Forestry

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Andrew D Cameron

Pre-requisites

None.

Overview

The aims of this course are as follows:-
• To gain a wider knowledge of the interactions of silviculture practice within the natural environment
• To address a range of issues associated with silviculture at both national and international levels
• To understand how the knowledge gained from the course integrates within the wider field of forestry and to develop skills and confidence to define one’s own learning priorities.

Structure

The course will be based on lectures tutorials with one-half day field visit (depending on timetables). The course will run throughout the second half of the first semester.

Assessment

Assessment is based on one extended assignment (75% of marks) and one presentation (25% of marks).

Credit Points

7.5

Course Coordinator

Dr Michelle Pinard

Pre-requisites

Registered for the MSc Forestry Programme

Co-requisites

None

Notes

Overview

Course Aims: To synthesize knowledge from various fields of forestry and to develop skills and confidence to define one's own learning priorities for professional development.

Main Learning Outcomes:
To more effectively review scientific papers and concepts, and to identify the salient points
To evaluate, interpret and criticise material from different sources
To articulate ideas, both in an oral and written form.

Content:
Defined by the student and member of staff acting as mentor/supervisor

Structure

There will be one 2-hour session at the start and end of the course where the class meets with the co-ordinator. The other contact time will be arranged with project supervisors within the School.

Assessment

100% continuous assessment (10% concept, 20% oral presentation, 70% evidence presented by the student to indicate attainment of learning objective (usually in the form of a critical essay, a website, a seminar).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Louise Page

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

The aim of the course is to provide a sound understanding of the underlying principles of wood properties, and how wood is harvested and used.

Content:

- structure and properties of wood including cell structure, reaction wood and growth stress, strength properties and drying.
- timber harvesting and extraction, including reduced impact logging in the tropics
- wood uses (sawn, board, pulp and paper, wood fuel)
- forest certification.

Structure

6 week course: four 1-2 hour classes per week plus tutorials (to be arranged). Two visits to complement classwork: one to a forest harvesting site, one to a sawmill.

Assessment

Continuous assessment (100%), based on 5/6 assignments.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Stephen Woodward

Pre-requisites

Registered for MSc Forestry programme.

Co-requisites

x

Notes

Overview

The goal of the course is to familiarize students with a range of abiotic and biotic agents that can cause damage in forests, with a particular emphasis on the ecological impacts of the different agents and, where appropriate, the ecology of the organisms involved. Impacts of damage-causing agents will also be considered.

Structure

The course is taught using lectures, seminars and case studies.

Assessment

Assessment is through continuous assessment (100%), typically two essays and two case studies.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Steve Woodward

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Notes

Overview

Trees and the law; trees in relation to buildings; planting trees on derelict land; urban tree surveys and reporting; trees for amenity and recreation; urban ecology; recognition of hazard trees.

Structure

Lectures

Assessment

Exam (50%) and continuous assessment (50%)

Credit Points

7.5

Course Coordinator

Dr M A Pinard

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

Course Aims: To synthesize knowledge from various fields of forestry and to develop skills and confidence to define one's own learning priorities for professional development.

Main Learning Outcomes:
To more effectively review scientific papers and concepts, and to identify the salient points
To evaluate, interpret and criticise material from different sources
To articulate ideas, both in an oral and written form.

Content:
Defined by the student and member of staff acting as mentor/supervisor

Structure

There will be one 2-hour session at the start and end of the course where the class meets with the co-ordinator. The other contact time will be arranged with project supervisors within the School.

Assessment

100% continuous assessment (10% concept, 20% oral presentation, 70% evidence presented by the student to indicate attainment of learning objective (usually in the form of a critical essay, a website, a seminar).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Louise Page

Pre-requisites

None.

Overview

The course is designed to give an understanding of the measurement of single trees and tree crops, forecasting of yield from thinnings and clear fells, methods of inventory of forests, application of remote sensing in inventories.

Structure

4 one hour lectures per week; and 4 field trips.

Assessment

Assessment is through continuous assessment (100%), typically two essays and two case studies.

Credit Points

7.5

Course Coordinator

Dr Louise Page

Pre-requisites

x

Co-requisites

x

Notes

Overview

The aim of the course is to demonstrate various aspects of forest ecology and management in Great Britain.

Content:

- visits to forests in North Britain, meeting those responsible for managing the forests
- forests visted will include those in both the public and private sector
- forest management objectives discussed will be environmental, social and economic
- exercises on forest ecology and management.

Structure

One week residential field course based in Inverness or the Lake District (alternating years) to include five full day forest visits. Five tutorials will be held in Aberdeen before and after the trip.

Assessment

Continuous assessment (1000%), based on 3 assignments.

Credit Points

7.5

Course Coordinator

Dr Louise Page

Pre-requisites

x

Co-requisites

x

Notes

Overview

The aim of the course is to demonstrate the effect of differing national policies on the practice of forestry and to gain experience of forest management in southwest Germany.

Content:

- visits to forests in the Freiburg region of Germany, meeting those responsible for managing the forests and also the staff and students of the Forestry Faculty of the University of Freiburg
- forests visted will include state, community and private forests
- visits will enable students to study forests' ecology and management for environmental protection and conservation, recreation, rural development (including community woodlands) and timber production
- exercises on forest transformation.

Structure

One week field course based in Freiburg, Germany, to include five full day forest visits. Five tutorials will be held in Aberdeen before and after the trip.

Assessment

Continuous assessment (100%), based on 3 assignments.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Michelle A Pinard and Dr Mike D Swaine

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Notes

Overview

This course reviews the ecological basis for tropical forest management, including tree seed production, dispersal and germination, seeding ecology, species guilds, tree population dynamics and the effects of disturbance. Silvicultural systems appropriate for natural forest management in the tropics are described and we review the current status of management in tropical countries, including programmes aimed at promoting sustainable forestry in the tropics. Students explore relevant issues in research, conservation, policy and marketing.

Structure

4 hours lectures and 4 hours tutorials each week, over 6 weeks.

Assessment

Discussion, essays, seminar, tutorials.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Louise Page

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Notes

Overview

Course Aims: To develop an understanding of different approaches to managing forest resources.

Main Learning Outcomes:
1. Be familiar with the concept of sustainable forest management
2. Understand forest management plans
3. Be familiar with the main approaches to yield control.
4. Be aware of forest management for non timber forest products.
5. Have some understanding of forest economics and be familiar with the financial criteria used in forest management.
6. Be aware of some important forest pests and diseases and how they may be managed.

Content: Historical use of forest resources, forest management planning, role of management plans, yield control, non timber forest products, forest economics and financial appraisal, forest protection (i.e. protection from the major forest pests and diseases.

Structure

6-week course: Three 2-hour classes per week sand practical sessions on Thursdays including workshops, field visits and practicals using computer programs.

Assessment

Continuous Assessment (100%) based on 5-6 assignments.