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Forest Resources Technology
Program Overview
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Subject areas covered
by this program are listed below.
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Clicking on a subject heading
(click to
expand/ collapse) will
show (or hide) additional detail.
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Square brackets [] indicate hours per week in [lecture:seminar:lab].
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Forestland Resource Management
(click to
expand/ collapse)
The full spectrum of forestland resources are explored.
Extensive use is made of experts in the natural resources sector.
Subjects include fish, wildlife, recreation, aesthetics, First
Nations/heritage values, karst, water quality, biodiversity, and non-timber
forest products.
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FRST 143 -
Forest Hydrology and Riparian Management [2:0:2]
A proposed new
course that addresses the principles of applied forest hydrology and the
requirements of fresh water fish habitat.
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FRST 242 - Integrated Resource
Management [2:1:3]
An introduction to British Columbia's
natural resources and resource-based industries, aimed at broadening the
appreciation of other demands on forest land use. Topics include First
Nations, karst, water, forestry, range, fisheries, wildlife, biodiveristy
and recreation. Extensive use is made of qualified guest speakers from various
resource spheres. Students will also participate in seminars that examine
current issues. Accepted towards VIU's Bachelor of Science, Major in Biology
degree.
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Forest
Ecology (click to expand/ collapse)
The courses in this group provide the ecological foundation upon
which sound forestland management decisions can be made.
Fundamental is the study of botany (with a focus on tree
physiology and forest plants) and soils (the ultimate resource for forests).
Proper ecological site classification is critical for good forest management
decisions.
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FRST 131 - Forest Botany
[3:0:2]
An introduction to
dendrology and silvics of native British Columbia trees. Topics include the
anatomy of herbaceous and woody stems, roots, leaves, and reproductive
structures, biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification, site assessment, and
preparing a collection of site indicator plant species.
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FRST 132 - Forest Ecology I
[1:0:2]
An introduction to forest ecosystems. Topics include the physiological and silvical
characteristics of coastal tree species, the detailed study of
biogeoclimatic zones of British Columbia.
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FRST 151 - Soils I [1.5:0:1.5]
An introduction to soil
science with a focus on the physical characteristics and processes.
Students will be introduced to basic geology, geomorphology and their
influence on soil make-up, development and physical properties. Also
studied are maintenance of site productivity and prevention of site
degradation.
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FRST 152 - Soils II [1.5:0:1.5]
A continuation of Forest
Soils I with a greater focus on chemical properties and the relationship
between soil and the forested environment. Students will be introduced
to organic matter processing and recycling, forest floor development,
nutrient cycling and soils classification.
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FRST 234 - Ecological Site Diagnosis [1 week field
course]
A
field-oriented course to provide skills in forest ecosystem recognition and
mapping.
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FRST 235 - Forest Ecology II
[2:0:2]
An advanced study of
coastal forest ecosystems. Topics include stand dynamics, succession,
nutrient cycling and forest
ecosystem responses to natural and human disturbances.
FRST 231 - Silviculture I
is a co-requisite.
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Mapping & Traversing (click to expand/
collapse)
These courses cover fundamental skills
required for anyone who works or recreates in the back country.
Essential is the ability to "read" maps and air photos in order to determine
your location and how to navigate to where you next want to go. Also
critical is the ability to create accurate maps based on your observations.
Courses in this grouping cover surveying skills, mapping, air photos
and GIS.
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FRST 111 - Forest Measures I
[2:0:3]
Introduction to forest surveying. Topics:
field notes; measurements of distance; direction and elevation; calculations
and hand plotting related to traverses; computer applications to survey data
including area calculations; obtaining, recording and plotting of
topographic detail; and care, maintenance, and adjustment of surveying
instruments.
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FRST 121 - Spatial Data
[3:0:3]
Practical use of air
photos and maps are stressed. Topics include: navigation in the woods,
stereoscopic (3D) viewing; determination of scale, distance, area, and tree
heights; as well as the use of web mapping utilities, satellite imagery and
GPS.
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FRST 382 - GIS for Natural Sciences [2:0:2]
Concepts of geographic information systems (GIS) are delivered within the
context of natural resources. The labs are designed around forest
management issues; "keystroke skills" are developed while solving a series
of management issues. ArcGIS is the software used.
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Engineering & Harvesting
(click to expand/
collapse)
One of the most effective ways to
ensure forestland is managed properly is to be the one making the decisions
regarding what gets harvested or protected. The process of harvesting trees and delivering them to
the mills is examined. A critical balance is required
between ecosystem based management (EBM), logistics and economics.
Topics inlcude the layout and design of resource
roads, harvesting systems, logging and log transportation.
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FRST 261 - Logging [1:0:3]
Intro to the role of harvesting in
multiple-use forestry and its control and planning, including tree-to-truck
harvesting systems for BC coast and interior. Lab exercises include the use
of power saws and emphasize logging layout.
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FRST 262 - Harvesting [2:0:2]
Cost control of operations using budgets,
interest rate calculations, machine rates, equipment replacement, and
inventory control. Logging contracts and construction project planning will
be addressed.
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FRST 271 - Roads & Transportation
[1:0:3]
Basic forest engineering skills for
truck-road location, including road curves, grade lines, traversing, and
plans and profiles. Survey and road standards. Earthworks calculations.
Computer-aided road design.
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FRST 272 - Roads [2:0:2]
A study of development plans in
log-production planning and scheduling. Topics include GIS-aided development
planning; environmental constraints and proper forestry practices; culvert
and bridge design; and assessment and costing roads.
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Computer Applications & IT
(click to
expand/ collapse)
Forest professionals make extensive
use of technology in all aspects of the job. These include laser
range finders, GPS, GIS and handheld computers. Computer applications, both generic office-oriented and
forestry-specific, are covered. Also included are handheld applications
for surveying and resource assessment.
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Silviculture
(click to expand/ collapse)
Even before harvesting begins,
planning for the next forest is needed. This requires an assessment of
the ecology, all resource values and critical site factors. These
courses cover an in-depth examination of the art and science of the
establishment, growth, composition, health and quality of forest stands.
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FRST 231 - Silviculture I [2:0:2]
Introduction to
silviculture systems commonly used to establish and maintain
forests for a variety of management goals (i.e. timber,
biodiversity, old growth characteristics, wildlife, etc.).
FRST 235 - Forest Ecology II is a co-requisite.
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FRST 232 - Silviculture II [3:0:4]
Concepts and techniques
for forest regeneration and stand tending are examined,
including: genetics, seedling physiology, site preparation,
vegetation and stand density management. Also studied
are
silviculture
assessments/surveys, record-keeping, contract
administration,
timber supply and
sustained yield.
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Forest
Protection & Health (click to expand/
collapse)
As is evident by the recent
mountain pine beetle outbreak, forests can be negatively
impacted by insects (or fire, or disease). The various agents that threaten the health of
forest trees are studied in the classic breakout of three courses: fire,
disease and insects. Each course begins with the scientific concepts of
the disturbance agents, including
their ecological role, and then continues with
practical and applied management techniques for minimizing impacts.
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FRST 162 - Fire
Management [2:0:2]
Overview of Canadian Forest Fire Weather
Index; fire weather; fuels, topography and their influence on fire behaviour;
fire management, detection and suppression; use of hand tools, fire pumps,
heavy equipment, and aircraft; fire command organization; and fire use for
slash and hazard abatement, forest, range, silviculture, and wildlife
management projects.
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FRST 351 - Forest Pathology
[2:0:2]
An introduction to tree
disease as it relates to the forest trees of BC. Focus is on
agents that cause significant economic or environmental
impact. Emphasis is on diagnostics, mechanisms of infection
and spread, and practical disease management options.
Accepted towards VIU's bachelor degrees (Biology, Fisheries,
Resource Management Protection, Geography, etc.).
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FRST 352 - Forest Entomology
[2:0:2]
An introduction to insects which cause significant damage to
forest trees. It begins with a overview of the world
of insects and then continues with significant insect pests
in BC's forests. Specific topics studied: life cycles
& basic biology, impacts (economic, hydrology, wildlife
habitat, species shift, carbon sequestration), diagnostics,
and practical management options.
Accepted towards VIU's bachelor
degrees (Biology, Fisheries, Resource Management Protection,
Geography, etc.).
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Forest
Measures & Assessments (click to expand/
collapse)
Critical to management of
any resource is an accurate assessment of how much you have.
This course group includes timber cruising (basic tree
measurements through to call grading and net factoring of standing timber),
plantation assessments, post-harvest surveys, and forest inventory that
includes a broad spectrum of resources (e.g. wildlife habitat, stream reach
classification, and visual quality.
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FRST 173 - Field Skills [1 week
field course]
An introduction to basic
field survey procedures used in forestry. Topics include road
and boundary surveying, deflection lines, baseline establishment, stream
surveys, fixed area plot sampling (silviculture surveys, residue and waste,
timber cruising) and electronic field instrumentation.
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FRST 112 - Forest
Inventory
[3:0:3]
An
introduction to the measurement of standing and felled
timber. Topics include:
procedures for calculating log volumes, coastal log grading,
basic
tree measures, tree & stand volume calculations, disease/defect
assessment, log quality and audit procedures.
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FRST 211 - Forest
Biometrics
[2:0:2]
An introduction to
determination of volume and value of logs and standing timber in British
Columbia. Topics include: , and call grade net factoring of standing timber according to
industry standards and post-harvesting residue
assessments.
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FRST 212 -
Silviculture Assessment
[1:0:1]
A study of measurement and sampling procedures used in
silviculture (plantation) assessments.
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Administration & Policy
(click to expand/
collapse)
Forestland management is predicated
upon sound policy and effective legislation. These courses comprise a small
but vital part of the program.
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FRST 144 - Forest
Resources Administration [3:0:0]
Intro to forest resources administration
agencies of BC and Canada, focusing on forest management. Emphasis on
legislation, tenure,
history, structure, and
functions of the BC Ministry of Forests; BC stumpage
appraisal systems, and regulations that govern natural resources
management.
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Math &
Communications
(click to expand/
collapse)
Fundamental to many professions are
the everyday skills in math and communications. We are fortunate
to have 1 in-house and 3 service courses dedicated to basic skills in
mathematics and written & oral communications.
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ENGL 115 University Writing & Research
[3:0:0]
An introduction to critical thinking and
reading, academic writing, and research skills, consistent with the
conditions and expectations students encounter as readers and writers at
university.
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ENGL 225 Business & Technical Writing
[3:0:0]
A study in technical communications
including planning and organization, outlining, summarizing, presenting
data, handling references, and editing for students in business, technical,
and other programs. Oral presentations are part of the in-class work
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MATH 181 - Introduction to Statistics
[4:0:1]
An introduction to descriptive statistics
for the technology programs. Topics include organizing, displaying, and
summarizing data; measures of central tendency and dispersion; probability,
probability distributions, random sampling, confidence intervals,
capture/recapture, hypothesis testing, linear regression, correlation,
goodness-of-fit, and independence. Statistical software is used to
illustrate concepts and remove computational drudgery.
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FRST 201 -
Research & Communications [0:3:0]
A
continuation of technical report writing with an emphasis on topics related
to forest resources. Students undertake an investigative project (research)
of an applied and practical nature. The course also
facilitates improvement in public speaking skills.
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