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Rangeland
Weed Management
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Dr. Karen
Launchbaugh
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Course Description: Rangeland Weed Management (3 cr). This course will explore the ecological principles behind weed invasions on rangelands with special focus on early detection, integration of management strategies, monitoring, prevention of invasions, and restoration of degraded rangelands. We will also address coordinated weed management and planning at the landscape level. Recommended prerequisite: PlSc 338, Rnge 354. Course Goals: 1.
Foster an awareness of weed related issues on rangelands. Text book: Sheley, R.L. and J.K. Petroff. (eds.) 1999. Biology and Management of Noxious Rangeland Weeds. Ore on State University Press, Corvallis, OR This book provides a good overview of rangeland weed issues and is a required text. Additional readings will be necessary to give depth for most topics. Tests: Your mastery of the material will be examined in 3 tests (worth 100 points each) that will be administered periodically through the semester. Each test will cover a specified section of the semester, though information for previous sections may be necessary to understand concepts. Test questions will be problems, short answer, and essay. Test Policy: Take the test when it is scheduled! If you cannot take the test when scheduled, you must visit with me personally before the test. If your excuse is acceptable, there will be no penalty for taking the test late. If you do not notify me of your absence, you can still take the test, but there will be a penalty: Minus 25% for up to 1 week late; minus 50% after 1 week following the test. Quizzes and Assignments: This course will include 4 unannounced quizzes or in-class assignments (each worth 20 points), which will be given during the semester. Each quiz will cover readings or material discussed in the current or previous class. Short assignments will also be given to be completed in class or by the next class period. If you are unable to attend class and do not want to miss a quiz, let me know before the quiz, and I'll figure your score without that quiz. If you don't let me know in advance that you are going to miss a quiz, you will get a 0 for the quiz. If attendance becomes an issue, the points may be given or withheld for that reason. Pet Weed Project: Each student will be asked to develop a short manuscript on a weed of your choice (with a few restrictions). As we work through the semester you will need to learn how specific concepts apply to your "pet weed." Concepts will include biology, phenology, competition, distribution, economic impact, control measures, etc. For each concept you will research the topic as it applies to your specified weed and write a short report (each report is worth 40 points). At the end of the semester students will make a brief presentation in class (worth 50 points), and develop a webpage for your weed (worth 50 points). Grading for 2007:
Grade Distribution: 90‑100% of total points=A; 80‑89% of total points=B; 70‑79% of total points=C; 60‑69% of total points = D; <60% of total points=F If you are in any way unable to participate in class or any activity, or take exams in the normal fashion, please notify me as close to the beginning of the semester as possible so I can make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your situation. Any claim should be accompanied by a note from the Disability Support Services office documenting your special need. Academic Dishonesty Policy: Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class. Any form of cheating, copying, or plagiarism will result in 0 points for the exam, quiz or assignment and a possible failing grade in the course. I will follow guidelines for Academic Honesty (Article II) in the U of I Student Code of Conduct.
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