Course Goals:
My goals for the course are to provide participants with: 1) an introduction to the scientific and biological bases for dendrochronological methods and theory; 2) techniques of sample collection, crossdating, and analysis; and 3) an introduction to applications of tree-ring data through readings of the literature.  We will meet Thursday afternoons from 1:00 to ~4:00 for a short lecture followed by a practical laboratory session that most students will use to crossdate and analyze their own datasets.  For students without their own projects, we have a group dataset for them to work with during the semester.  We also will schedule an optional Saturday field trip to cover site and tree selection criteria, increment coring and chainsaw sampling techniques, and other field procedures.
 
Text and Readings:
There is no required text, although I have recommended readings from Fritts 1976 (Tree Rings and Climate. Academic Press, reprinted by Blackburn Press, 2001).  I have a copy available in the lab and have reserved a copy in the library, but I would also highly recommend buying it for yourself.  It is available at http://www.blackburnpress.com/trerinandcli.html or on Amazon for $62.95.  Also, later in the semester we will discuss various applications of tree-ring data and PDF copies of the papers will be posted on the course web site.
 
Grading
Active participation in the course is all that is expected and required for an A.  Successful completion of theses and journal articles based on data developed during the semester will be the only exam or term paper required.