FORESTRY

Credit Points

5

Course Coordinator

Dr L Page

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Notes

Strongly recommended course for all students with a degree intention in Forestry or Forest Science. Open to students with degree intentions in other (mostly, SBS-coordinated) programmes. This course is only available to students from the School of Biological Sciences, with a preference to those students for whom it is strongly recommended for their degree.

Overview

Students are instructed in tree identification skills, basic techniques in forest mensuration and approaches to forest management. These aspects are taught in the context of field excursion to forest sites in NE Scotland, with further study in the Cruickshank Arboretum.

Structure

Four days of field excursion to local forest sites plus one day of field study in the Cruickshank Arboretum.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Students are assessed on tree identification and mensuration techniques; submission of a written report on field work.

Resit: Retake course.

Formative Assessment

Continuous discourse amongst students and academic staff ensures enhanced skills in tree identification, forest mensuration and management.

Feedback

Verbal feedback is provided on all components of assessment during the field trip; written feedback is provided on short written reports.

Credit Points

7.5

Course Coordinator

Dr L Page

Pre-requisites

BI 1509

Co-requisites

None

Notes

Available to any student who has the pre-requisite and a degree intention in a programme run by SBS. If places allow, it may be open to other students.

Overview

The course comprises visits to forests (including ancient semi-natural woodlands) in both the public and private sectors in the north of Britain. Students will meet those responsible for managing these forests and will have the opportunity of discussing forest management objectives in environmental, social and economic contexts. Students will carry out exercises relating to forest ecology and management. Topics covered include those relating to forest ecology and tree identification, woodland creation, restoration and management (for environmental protection and conservation, recreation and timber production) and arboriculture.

Structure

One week residential field course during Easter vacation in either Scotland or England (alternate years).

Assessment

1st Attempt: Coursework (100%). Report on visits made and exercises undertaken, and written reflection on the week as a whole.

Resit: Coursework (100%). Report on visits made and exercises undertaken, and written reflection on the week as a whole.

Formative Assessment

Students will be encouraged to submit draft daily reports during the course to receive feedback before submitting their final report.

Feedback

Students will receive written feedback on each day's report before the final report has to be submitted.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A Cameron

Pre-requisites

Open to 3rd year students enrolled in a degree programme administered by the School of Biological Sciences.

Co-requisites

None

Overview

This course considers the scientific basis of establishing, maintaining, thinning and regenerating forests within the limits of soils, topography and climate. We will examine forest structure and sites, species choice, production of forest trees, natural regeneration, forest nutrition, sustainability, thinning and stand stability, wood quality, mixed-species forests, silvicultural systems and irregular sulviculture. The relationship between Silviculture and Forest Management is emphasised.

Structure

Six week course in first half session (weeks 18-23). Eight 1-hour sessions per week and a half-day field trip. Typically, 6 1-hour lectures per week plus 2 1-hour discussions or tutorials. Total contact hours: 50 hours.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Assessment is based on one 3-hour written examination. Four questions out of 8 (80% of overall mark) and one essay (20% of overall mark).

Resit: One 3-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment will be provided during this interaction and during student-led discussions and tutor-led tutorials.
A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during seminar and workshop sessions.

Feedback

Feedback will be given by staff to students regarding their participation in discussions and tutorials and their appreciation of course content.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr L Page

Pre-requisites

Acceptance to an Honours programme in a degree administered by the School of Biological Sciences.

Co-requisites

None

Overview

The course covers the various properties of wood (timber), how it is harvested and its different end uses, including woodfuel.

Structure

The course is taught over six weeks in the second half of the first semester.

Four 2 hour classroom sessions per week. These will usually be an informal lecture, but will also include discussions and student presentations. There will also be two field visits. Total contact hours: 48 hours. Lectures/discussions/presentations and 12 h field trips; in total 60 hours.

Assessment

1st Attempt: One 2 hour examination (60%)
Coursework (40%), composed of an essay 2000-3000 words (20%), a presentation (8%), two reports on field visits max 1000 words each (6% each).

Resit: One 2 hour examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment will be provided during this interaction and during student-led discussions and tutor-led tutorials.
A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during seminar and workshop sessions.

Feedback

Students receive informal feedback during class discussions, presentations and field visits from teaching staff. Formal feedback is provided on coursework.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr L Page

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above in a degree programme administered by the School of Biological Sciences.

Co-requisites

None

Notes

To pass this course, a pass must be achieved in BOTH the theory exam and the in-course assessment.

Overview

This course is designed to give an understanding of the measurement of single trees and tree crops, forecasting of yield from thinnings and clear fells (including yield regulation), methods of inventory of forests, and the application of remote sensing in inventories. The application of geographical information systems (GIS) in forest planning.

Structure

The course runs over six weeks, and meets for 3 one-hour lectures per week and 5 field visits of 3 hours each; total contact time approximately 36 hours.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (80%) and submission of practical reports (20%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during practicals, field trips and discussions.

Feedback

Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments. Students who are identified as having difficulty in successfully completing the coursework assessment tasks will be invited to meet members of the course team to identify difficulties and discuss solutions.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr L Page

Pre-requisites

Acceptance to an Honours programme administered by the School of Biological Sciences.

Co-requisites

None

Overview

This course provides an introduction to forest planning. It will include forest management plans, yield regulation, forest normality, transformation, forest design, financial appraisal, introduction to forest protection.

Structure

3 two-hour sessions in the classroom per week which will be used for lectures, discussions, presentations, or tutorials.
2 all day field trips and 4 classroom based practicals (four hour sessions).

Total contact hours: 68 hours (36 hours classroom; 16 hours practicals; 16 h field trips).

Assessment

1st Attempt: One 2 hour written examination (60%) coursework (40%), composed of a forestry database exercise (8%), a financial appraisal exercise (10%), a forest visit report 1000 words (10%) and a yield control exercise (12%).

Resit: One 2 hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment will be provided during this interaction and during student-led discussions and tutor-led tutorials.
A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during seminar and workshop sessions.

Feedback

Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments. Groups will also be given generic feedback.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr A D Cameron

Pre-requisites

Acceptance for Honours in Forestry.

Overview

Students attend a three-week field course in an area of forest near to Aberdeen immediately prior to the start of fourth year, and a further six weeks based at the University writing up plan. The exercise sets out a detailed programme of work for a 5-year period that comprises long and short term management objectives, description of the forest, overview of past management practices, the planning structure and management prescriptions to be adopted, prescriptions for environment and protection and a financial forecast for the plan period.

Structure

9 week course - 3 weeks field work and 6 weeks writing up.

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment (100%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr S Woodward

Pre-requisites

Acceptance for Honours in Forestry.

Overview

Preparation of a thesis or a dissertation based on guided research work or reading carried out by the student. The subject of the project should be relevant to the students intending specialisation.

Structure

Submission of a thesis (90%) and oral presentation (10%).

Assessment

1st Attempt: Project will be marked and will count towards honours assessment.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Woodward

Pre-requisites

Acceptance for Honours in Forestry, or with approval of Head of School.

Overview

Importance of abiotic factors, pathogens and pests in forests; ecology and epidemiology; management and control; tree defences against pests and pathogens. Case studies will focus on particular pest and disease problems to give an appreciation of the diversity of abiotic and biotic problems faced by the manager.

Assessment of essays and case studies (50%).

Structure

Thread I: 6 weeks - 4 lectures and 2 tutorials per week.

To pass this course, a pass must be achieved in BOTH the theory exam and the in-course assessment.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (50%) and continuous assessment.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Woodward

Pre-requisites

None

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 forests; urban ecology; recognition of hazardous trees.

Structure

Thread II: 6 weeks - 4 two-hour lectures per week.

To pass this course, a pass must be achieved in BOTH the theory exam and the in-course assessment.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (50%) and in-course assessment of tree reports, valuations and essay (50%).

Credit Points

7.5

Course Coordinator

Dr L M Page

Pre-requisites

Notes

Alternative activities and/or venues may be made available to meet the requirements of disabled students.

Overview

One weeks residential field course in continental Europe (usually based on Freiburg) to study local forests, both their ecology and management for environmental protection and conservation, recreation, rural development (including community woodlands) and timber production. This course is only available to students from the School of Biological Sciences, with a preference to those students for whom it is compulsory for their degree.

Structure

6-8 day field tour.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Written report.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A D Cameron

Pre-requisites

Acceptance for Honours in Forestry.

Overview

The course deals with current issues of relevance in forestry world-wide. A seminar-discussion format will be used in which students prepare material on the chosen topics for presentation and discussion.

Structure

Thread II: 6 week course - 6 hours seminars per week.

To pass this course, a pass must be achieved in BOTH the theory exam and the in-course assessment.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Assessment by two-hour examination (50%) and course work (50%).