Applied Theory and Methods in Urban Ecology

CFR 475/575 URBDP 598 GEOG 487 ENVIR 487

Anderson 306

Tue 2:30-3:50 – Thu 2:30-5:50

Announcements for Students:

9 March 2004 - Class presentations for review: MMMLeader Shorelines, Superstar Creeks, Food Group, Second Homes, Indicators

12 February after class: Today's presentations (ppt) : MMMleader (UG doing Shorelines), Superstar (UG doing Stream buffers), Food Group, UE fellow 4, UE fellow 5 (JUBBA). I know I said papers would be available as well, but I only have from Superstar, Food Group, ... Comments for the other groups on Tuesday are expected to be primarily verbal, although writing out 3-4 comments/questions/concerns each will help your group to decide what to focus on when providing feedback. Feedback in class will be oral with one or 2 people from each group leading the comments on the other group's presentation/proposed research. Questions? email me...(Jeff)

- I have also posted the Peer Review form here

12 February: Changed links to Endnote Libraries as word documents (and Endnote libary) : MMMleader (ENL library)(UG doing Shorelines), Superstar (ENL library) (UG doing Stream buffers), Food Group (ENL library), UE fellow 4 (ENL Library), UE fellow 5 (ENL library) (JUBBA)

28 January: new stuff added to the class schedule, check it out.

24 January: Library Link to the website that Carol Green did for us.

13 January: Check out the Class Schedule Link - we have added a "library and databasse searching" panel for Tuesday January 20th BUT we need YOU to fill out a few questions to better tailor the panel to your needs. See the schedule date for more info and a link to the questions.

Instructors

Clare Ryan

Office: Anderson Hall 123H

College of Forest Resources

Telephone: (206) 616-3987

Email: cmryan@u.washington.edu

John Marzluff

College of Forest Resources

Office: Anderson 123E

Tel: 616-6883

E-mail: corvid@u.washington.ed

Gordon A Bradley

Office: Anderson 123G

College of Forest Resources

Tel: 685-0881

E-mail: gbradley@u.washington.edu

Craig ZumBrunnen

Department of Geography

Office: Smith 416D Tel: 543-4915

E-mail: craigzb@u.washington.edu

Jeff Hepinstall

Urban Ecology

Tel: 293-3237

Office: Gould410k/Anderson 301

E-mail: jahwash@u.washington.edu

Eric Shulenberger

Office of Research

Office: 204 Winkenwerder Hall Tel:

685-1457

E-mail: ericshul@u.washington.edu

Marina Alberti

Department of Urban Design and

Planning

Office: Gould 410H

Tel: 616-8667

E-mail: malberti@u.washington.edu

Robert Reineke

Urban Ecology

Office: Anderson 301 Tel: 616-2874

E-mail: picapica@u.washington.edu

Description

The goal of this class is to address theoretical and methodological issues involved in the research projects developed during fall quarter. The class will approach theory and methods in an applied setting emphasizing a "problem-based learning" environment where a real-world, interdisciplinary problem drives the acquisition of knowledge. Students and faculty will work together to identify and prioritize team-project needs. We will draw upon our extended faculty group and resources to cover selected topics. Several "just in time” interactive sessions with panels of resource specialists will be designed to answer student questions on the theoretical underpinnings and specific methodologies of their project. Debriefing sessions with the IGERT core faculty will provide students with direction to incorporate these panel discussions in their research design. Other class sessions will be devoted to group work with Faculty and Post-docs available on an as-needed basis. Student teams will work to produce a refined research design by revising project objectives and specifying research methodology and data collection protocols.

Resource Specialist Sessions

Based on the first week brainstorm sessions on project needs, students and faculty will identify potential resources and invite a number of resource specialists to help the teams refine their research projects and design. Sessions will be structured possibly as panels of resource specialists. Students will prepare each session by developing specific questions and background information related to their projects for the invited specialist to be provided in advance. The sessions will be structured around student questions and will be followed by debriefing sessions with the core faculty.

Assignments

Assignments
There are several assignments to help student teams identify and effectively use available resources and to develop their research design. They are listed below:

Assignment 1: Due Jan 8
Identify theoretical and methodological needs and list of resources for team projects.

Assignment 2a: Due Weekly When Applicable
Prepare set of questions for resource specialists tailored to answer methodological questions for team projects one week in advance of each session.

Assignment 2b: Due January 22, February 26, and March 4.
Briefly present project to visiting Speaker. Prepare set of questions for speaker as appropriate.

Assignment 3: Due Jan 29
Preliminary Annotated Bibliography. Each team will produce an annotated bibliography for the research problem selected.

Assignment 4: Due Feb 10
Preliminary Research Design. Each team will develop a written and oral presentation of their preliminary research design for their project based on input from the resource specialists and team-work.

Assignment 5: Due Feb 12
Prepare Peer Review. Each team will review other team research project design and present their comments to the teams.

Assignment 6: Due March 9 (Presentation) / March 11 (Paper)
Complete Final Team-Project Research design paper and presentation. Each team will develop a written and oral presentation of their final research design (see description)