Outline and Syllabus for for 801

FOR 802—Forest Science Research (Fall Semester 2002)

Time & Place: Fridays, 12:40 to 3:30; room 207 Natural Resources

Instructor: Donald I. Dickmann ( 125 Natural Resources  353-5199 )

Text: Lee, J.A. 2000. The Scientific Endeavor. San Francisco: Addison Wesley Longman ($33.75 new)

Objectives: Consider the philosophy, ethics, politics, and procedures of science to prepare students to conduct meaningful, honest research in their forest science discipline; successfully compete for research funding; and effectively communicate the results of their research.

Course Model: The instructor will introduce the topic for the week. Students are expected to provide meaningful points of discussion based on assigned readings and their own experience. No exams will be given, but rather grades will be based on student participation in class discussions, writing assignments during the course, preparation of a written research proposal, and oral presentation of the proposal.

Weekly Schedule:

The social contract of science

Chapt. 9

University Thanksgiving holiday—no class

Note: Most weekly topics will have supplementary readings from the literature of science (identified by week number and available for checkout in the main forestry office, 126 N.R.). Students are expected to read each assignment before class meets. Lecture notes for some class topics will be available on the FOR 802 Afs space (campus network “U” drive) in the “Class Notes” folder.

Written Assignments:

All written assignments must be off-printed from a computer word processor or submitted electronically via e-mail as attached files (Microsoft Word only). Format is double-spaced, 12 font. Assignments are due in the instructor’s electronic or room 126 NR mailbox no later than 5 p.m. on the due date.

Essay titled “Why I am pursuing a career in forest science” (2-page limit) Sept. 6

Essay titled “Can science achieve truth?” (2-page limit) Sept. 20

Analysis of two case studies in scientific ethics (2-page limit)Oct. 11

Essay titled “The limits of the scientific methodto solve humanity’s problems” (2-page limit) Oct. 18

Proposal title and justification of the research problem (2-page limit) Oct. 25

Proposal hypotheses or critical questions (1-page limit) Nov. 8

First draft of complete proposal (limited to 10 double-spaced pages, Nov. 27 (Wed.)

not including references)

Revised (final) draft of proposalDec. 11

Grading:

Written assignments will be graded by the instructor. Final drafts of the proposals will be graded by a faculty panel. Proposed grading curve below (cutoff point totals may be lowered but they will not be raised).

Attendance Policy: Students are required to attend each class session. In special circumstances a prior arrangement can be made with the instructor to miss a class. Absences that have not been pre-arranged will result in forfeiture of some or all of the 30 points allocated to class discussion.