Course Descriptions

• FOR 1120 / FORL 1120 Dendrology / Lab (2/1 credits)

This course offers, through classroom study and field observation, identification of regional species by leaves, twigs, bark and fruit characteristics. Students master knowledge of family, genus and species of each specimen, as well as knowledge of species association, and succession, knowledge of the major commercial species of trees and their uses and the understanding of the use of dichotomous keys as an aid for plant identification. While classroom instruction deals primarily with North American higher plants, the laboratory portion of this course deals exclusively with southeastern species. (While one of the more difficult courses in the curriculum (due to memorization), most students agree that this is their most fondly remembered course.)

• FOR 1160 Forest Soils, Water, and Hydrology (2 credits)

This course focuses on the soil in perspective, soil and vegetation development, effects of fire on soil and site, forest soil biology, forest soil and tree roots, chemical properties of soils, diagnosis and correction of soil deficiencies, nutrient cycling, soil and site productivity, and the fertilization and herbicide use on forest soils. In addition, the study of hydrology and water, water movement in plants and soils is also explored. Florida’s Best Management Practices and Silviculture Guidelines are also included to address the potential problems associated with forestry practices and the best ways to prevent these potential problems. While there is no lab associated with this course, some lecture time is devoted to outdoor activities. (Oh Yeah - Even foresters have to roll up their sleeves and get "dirty" sometimes.)

• FOR 1210 / FORL 1210 Forest Protection / Lab (2 credits)

Industrial, public and private fire control, proper use of fire as a Forest Operations tool, and assessment of fire damage are covered in this course. Economically significant southern forest insects and disease will be studied. An insect collection representing twelve orders and at least five of the major forest insects of the Southern forest is required. Hands-on control burning, identification of diseases, insects and their damage will be the primary emphasis of the laboratory. Weather permitting; the student will get the opportunity to "feel the heat". (Smokey Alert - Fire is a dynamic property. While most students really like this portion of this class, if you play with fire YOU WILL GET BURNED!)

• FOR 2163 / FORL 2163 Silviculture/Reforestation / Lab (5/1 credits)

This course focuses on the silvics of trees, natural regeneration, species choices in reforestation, site quality, tree growth, genetic improvement, artificial regeneration, marking/thinning, hardwood regeneration, contractor compliance, and Best Management Practices review. The lab portion of this class incorporates field trips to various industry sites, private and governmental, to observe silvicultural and reforestation practices, also pine nurseries that exemplify actual practices of lecture discussions. (A forest is a thing of beauty. How can professional foresters enhance this natural resource and strengthen this phenomenon to fulfill the needs of mankind while maintaining Mother Nature’s handiwork?)

• FOR 2433 / FORL 2433 Aerial Photography Interpretation and Forest Mapping / Lab (2/1 credits)

During this course the student will set up for stereo viewing, scale measurement, height measurement, timber type and boundary mapping, bearings and distances, area determination, identification and interpretation. The lab portion of this class addresses aerial photo interpretation and mapping of forested lands. (Foresters don’t need to ask for directions, they can make the map).

• FOR 2450 / FORL 2450 Forest Measurements 1 (2/1 credits)

Proper use of forest measuring equipment, computer software usage in cruise work-ups, land descriptions, log scaling practices, log rules and volume tables, cruising and inventory techniques, sampling statistics, and introduction to log and tree grading are presented. Introduction to Forest Mensuration methods, analysis, and fixed radius line plot cruising using 1/100^th acre plot sampling techniques. The lab offers hands-on methods, analysis and plot sampling techniques. (You can’t make a 2 by 4 from a 1" tree).

• FOR 2451 / FORL 2451 Forest Measurements and Appraisal II (2/1 credits)

This course focuses on variable point sampling and prism cruising, theory and practice, sampling techniques, volume tables, stand and stock tables, cruise statistics, cruising natural and planted stands, and evaluating timbered stands for product and value determination. Labs consist of weekly field exercises, check points, field critiques, and timber cruise software. (Volume estimation is an art! – Some of us are not artists, some are.)

• FOR 2741 / FORL 2741 Forest Harvesting Technology (2 credits)

The course presents subjects concerning timber acquisition, harvest planning, forest road construction, tree processing, human behavior (groups and individuals), motivation, leadership, planning, decision making, rating and evaluation, controlling the work force, and conflict resolution. Field labs consist of trips to local timber harvesting operations that exemplify lectures. (You can’t use trees for products if you don’t cut em.)

• FOR 2751 / FORL 2751 Procurement Forestry Lab (3 credits)

Students are introduced to procurement forestry using fixed radius line plot cruising, justification for measurements, purpose of forest inventory, tree tallies, timber inventory and the sampling process, growth projection, fitting curves, plotting of averages, and curve balancing. This course explores the stumpage procurement for various user facilities. The laboratory portion consists of cruising two or more 150 acre tracts of timber with a report to include all of the above. (This is near the end. Students solve a real world situation and generate a professional report for their "boss.")