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This course is designed to introduce the history, principles, and applications of dendrochronology to upper division undergraduates and graduate students. This is a unique opportunity for U of A students to study dendrochronology where it originated and where it is currently practiced by the world's largest group of scientists dedicated to the discipline. The course is particularly appropriate for students with interests in the chronological and dynamical aspects of anthropology/archaeology, forest and woodland ecology, climatology, hydrology, and late Quaternary geology and geomorphology. Weekly laboratory sessions focus on learning basic tree-ring dating skills using a variety of tree-ring specimens from different species and research contexts. At least one field trip is scheduled during which students learn sampling methods and obtain a tree-ring collection for use in the laboratory. Graduate students are required to prepare a term paper on an original research project, or on a review of a dendrochronology application. Students may purchase photocopies of lecture overheads. Other required readings will be placed in reserve at the Tree-Ring Lab Classroom.
First Exam Sept 30
Midterm Exam Nov 6
Lab Practical Exam - Tuesday, Dec 9, 1PM-3:50PM (tentative date)
Final Exam - Monday, Dec 15, 11AM-1PM
We will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 to 12:15 in Room 104, West Stadium.
Meeting time will be Tuesdays 1-3:50PM. Rex Adams and Tom Harlan of the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research will conduct the lab exercises.
At least one trip will be scheduled during the semester, probably in mid October. The purpose of this trip will be to learn tree selection criteria, increment coring techniques, sampling procedures, and to obtain a class collection that will be used to learn specimen preparation procedures. This trip will probably be a long weekend trip (late Friday through Sunday). We will also observe a variety of tree-ring sites involving a variety of dendrochronology applications (e.g., archaeology, ecology, geomorphology, or climatology) and to obtain collections that students may use for class projects.
There will be four exams - first, midterm, final, and laboratory. The first and midterm are worth 100 points each and the final is worth 200 points. These three exams are based entirely on lecture material and assigned readings. Laboratory work is a letter grade based on attendance of lab sessions and the first field trip, completion of lab exercises, conscientious effort toward completing the exercises, and results of the lab practical exam. The lab letter grade is assigned the following point equivalents: A = 200, B = 170, C = 150, D = 130, F = 0 (+ or - letter grades are incremented +10 or -10 points respectively. For example, A+ = 210, and A- = 190).
Graduate students will be expected to carry out a special project that will be either a laboratory-based tree-ring study or a library-based study (such as a literature review) on a topic of their choice. These topics must be cleared with me before beginning the project. A written report on these projects will be prepared and turned in by the last class meeting (Dec 9). Failure to turn in an acceptable report will result in a letter grade drop in the course grade, whereas in marginal cases a report receiving an "A" will result in a course grade rise. For example, if exam and lab averages are between 85 and 89, and if the term paper receives an "A", the course grade will be an "A".
Undergraduates may optionally choose to carry out a special project. Again, topics should be discussed with me beforehand. Similarly, written reports from these projects receiving an "A" will raise the course letter grade in marginal cases.
Students are expected to be regular and punctual in class and laboratory attendance. Occasional absences due to illness, emergencies, etc. are understandable, but if more than one lecture or lab in a row is to be missed than the student should notify the instructors. Excessive or extended absence from class or lab may result in the student being dropped from the course. Students are responsible for all lecture and lab material and exercises presented in their absence, and so arrangements should be made with fellow students or instructors to obtain missed lecture notes and assignments.
My offices hours are from 1 to 4 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or by appointment. My office is upstairs (2nd level) in West Stadium, room 206, or you might find me in my lab down the hall in room 204. It would be wise to check with me in class beforehand to find out exactly where I will be in the afternoon.
Phone numbers: Office 621-2112; Lab 621-6463; FAX 621-8229
E-Mail:
TSWETNAM@LTRR.ARIZONA.EDU
RADAMS@LTRR.ARIZONA.EDU
CBAISAN@LTRR.ARIZONA.EDU
also see Tree-Ring Lab web site: http://www.ltrr.arizona.edu/
Copies of lecture overheads, laboratory exercises, and miscellaneous handouts will be available for purchase at photocopy service (Student Union Building, downstairs). These materials may not be ready until the second week of classes.
A set of classic papers in dendrochronology will also be placed on reserve in Tree-Ring Lab Classroom. These papers may be checked out for brief periods (2 hours) for reading or photocopying. Specific reading assignments of these papers will be given in lecture.
Three books will be on reserve in the Tree-Ring Lab Classroom. They may be checked out for short periods. It may also be possible find copies of these books in the library.
Fritts, H. C. 1976. Tree Rings and Climate, Academic Press, New York, 567p.
Hughes M. K. et al. 1982. Climate from tree rings, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 223p.
Schweingruber, F. H. 1989. Tree Rings, D. Reidel Pub. Company, Dordrecht, 276p.