- FY5303 - Temperate Silviculture: Applied Forest Ecology
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- Credit Points
- 15
- Course Coordinator
- Dr Andrew D Cameron
Pre-requisites
N/A
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 silviculture. The relationship between silviculture and forest management is emphasised.
This is a six week course in the first half session (weeks 18-23). There are three 2-hour sessions per week and a half-day field trip. Assessment is based on an extended assignment (80%) and presentations (20%).
Course Aims:
The aim is to provide a sound understanding of the theory and application of silviculture involving establishing, maintaining, thinning and regenerating forests within the constraints of soils, topography and climate. The course will introduce students to concepts ranging from the growth and development of single trees to whole forest ecosystems.
Main Learning Outcomes:
On completion of the course, students should be able to deal with the wide range of silvicultural concepts associated with management of forest stands. Students should have a sound understanding of the theory and practice of silviculture, and to appreciate the link between silviculture and other courses associated with forestry and the natural environment.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).
- FY5305 - Wood: Properties to Products
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- Credit Points
- 15
- Course Coordinator
- Dr Louise Page
Pre-requisites
N/A
Overview
Aims: To provide a sound understanding of the underlying principles of wood, how it is harvested and used.
Structure
4 two-hour classroom sessions per week - these will usually be an informal lecture, but will also include discussions and student presentations. There will also be 2 field visits on Friday afternoons.
Assessment
Continuous coursework (100%), including essay (30%), presentation (20%), and reports on visits (2 x 10%).
- FY5306 - Biology and Ecology of Forest Health
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- Credit Points
- 15
- Course Coordinator
- Dr Stephen Woodward
Pre-requisites
N/A
Overview
Aims: To provide an understanding of the causes and nature of fungal damage to trees and timber and knowledge of the major diseases and methods of control. Importance of diseases of forest trees; agencies causing abiotic damage; non-specific diebacks; pollution damage; basic mycology; diseases in forest nurseries; root diseases; diseases of the stems and foliage; cankers; decay - biology of decay fungi and theories of compartmentalisation; bacterial and viral diseases of trees; parasitic flowering plants.
Structure
3 one-hour lectures per week, 1 three-hour laboratory session every second week.
Assessment
Continuous assessment (100%), presentation on a case study and an essay.
- FY5517 - Trees & the Urban Environment
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- Credit Points
- 15
- Course Coordinator
- Dr Steve Woodward
Pre-requisites
N/A
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
Continuous assessment (100%).
- FY5520 - Forest Measurement and Monitoring
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- 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.
- FY5700 - Forest Ecology and Management Field Course
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- Credit Points
- 7.5
- Course Coordinator
- Dr Louise Page
Pre-requisites
N/A
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 visited 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.
- FY5701 - European Forests Field Course
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- Credit Points
- 7.5
- Course Coordinator
- Dr Louise Page
Pre-requisites
N/A
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.
- FY5802 - Forest Resource Management
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- Credit Points
- 15
- Course Coordinator
- Dr Louise Page
Pre-requisites
N/A
Overview
To develop an understanding of different approaches to managing forest resources. This module will cover material related to the following: the concept of sustainable forest management; forest management plans; the main approaches to yield control; management for non timber forest products; forest economics and financial criteria used in forest management; and, some important forest pests and diseases and how they may be managed.
Structure
The course is taught with lectures, practicals, tutorials and field visits.
Assessment
Continuous assessment (100%), the components vary from year to year but typically include practicals, a presentation, a written critique and a field visit report.
- FY5910 - Special Topics in Forest Science
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- Credit Points
- 15
- Course Coordinator
- Dr Andrew Cameron
Pre-requisites
N/A
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.
Course Aims:
The aims are to address wider topical issues in forestry at both national and international levels and to gain a wider understanding of the interactions of commercial forestry and the natural environment.
Main Learning Outcomes:
The course will enable the student to synthesise the knowledge from the various fields of forestry and to develop skills and confidence to define one’s own learning priorities for professional development. The student should be able to evaluate, interpret and criticise material from different sources and to articulate ideas both in oral and written form.Structure
The class meets for three 2 hour sessions each week over the last six weeks of the second semester; class sessions are used for lectures, discussions and presentations. Total contact time is approximately 36 hours. A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during discussions, presentations and tutorials. Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments.
Assessment
100% continuous assessment through two written assignments (40%) and the development of a Special Topic presented as a scientific review paper (60%).