FTY 112 – Forests Through Time: Discussion
Spring 2009
Course Information
FTY 112 – Forests Through Time: Discussions
Weekly discussions based on information presented in FTY 111 – Forests Through Time. Credits: 2.
Prerequisite or co requisite: FTY 111 – Forests Through Time
FTY 111 and FTY 112 together satisfy the General Education Science Application and Population & Environment requirements, OR, FTY 101, FTY 111, and FTY 112 satisfy the General Education Lab Science and Population & Environment requirements.
Internet-based Course
1. Web pages contain information and links for class documents, recordings, and readings. The URL (web address) is: http://www.forest.umaine.edu/education/livingston/WelcomeFTY111.html
2. Web-based material is utilized asynchronously: It is up to the student to make sure that readings are completed, recordings are viewed, and quizzes completed on a weekly basis as assigned.
3. Uses WebCT for quizzes in FTY 111.
4. You will be receiving E-mail messages through your MaineStreet E-mail address. You may either check or forward your MaineStreet email by visiting http://mail.maine.edu. To forward your email to either FirstClass or another email account of your choice, select the option: "change the destination of email sent to your @Maine.edu address." More details about how accomplish this are at http://www.studentrecords.umaine.edu/mailforward.html.
Class Formats
Evening classes at UMaine will be held on Tuesday evenings, 6:30-8:30 pm.
Technical Requirements
1. Use of a computer is required. Students must be proficient in using internet browsers and downloading files. The computer must also be capable of playing videos with sound.
2. Documents are in MS Word format. If you do not have MSWord, you need a copy of Word Viewer :
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=3657CE88-7CFA-457A-9AEC-F4F827F20CAC&DisplayLang=en
3. Documents are also in PDF format. To view them, you need a copy of Adobe Reader on your computer. You can download a copy of the program at: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
4. Recordings require a high speed internet connection for viewing. A high speed internet connection can be a DSL connection, a cable connection, or a T-line connection such as that found on the UMaine campus. Warning: Without a high speed internet connection, you will not be able to view the recordings; please make sure you have access to high speed internet before registering for the course.
5. Flash Player is required for viewing recordings. Download the Player at:
http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash
6. Registered students need to use WebCT. Information about WebCT and getting an account is available at: http://dll.umaine.edu/cd/html/webct_faq.html
7. For additional questions or comments, e-mail
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to use scientific concepts and principles to:
1) Explain basic components of the forest.
2) Compare and contrast the causes of forest change over time due to:
a) Climate
b) Human use
3) Analyze the composition and history of a forest and articulate future changes in the forest if:
a) No disturbance occurs
b) A disturbance occurs such as logging and wind storms
c) Climate change occurs
4) Ascertain how these changes affect wildlife populations and humans
Faculty Information
Questions or requests for appointments can be submitted to an instructor by using email and/or WebCT.
William H. LivingstonAssociate Professor, School of Forest Resources
University of Maine
5755 Nutting Hall rm 201b
Orono, ME 04469-5755
ph: 207-581-2990
fax: 207-581-4257
e-mail:
Required Readings and Books
1. Required:
Citation / Referred to in course as:Kricher, J.C. 1998. A Field Guide to Eastern Forests, North America. Houghton Mifflin Co., NY. 488 p. / Eastern Forests
Maine Forest Service. 2008. Forest Trees of Maine.
2. Other References Used Throughout the Course (available on-line):
Citation / Referred to in course as:Howard, Jonathan. 2001. Darwin – A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, NY. 125 p. / Darwin
Bryan, R.R. 2004. Focus Species Forestry – A Guide to Integrating Timber and Biodiversity Management in Maine, 2nd ed. Maine Audubon, Falmouth, Maine. 92 p. ? / Focus Species Forestry
Harpstead, M.I., T.J. Sauer, and William F. Bennett. 1997. Soil Science Simplified. Iowa State University Press. 210 p. / Soil Science
McWilliams, W.H., and others. 2005. The Forests of Maine: 2003. USDA, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station Resource Bulletin NE-164. 188 p. / Forests of Maine
Russell M. Burns and Barbara H. Honkala, Technical Coordinators. 1990. Silvics of North America: 1. Conifers; 2. Hardwoods. Agriculture Handbook 654. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington, DC. (2 vol.) 877 p. (also available at: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/table_of_contents.shtm) / Silvics of North America
3. Additional references needed for specific topics will be indicated in the topics web page and lecture outline. Readings will be available on-line.
Grading and Course Expectations
Students are required to attend the once-a-week class sessions. Material from FTY 111 will be assigned each week, and the quiz for the assigned material must be completed prior to class. Failure to complete the quiz will result in zero credit for the discussion session.
Grades for the discussion session will be based on:
1. Pre and post test on the “New Ecological Paradigm” and “Nature of Science”. No grade will be given for this assessment, but it will be a measure on how your attitudes have changed by the class.
2. Written assignments (550 points)
Assignments are based on weekly topics presented on the Forests Through Time Online web site and will relate the material to the Learning Outcomes for the class. A 1-2 page response to specific questions on each topic is expected. Written responses are due at the start of the period during which the topic will be discussed.
3. Attendance (250 points): Attending class session will earn points based on the following scale:
a. No unexcused absences = 250 points
b. One unexcused absence = 200 points
c. Two unexcused absences = 150 points
d. Two unexcused absences = 100 points
e. Four unexcused absences = failure for the class
4. Final Exam (200 points)
a. A final exam will be given on WebCT and will be based on the questions given on the quizzes for FTY 111.
b. The Exam will be worth 200 points (100 questions).
Final grades will be assigned as follows: A= >90% of possible points, B= 80-89%, C= 70-79%, D= 60-69% F = <60%
Policies
1. Academic honesty (plagiarism, etc.): Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism and all forms of misrepresentation in academic work, and is unacceptable at The University of Maine. As stated in the University of Maine’s online undergraduate “Student Handbook,” plagiarism (the submission of another’s work without appropriate attribution) and cheating are violations of The University of Maine Student Conduct Code. An instructor who has probable cause or reason to believe a student has cheated may act upon such evidence, and should report the case to the supervising faculty member or the Department Chair for appropriate action.
2. Students with disabilities statement: If you have a disability for which you may be requesting an accommodation, please contact Ann Smith, Director of Disabilities Services, 121 East Annex, 581-2319, as early as possible in the term.
Course Schedule
There are 17 topics, and the discussion dates for each topic are listed below.
Disc.Date / Topic # / Title
Basic Principles
Jan 13 / Introductions, Course Requirements, Common tree species
Jan 20 / 1. / Introduction to the Forests of Maine
Jan 20 / 2. / Scientific Principles Important to Forests
Jan 27 / 3. / Principles of Biology Needed to Understand Forest Diversity
Feb 3 / 4. / Tree & Plant Biology
Feb 10 / 5. / Principles of Geology, Soils, and Landforms Needed to Understand Forests
Feb 17 / 6. / Principles of Forest Ecology Needed to Understand Forest Dynamics
Feb 24 / 7. / Principles of Wildlife Ecology
Mar 17 / 8. / 10,000 Years of Forest Change
Mar 24 / 9. / Land Ethic
Spruce-Fir Forest
Mar 31 / 10. / Spruce-Fir Forest: Tree Adaptations and Ecology
Mar 31 / 11. / Spruce-Fir Forest: Wildlife Habitat Associations
Apr 7 / 12. / The Spruce-Fir Forest Prior to 1900
Apr 7 / 13. / The Spruce-Fir Forest 1900 to 1976
Apr 14 / 14. / The Spruce-Fir Forest 1976 to Present
Apr 21 / 15. / Future Opportunities in Forest Products
Apr 21 / 16. / Forest Certification and The Future of the Forest
Forests in Our Lives
Apr 28 / 17. / Forests and Children
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