Field ID Simpson Creek	Chapter 8
10	Gymnospermae – Pinaceae Gymnospermae – Western Species	Field ID Douthat State Park	Chapter 8
11	Class Exercise Angiospermae – Major Families	Field ID Dolly Ann	Chapter 9
12	Class Exercise Angiospermae – Major Families	Field ID Humpback Bridge, Covington	Chapter 9
13	Key Exercise Angiospermae – Major Families	Field ID Roaring Run	Chapter 9
14	Leaf & Twig Collections (10%): Due Monday Nov. 20 Review	Field ID Douthat State Park
15	Test 2 (10%) Class Exercise	Field ID Review
16	Class Exercise Review for Final (TBA)	Final Field Exam (30%)

 Weekly Quizzes are held in lab or class. 

Silvics Reports are due every week on Wednesday, starting August 31.