Syllabi Contents

Course Description	Course Materials	Grading Scales
Discussion of Grading	Class Schedule

 

Lead Instructor: Taylor Stein
Office:  345 Newins-Ziegler Hall
Phone:  846-0860
E-Mail:  tstein@ufl.edu
Office Hours: TBA

Instructor Team

Wendell Cropper, Associate Professor, Biological Process modeling

-846-0859, wcropper@ufl.edu

Karen Kainer ,Associate Professor of Tropical Forestry
             - 846-0833, kkainer@ufl.edu

Alan Long, Professor of Forest Operations, Fire, and Extension
             - 846-0891, ajl2@ufl.edu

Gary Peter, Associate Professor of Forest Genomics
             -846-0896, gfpeter@ufl.edu

John Davis Associate Professor of Forest Biotechnology

-846-0879 jmdavis@ufl.edu

Matias Kirst, Assistant Professor Quantative Genetics

-846-0900 mkirst@ufl.edu

    Human perceptions and values of forests
Functions of forest ecosystems
 Management and use of forests

• Understand the dynamic nature of forest ecosystems and that complex relationships exist between stakeholders, their values, and their perceptions of forests,
• Be able to interpret and analyze environmental issues related to forests and forest management,
• Develop well-reasoned judgments about what to do or believe when reading popular literature on forest management, values and ecosystem functions,
• Communicate effectively with others in determining solutions to environmental issues.

Course Materials:
All course readings are available online through the UF Library Online Reserve system (see https://ares.uflib.ufl.edu/for details).

Final grades will be based on:

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Exams/Final Assignment

In order for the instructors to assess your progress during their section of the course, you will complete an exam/assignment that covers the information you were provided during that section. These exams/assignments will take a variety of forms (e.g., in-class exam to out-of-class essay), but they will all be worth 11 points each. They will not be eligible for rewrites.

Assignments

To give you a thorough understanding and appreciation for the issues discussed in class, you will be required to complete five assignments throughout the semester – each worth six points each. They will include both in-class and out-of-class written assignments. These exercises will test your awareness of the information about a specific issue, as well as your ability to think about that issue, and apply that information to current situations. Each exercise will be discussed in detail before it is due. 

The assignments will be tightly graded, but you will have the opportunity to re-write assignments for full points. Instructors provide electronic comments back on the assignment; therefore, you must submit all assignments using MS Word. Each writing assignment must be submitted as an email attachment to the TA before the class period it is due – late assignments will not be excused and will result in a severe point deduction. 

Participation

This class moves quickly and builds on each day's activities - attendance is crucial. Each student is allowed 3 absences, period. Attendance will be monitored by the TA. Those who miss more than 3 classes will lose all 10 points for attendance for the semester. (Students who will miss more than 3 classes for conferences, family emergencies, or other special events must receive prior approval by Dr. Stein or the TA). The field trip is mandatory. Those who absolutely cannot make this trip for the reasons outlined above must write a detailed paper on forest management - discuss this with Dr. Long; otherwise, they will lose all participation points.

Students will also be expected to take part in course discussion. Although we don’t expect all students to speak all the time, you will have the opportunity to provide input verbally and written. Occasionally, instructors might ask you to submit written comments based on lectures (in-class or email). Failure to submit these written comments will result in points deducted from your participation score.

Finally, repeatedly coming to class late and disrupting class will result in points deducted from your participation score.

Course Wrap-up

Other Information

UF Academic Honesty
 As a result of completing the registration form at the University of Florida, every student has signed the following statement:  “I understand the University of Florid expects its students to be honest in all their academic work.  I agree to adhere to this commitment to academic honesty and understand that my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the University.”

UF Counseling Services
 Resources are available on-campus for students having personal problems or lacking clear career and academic goals, which interfere with their academic performance.  These resources include:

1. University Counseling Center, 301 Peabody Hall, 392-1575, personal and career counseling;

2. Student Mental Health, Student Health Care Center, 391-1171, personal counseling;

3. Sexual Assault Recovery Services (SARS), Student Health Care Center, 392-1161, sexual counseling;

4. Career Resource Center, Reitz Union, 392-1601, career development assistance and counseling.

UF Computer Software Usage
 All faculty, staff and students of the University are required and expected to obey the laws and legal agreements governing software use.  Failure to do so can lead to monetary damages and/or criminal penalties for the individual violator.  Because such violations are also against University policies and rules, disciplinary action will be taken as appropriate.

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