Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between FOR 141 and FOR 241?

• FOR 141 is 3 credits; FOR 241 is 5 credits.
• The content of the two courses is very similar, as are most class activities and assignments.   
• There are two primary differences:
  • FOR 241 has an in-class midterm and final exam covering the lecture material; FOR 141 does not—the only exams are lab exams (although there are other graded activities)
  • However, in FOR 141, attendance at lecture is required (it accounts for 50 points—5-7% of the total grade) and in FOR 241 it is not.  The rationale for this is that the material covered in lecture is an important part of understanding trees and forests, but I needed to find a reasonable distinction between the 3 credit and 5 credit versions of the class, and this is how I chose to do it.  If you're reasonably good at taking exams, and can "afford" the extra 2 credits, you might consider taking FOR 241 rather than 141.

Are there field trips in this class?

Not really. Most labs are conducted outside, but on campus.  Through the years, I've planted most of the trees and shrubs that I need to teach these classes somewhere on campus. As a result, teaching on campus is more efficient, from the standpoint of cost, time, and use of natural resources (although somewhat less enjoyable).  Sometimes I offer voluntary off-campus field trips to the Cascades or the coast, but this is often a result of student requests.

I have a scheduling conflict—is it OK to miss a portion of each lab?

Labs are the primary way that students learn to identify the trees required for the course.  Most labs occupy the full time allotted (very few finish early).  Double scheduling other classes with labs will put you at a significant disadvantage in accomplishing the course objectives (passing lab exams). It’s not impossible, especially if you have a reliable friend in class, but I’d never recommend it.
 
What's the difference in the Schedule of Classes between REC and LAB?

REC is actually a lab TESTING period.  Therefore REC sessions will not meet every week.  However, it's important that you keep this time available so that when labs exams DO occur, you have time budgeted to take them. The current course schedule will show you when lab exams are scheduled.  On the other hand, LAB periods occur every week during their scheduled times.

Is there a LAB or REC the first week of classes?

LAB—yes!  REC—no (since it's a testing period, I don't think you want one that early).
 
In the schedule that you passed out in class, why are there multiple times scheduled for the same lab exam?

Lab exams are an important part of the learning process in these courses.  You can take each exam several times (see schedule) with your highest grade counting for each exam (that's right--they're not averaged and if you take an exam a second time and get a lower score, your higher score is what counts).  There used to be an old saying in Chicago around election time—“Vote early and vote often.”  In these classes, the best way to get a good grade is to “Test early and test often.”