2011-12 Graduate Course Descriptions
INTRODUCTION
Following are descriptions of graduate courses offered by the Faculty of Forestry. Forestry's annual graduate course schedule, available from the Faculty Office, Room 1016J, Earth Sciences Centre, provides specific sessional information regarding course availability, timing and location. Instructors should be consulted directly for additional information re: course content, prerequisites and course suitability to a student's program.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
FOR1000H RESEARCH METHODS IN FORESTRY
Research seminars and instruction on research methods and tools. Short practice seminars, literature search, critique of papers, thesis manuscripts, the art of seminar presentation, experimental design and introduction to statistical methods in Forestry. CR/NCR course.
Course instructor: T.J. Carleton
This course is designed to allow students to improve their presentation skills and broaden their appreciation of forest science, at the start of their career. The course will not attempt to critique their own specific research area – a task better left to the students’ supervisory committee. However, students will hone their presentation skills, in weekly in a seminar sessions, and critique the presentations of other students. The assignments will provide hands-on experience of various types of communication, both written and spoken. Participation of students in seminars, during subsequent years of their cohort program will broaden a students’ appreciation of scientific research taking place in forestry. Students are required to attend and participate in weekly research seminars during each winter term, for the remaining cohort years of their program.
Course instructor: T.J. Carleton
FOR1060H SOIL FERTILITY AND TREE NUTRITION
The ecological relationships in soils; organisms in soils and their development in relation to physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils; laboratory analysis of soil, plant and organic material, diagnosis and interpretation of soil and plant analyses; use of soil data in field studies. Offered in alternate years. Not offered 2011-12
Course instructor: TBA
Exclusion: FOR404H1
FOR1280H WOOD PRODUCTS AND PROCESSING
Processing of wood into commercial products including grading, sawmilling, wood drying, wood adhesion and composites, value added products, non-timber forest products, wood deterioration and protection, life cycle analysis of wood-based products. Not offered 2011-12 Course instructor: TBA
Exclusion: FOR405H1
FOR1282H GREEN PROCESS CHEMISTRY
Focuses on the chemistry of wood and wood components, agricultural fibres and the biochemistry of wood formation. The reaction chemistry of wood-based materials: chemical reactions involving cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin and high temperature chemical reactions of wood. Fundamental chemical reactions involved in wood processing: wood modification, pulp and paper manufacture, wood/adhesives interaction and interactions between wood and preservative chemicals. The application of surface analytical techniques such as FTIR, XPS and TOF-SIMS. Laboratory exercises: characterization of wood and agro-fibre chemical components and measurement of viscosity of cellulose.
Course instructor: M. Sain
Exclusion: FOR420H1
FOR1284H ADHESION SCIENCES AND APPLICATIONS
The theory and practice of bonding and adhesion technologies with a focus on their application in wood and wood-based composites. Application techniques for adhesives and evaluation and testing methods for adhesive performance.
Course instructor: N. Yan
FOR1288H Design and Manufacturing of Biomaterials
This course focuses on the manufacturing processes, properties and uses of wood and agricultural fibre based products including wood based composites, ligno-cellulosic/thermoplastic composites and structural or engineered composites. There will be particular emphasis on the effects of adhesives and additives. Rheological behaviour of wood-furnish mats and visco-elastic behaviour of materials and final products.
Course instructor: M. Sain
Exclusion: FOR423H1
FOR1294H Bioenergy and biorefinery technology
This course focuses on technological advances and approaches in deriving biofuels and chemical feedstocks from forest and other biomass. Fundamental chemical attributes of biomass, as they affect the fuel value and potential for deriving liquid, solid and gaseous fuels from the biomass will be discussed. Processing options for valuable chemicals for other applications will also be discussed. Emphasis will also be placed on the economics and processing efficiencies of these conversion technologies.
Course instructor: S. Krigstin
Exclusion: FOR410H1
FOR1321H STAND STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS
Patterns and processes in forest stand dynamics; stand structure, plant size hierarchies, empirical and theoretical approaches to plant competition; stand response to silviculture; forest growth and yield models; analysis and modelling of mixed-species stands; resource-based approaches to forest dynamics; stand-level responses to anthropogenic environmental change. Not offered 2011-12.
Course instructor: S.C. Thomas
FOR1331H ADVANCED FOREST ENTOMOLOGY
Advances in research and operational application in forest entomology. Focus on: insect population dynamics, biodiversity and conservation, ecological indicators, invasive species, biological control, host insect interaction, and integrated management systems.
Course instructor: S.M. Smith
FOR1412H NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 1
FOR1413H NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 2
Directed studies (master's level) course dealing with selected aspects of natural resource management by arrangement between student and individual staff member. A maximum of one directed studies course taken with a student's supervisor can be credited toward meeting departmental degree program requirements. Course instructor: Staff. Note: Prior written agreement of staff member is required to register (a "Request for Individual Reading and/or Research Course" form available from Faculty Office).
FOR1414H FOREST FIRE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
The use of operational research and information technology to develop decision support systems for forest fire managers. The use of mathematical programming models to assess the impact of fire on timber supply, models of fire occurrence processes, search theory and detection planning, deterministic and stochastic models for fire fighter staffing, queueing models for daily air-tanker deployment analysis, and geographic information systems applications in forest fire management.
Course instructor: D.L. Martell
Exclusion: JFG475H1
FOR1415H DECISION MAKING IN FOREST MANAGEMENT
Forest management decision making problems and the use of analytical methods to develop decision making aids that can be used by forest managers.
Course instructor: D.L. Martell
Exclusion: JFG470H1
FOR1416H FOREST FIRE DANGER RATING
The assessment of forest fire danger is a critical aspect of forest fire management. We will review the physical, mathematical and statistical aspects of models used for forest fire danger rating in Canada, including fuel moisture, fire occurrence and fire behaviour models and will examine how these models have been developed based on field and laboratory experimentation and statistical modelling techniques. Through lectures and assignments we will examine the assumptions underlying these models and their use, and develop an understanding of how to modify or develop new models to fit new forest types or management needs.
Course instructor: M. Wotton
Exclusion: FOR419H1
JFS1460H COMMUNITY BASED NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
The course focuses on analyses of relationships between communities and community-based forest management systems (CBFMS) and diversity and appropriateness of institutional arrangements for CBFMS. Multi-dimensional aspects of communities and their dependence on forests, community forestry and community-based forestry, institutional analysis and design principles of community-based institutions, participatory data collection tools, conflicts in forest management, and social capital are covered in the first part of the course. In the second part, students present experiences of CBFMS from different parts of the world. The course is useful to students with diverse backgrounds (e.g., forestry, geography, planning, sociology, social work, political science, international development) but a deep interest in community-based management systems and local institutions. Not offered 2011-12.
Course instructor: TBA
FOR1555H WILDLIFE ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
Topics in temperate and tropical wildlife ecology and conservation: roles of wildlife in forest ecosystems; key concepts in management and conservation; impacts of forestry practices and landscape modification on wildlife populations; ecology and viability of wildlife populations; human uses and abuses of game and non-game species.
Course instructor: J.R. Malcolm
Exclusion: FOR413H1
FOR1570H ECOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES OF AGROFORESTRY
The differences between agriculture and forestry in the so-called developing world are less distinct than in most developed countries. This course introduces the many roles that trees and forests play in agricultural land-use systems primarily in the third world. The primary focus will be on agroforestry systems; biological and management aspects of agroforestry within socio-economic constraints of the developing world; sustainability of particular agroforestry systems. Agroforestry has been recognized as one of the few areas in which technology transfer has been from "south to north" and consequently its role in the temperate zone will be discussed. Not offered 2011-12.
Course instructor: TBA
Exclusion: FOR417H1
FOR1575H URBAN FOREST CONSERVATION
Course objective: to provide background on the many challenges facing those charged with the responsibility of managing urban forest ecosystems. A major theme will be the need to address these challenges within the context of planning and legislative processes. Topics: the historical role of tree and green spaces in urban environments; socio-economic and environmental benefits; urban forests and the law; stresses acting on trees in the urban environment and potential remedial measures.
Course instructor: TBA
Exclusion: FOR416H1
FOR1585H URBAN FOREST CONSERVATION FIELD CAMP
The Urban Forest Conservation Field Camp will consist of five days examining urban forestry issues in the GTA and 5-7 additional days visiting municipalities in southern and eastern Ontario, Quebec as well as the northern USA. Topics will include urban forest inventories, nursery production, arboricultural techniques, urban woodland management, urban forest health, urban forest administration, urban dendrology and urban forestry research. Note: Summer session course/activity.
Course instructor: TBA
Exclusion: FOR418H1
FOR1610H Sustainable Forest Management & Certification
The field and practice of sustainable forest management and certification are rapidly evolving. This course is designed to provide an overview of sustainable forest management policies and programs from a provincial, national and international perspective. Through the implementation of such policies and programs, various outcomes should be achieved (ecological sustainability, biodiversity conservation, economic stability and community longevity). Historical perspectives, current initiatives and future opportunities are reviewed. The successes achieved by the implementation of such a program are measured through the use of criteria and indicators and certification processes. The ISO, SFI, the Canadian Standards Association, the Forest Stewardship Council and other certification processes are studied.
Course Instructor: C.T. Smith
FOR1900H ADVANCED TOPICS IN FORESTRY 1
FOR1901H ADVANCED TOPICS IN FORESTRY 2
A directed studies and/or research course at the advanced (Ph.D.) level by arrangement between student and individual staff member. A maximum of one directed studies course taken with a student's supervisor can be credited toward meeting departmental degree program requirements. Course instructor: Staff. Note: Prior written agreement of staff member is required to register (using a "Request for Individual Reading and/or Research Course" form available from Faculty office).
FOR3000H CURRENT ISSUES IN FOREST CONSERVATION
Major approaches and challenges facing effective conservation of the world’s forests are addressed through critical analysis of Canadian and international forest management and practices, including global land use conflicts within inhabited and pristine landscapes, aboriginal communities and the forest industry. Guest lectures and professionally-based assignments are used to investigate ENGO and governmental perspectives in topical areas including climate change, carbon sequestration, endangered species legislation, value-added wood product technology, and biomolecular advances.
Course instructor: S.M. Smith
FOR3001H BIODIVERSITY OF FOREST ORGANISMS
Introduction to systematics, identification and classification of plants and animals comprising the main taxonomic groups of forest organisms: trees, fungi, bryophytes, lichens, ferns, conifers and other Gymnosperms, Angiosperms, insects, other arthropods, amphibia, reptiles, birds and mammals. Community ecology, diversity and function in relation to forest management planning are addressed through field trips, lectures & a team-based consultant report. The course is composed of a 8-day field camp at the beginning of term, followed by lectures and field trips covering topics in biodiversity of forested landscapes and ecosystems.
Course instructor: J. R. Malcolm
FOR3002H APPLIED FOREST ECOLOGY AND SILVICULTURE
An examination of the natural processes that determine the structure and function of forest ecosystems at the tree, stand and landscape scale, and approaches to integrating ecological theory in forest management practice. Topics include silvics and functional ecology of tree species, forest succession, soils and biogeochemical cycles, stand dynamics, growth and yield modelling, silvicultural systems and forest conservation ecology. The emphasis will be on northern temperate forests with select examples from other regions. Field and laboratory exercises will provide practical experience in forest biometrics and inventory, silvicultural experimental design, stand management prescriptions and the use of forest landscape databases and models.
Course instructor: S.C. Thomas
FOR3003H ECONOMICS OF FOREST ECOSYSTEMS
The focus of the course is to build theoretical foundations of economic issues related to forest ecosystems and to develop an understanding of their applications to real life situations of forest conservation. The different economic concepts related to forest ecosystems are taught in a three-step process - theory, practice, and application. First, some basic concepts of economics, such as consumer choice, firm behavior, and competitive markets are introduced. The second part of the course is organized in five units – one unit each on welfare theory, rent theory, cost-benefit analysis, forest rotation, and international trade of forest products.
Course instructor: S. Kant
FOR3004H FOREST MANAGEMENT DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS
The use of analytical methods and mathematical modelling in the planning for sustainable management of forests and integration of the ecological, economic and social issues related to forest management. Introduction of various decision-making techniques such as linear programming, computer simulation and geographic information systems.
Course instructor: D.L. Martell
FOR3005H STRESSES IN THE FOREST ENVIRONMENT
The natural functioning of forest systems with emphasis on the disruption caused by stress factors in tree and forest development. Classification and identification of important stresses including pollution, forest insects, diseases and competing vegetation. The role of environmental factors that influence forest health will be considered at the level of the cell, tree and stand. Students will apply the principles and techniques of managing disturbed forests to both urban and general forest situations. An integrated approach to sustaining forest health will be taken through exposure to strategies of decision-making in appropriate laboratory and project assignments.
Course instructors: S.C. Thomas
FOR3006H CASE STUDY ANALYSIS IN FOREST MANAGEMENT
Case Study Analysis in Forest Management: The course focuses on developing skills in integrating forest management related knowledge from natural and social sciences , and offers opportunities, through discussion of case studies, to learn applications of knowledge from natural and social sciences to the solution of real-life multi-dimensional forest management problems. Concepts related to integration science and case study analysis are introduced and many case studies, related to forest conservation, forests for industrial production, forestry NGOs, international forestry, trade of forest products, wildlife management, public participation, and Aboriginal forestry are discussed.
Course instructor: S. Kant
FOR3007H INTERNSHIP IN FOREST CONSERVATION
A guided research practical internship to take place in the summer following the first winter session to provide students with experience in applying concepts, principles and methods acquired in formal courses to the solution of practical forest management problems. Students, individually or in groups, will carry out detailed analyses of practical problems in forest conservation at a field location in Canada or abroad. The internship will include interaction with forest managers and individuals or groups involved in forest-related issues. The results of the internship will be used in the subsequent fall semester to prepare practical policy recommendations which will be incorporated in a research paper, consulting report or management plan (see FOR3008F). CR/NCR course. Note: Summer session course/activity.
Course coordinator: S. Krigstin
FOR3008H RESEARCH PAPER IN FOREST CONSERVATION
This course will involve analysing information and preparing formal reports based on the summer internship, in consultation with individual faculty supervisors. Students will deliver brief seminar presentations on their work, and there will be an oral defence of the final paper.
Course coordinator: S. Krigstin/Smith, C.T.
FOR3009H FOREST CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
An examination of the properties, patterns of use and current conditions of each of the major forest ecosystems of the world, in conjunction with associated human communities; evolution of concepts of forest conservation, sustainable forestry and ecosystem preservation; the effectiveness of regulatory approaches and management practices in different societies, regions and nations.
Course instructor: J. R. Malcolm
FOR3010H SOCIETY AND FOREST CONSERVATION
The course will primarily focus on social and political dimensions of people-forest interactions in the context of global opportunities and challenges associated with contemporary concepts of sustainable forest management (SFM). The course will explore historical evolution of forest governance, current challenges and future opportunities from national and international perspectives. Using the analytical lens of sustainability, equity and justice, we will explore various dimensions of SFM concepts and practice, including criteria and indicators for sustainability, and certification processes. The course will be run as a seminar, with student-led activities, research and presentations.
Course instructor: N. Singh
FOR3011H INTERNATIONAL FOREST CONSERVATION FIELD CAMP
An intensive two-week field course based at international field stations will take place at the beginning of the summer term following the first academic session of the program. (See "Field Work Note" under "Introduction".) The application of theoretical principles acquired in academic core courses to practical projects in community forestry and forest conservation. The course will involve students in group research and assessment, and will include cooperation with local training and research institutes, conservation projects and non-government organizations. A number of international course locations will be used. CR/NCR course.
Course coordinators: Thomas/Yan Note: Summer session course/activity.
FOR3012H ANALYTICAL METHODS IN FORESTRY
A series of modules designed to provide an introduction to practical methods in basic statistics, geographic information systems (GIS), conflict resolution and social sciences. Students will be required to complete at least three of four modules.
Course coordinator: Smith, S.