Forestry
FRST 019 Advanced Timber Cruising
This course provides participants with the skills and knowledge required to work in a timber cruising position that requires the use of cruiser called grade and net factor. The course emphasizes practical field skills and procedures for accurate collection of this advanced cruise data, required by most cruising consultants and for Vegetation Resources Inventory (VRI) Ground Sampling. Topics include basic log grades (BC statutory grades) and the determination of net factor for each log using VRI and other methods.
Prerequisite: None. Participants are advised that to be successful in the course it is recommended that they should have: good knowledge and understanding of basic timber cruising techniques and data collection; at least several years of field experience; familiarity with the BC statutory log grades; a level of physical fitness suited to field activity in the forest in most local weather conditions.
FRST 020 Introduction To Timber Cruising
Learn to accurately measure and assess the volume and quality of trees within a sample plot, emphasizing practical field skills and procedures for accurate collection of the standard cruise data required by the BC Ministry of Forests. Includes basic traversing and mapping, accurate compassing and field measurements, timber cruising theory and design, detailed data collection and recording, basic cruise compilations, and timber volume calculations.
Prerequisite: None. Please note that the course requires that participants are physically fit and capable of field activity in the forest in most local weather conditions.
FRST 051 Resource Inventory Standards Committee Field Operator GPS Training
An introduction to GPS concepts and methods relevant to resource inventory surveys and the collection of field data. Topics include: use of GPS receivers; collection of complete and useful field data; making appropriate GPS data collection decisions in the field; navigation using GPS; note keeping and equipment care.
Prerequisite: None.
FRST 111 (3) Forest Measurements I
Introduction to forest surveying. Topics: field notes; measurements of distance; direction and elevation; calculations and hand plotting related to traverses; computer applications to survey data including area calculations; obtaining, recording and plotting of topographic detail; and care, maintenance, and adjustment of surveying instruments. Credit will only be granted for one of FRST 111T or FRST 111. (3:0:3)
Prerequisite: Admission to program.
FRST 112 (3) Forest Measurements II (Ends Aug 2009)
A continuation of FRST 111, focusing on the measurements of standing and felled timber, use of volume tables, and compilation of stand and stock tables. Topics: sampling methods, theory and application with reference to forest inventory, operational cruising techniques, compilation of data, derivation of net volumes, and statistical analysis. FRST 112 was formerly called FRST 112T; credit will not be granted for both courses. (3:0:4)
Prerequisite: FRST 111.
FRST 112 (3) Forest Measurements II (Effective Sep 2009)
An introduction to the measurement of standing and felled timber. Topics include: forest inventory, appraisal cruising, sampling methods, pathological indicators, log grades, audit procedures, and cruise compilations. FRST 112 was formerly called FRST 112T; credit will not be granted for both courses. (2:0:3)
Prerequisite: FRST 111.
FRST 121 (2) Photogrammetry and Mapping
Practical use and applications of forestry-oriented aerial photography: photo preparation for stereoscopic viewing; utilization of photos to determine scale, area, etc.; preparation and use of photos in woods navigation; utilization of N.T.S. and B.C.G.S. indices for ordering photos and maps. FRST 121 was formerly called FRST 121T; credit will not be granted for both courses. (2:0:2)
Prerequisite: Admission to program.
FRST 122 (1) Photo Interpretation
Species identification and typing on aerial photos. Identification of major landforms and their influence on forestry/roadbuilding operations. Intro to remote sensing. FRST 122 was formerly called FRST 122T; credit will not be granted for both courses. (1:0:2)
Prerequisite: FRST 121 and MATH 171.
FRST 131 (2) Forest Botany and Ecosystems (Ends Aug 2009)
Ministry of Forests' Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification; site assessment and plant collection using significant site indicator species. FRST 131 was formerly called FRST 131T; credit will not be granted for both courses. (3:0:2)
Prerequisite: Admission to program.
FRST 131 (2) Forest Dendrology and Silvics (Effective Sep 2009)
An introduction to dendrology and silvics of native British Columbia trees. Topics include the anatomy of herbaceous and woody stems, roots, leaves, and reproductive structures, biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification, site assessment, and preparing a collection of site indicator plant species. FRST 131 was formerly called FRST 131T; credit will not be granted for both courses. (3:0:2)
Prerequisite: Admission to program.
FRST 132 (2) Forest Dendrology and Silvics (Ends Aug 2009)
Dendrology and silvics of native British Columbia trees; introduction to basic anatomy of herbaceous and woody stems, roots, leaves, and reproductive structures. (1:0:2)
Prerequisite: FRST 131.
FRST 132 (2) Forest Botany and Ecosystems (Effective Sep 2009)
An advanced study of coastal forest ecosystems. Topics include the physiological and silvical characteristics of coastal tree species, the detailed study of biogeoclimatic zones of British Columbia, and the prediction of forest ecosystem responses to natural and human disturbances. FRST 132 was formerly called FRST 131T; credit will not be granted for both courses. (1:0:2)
Prerequisite: FRST 131.
FRST 144 (2) Forest Resources Administration I
Intro to forest resources administration agencies of BC and Canada, focusing on forest management. Emphasis on legislation, tenure, and regulations that govern natural resources management. Credit will only be granted for one of FRST 144T or FRST 144. (2:0:0)
Prerequisite: None.
FRST 151 (2) Forest Soils I
An introduction to the natural sciences of geology, geomorphology, soils and hydrology, with a focus on understanding their relationship in developing the forest environment. Topics include the effects of forest practices on the environment and measures to prevent its degradation. Accepted towards VIU's Bachelor of Science. FRST 151 was formerly called FRST 232; credit will not be granted for both courses. (1.5:0:1.5)
Prerequisite: None.
FRST 152 (2) Forest Soils II
A continuation of Forest Soils I. FRST 152 was formerly called FRST 232; credit will not be granted for both courses. (1.5:0:1.5)
Prerequisite: FRST 151.
FRST 162 (2) Fire Management
Overview of Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index; fire weather; fuels, topography and their influence on fire behaviour; fire management, detection and suppression; use of hand tools, fire pumps, heavy equipment, and aircraft; fire command organization; and fire use for slash and hazard abatement, forest, range, silviculture, and wildlife management projects. Credit will only be granted for one of FRST 162T or FRST 162. (2:0:3)
Prerequisite: Admission to program.
FRST 172 (1) Road Location and Traversing (Ends Aug 2009)
An introduction to basic field procedures in the design, layout, and location of forest roads. Includes surveying and field note requirements and their transfer and manipulation to RoadEng software. (1:0:1)
Prerequisite: None.
FRST 173 (1) Field Skills
An introduction to basic field procedures used in forestry. Topics to be addressed may include road and boundary surveying, deflection lines, baseline establishment, stream surveys, fixed area plot sampling (silviculture surveys, residue and waste, timber cruising) and electronic field instrumentation. (10:0:30)- for 1 week FRST 173 was formerly called FRST 172; credit will not be granted for both courses. (10:0:30 for 1 weeks)
Prerequisite: FRST 111 and FRST 121.
FRST 181 (3) Computer Applications for Forest Technologists
Intro to computer applications for students of Forest Resources Tech. The emphasis is computer applications relating to resources management. Theoretical topics: basics of computer structure, function, and recent development. Practical topics: spreadsheets, databases, Web page design, and "RoadEng." Recommended: hands-on computer experience, including Microsoft Windows skills. (0:0:3)
Prerequisite: Admission to program.
FRST 182 (2) Geographic Information Systems
An introduction to Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as employed by the Ministry of Forests and forest industry. (2:0:2)
Prerequisite: FRST 121 and MATH 171.
FRST 200 (3) Forest Botany II
This course examines factors that affect the survival and health of plants, especially trees. Topics: structure and anatomy, growth patterns, mineral nutrition, photosynthesis, hormones, water relations, ecology, reproduction and genetics of plants. Laboratories will demonstrate some of these topics by observation and by experiments. (3:0:3)
Prerequisite: FRST 131, or Biology 11, or Biology 12
FRST 201 (1) Communications I (Ends Aug 2009)
Opportunity for students entering second year to prepare a technical report based on recent summer employment. If such employment was impossible, the report topic must receive prior approval by the Program Chair. FRST 201 was formerly called FRST 201T; credit will not be granted for both courses. (0:1:0)
Prerequisite: Completion of first year of the program.
FRST 201 (1) Communications I (Effective Sep 2009)
A continuation of technical report writing with an emphasis on topics related to forestry summer employment. The course includes an introduction to public speaking. FRST 201 was formerly called FRST 201, FRST 202; credit will not be granted for both courses. (0:3:0)
Prerequisite: Completion of first year of the program.
FRST 202 (1) Communications II (Ends Aug 2009)
A continuation of technical writing skills acquired in FRST 201. Emphasis is on technical writing and public speaking. (0:2:0)
Prerequisite: FRST 201.
FRST 211 (2) Forest Measurements IV (Ends Aug 2009)
A study of coastal log scaling, grading and residue surveying with application in field projects. Topics include stratification and statistics as they relate to forest measurements; residue and waste survey techniques as per Ministry of Forests' policies and procedures; and forest inventory, growth, and yield. FRST 211 was formerly called FRST 211T; credit will not be granted for both courses. (2:0:4)
Prerequisite: FRST 112.
FRST 211 (3) Forest Measurements III (Effective Sep 2009)
An introduction to determination of volume and value of logs and standing timber in British Columbia. Topics include: procedures for calculating log volumes, coastal log grading, and call grade net factoring of standing timber according to Ministry of Forests and Range standards and procedures. FRST 211 was formerly called FRST 211T; credit will not be granted for both courses. (2:0:4)
Prerequisite: FRST 112.
FRST 212 (2) Forest Measurements V (Ends Aug 2009)
Intro to basic principles and field techniques of silviculture survey systems as per Ministry of Forests' standards. Cruise project with all steps from initial cruise design to cruise analysis. Current industry trends (call grading and net factoring) and advanced cruising techniques (3-P sampling and use of relascope). Credit will only be granted for one of FRST 212T or FRST 212. (2:0:2)
Prerequisite: FRST 211.
FRST 212 (3) Forest Measurements IV (Effective Sep 2009)
An introduction to Ministry of Forests and Range waste survey policy and procedures, silviculture surveys, and advanced sampling techniques. Topics include: cruise design and 3-P sampling for timber volume estimation, free to grow surveys, stocking surveys, and use of hand held data recorders. FRST 212 was formerly called FRST 212T; credit will not be granted for both courses. (3:0:4)
Prerequisite: FRST 211.
FRST 231 (2) Silviculture I
Intro to silvicultural techniques and methods used in BC Forestry: overview of classic silvicultural systems; reproduction, natural and artificial regeneration; nursery operations, seedlings; site preparation, purposes, objectives; seedling physiology, growth and development; site diagnoses and silvicultural prescriptions; vegetation management; silvicultural techniques, surveys record-keeping, contract administration; principles of forest genetics. FRST 231 was formerly called FRST 231T; credit will not be granted for both courses. (2:0:3)
Prerequisite: FRST 113 and FRST 232, or BIOL 202 (may be taken concurrently).
FRST 233 (3) Silvicuture II
A continuation of FRST 231. Credit will only be granted for one of FRST 232T or FRST 233. (3:0:4)
Prerequisite: FRST 231.
FRST 234 (1) Ecological Site Diagnosis
A field-oriented course to provide skills in forest ecosystem recognition and mapping. FRST 234 was formerly called FRST 134; credit will not be granted for both courses. (0:0:0 —40 for 1 weeks)
Prerequisite: FRST 131, FRST 151, and FRST 152.
FRST 241 (1) Forest Resources Administration II
A continuation of FRST 144. Topics: timber supply and sustained yield; history, structure, and functions of the BC Ministry of Forests; BC stumpage appraisal systems; natural resources administration and planning procedures. Credit will only be granted for one of FRST 241T or FRST 241. (2:0:0)
Prerequisite: FRST 144.
FRST 242 (2) Integrated Resource Management and Seminar
An introduction to British Columbia's natural resources and resource-based industries, aimed at broadening the appreciation of other demands on forest land use. Topics include people, soil, water, forestry, agriculture, fisheries, wildlife, recreation, mining and grazing. Extensive use is made of qualified guest speakers from various resource spheres. Students will also participate in seminars that examine current issues. Accepted towards VIU's Bachelor of Science, Major in Biology degree. (2:1:1)
Prerequisite: First-year of program or permission of instructor.
FRST 256 (3) Forest Ecosystems and Hydrology
An introduction to the basic structure and function of forest ecosystems and forest hydrology. Topics include plant identification of the major forest site indicators, noxious weeds and poisonous plants, plant uses. Biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification and site assessment, forest soils, tree species identification and silvical characteristics, principles of forest hydrology including the hydrologic cycle, watershed analysis and function, stream morphology, stream processes, stream flows, water quality, drainage structures, forest roads and soil erosion control. (2:0:4)
Prerequisite: Admission to second year RMOT program or permission of instructor.
FRST 261 (2) Logging
Intro to the role of harvesting in multiple-use forestry and its control and planning, including tree-to-truck harvesting systems for BC coast and interior. Lab exercises include the use of power saws and emphasize logging layout. Credit will only be granted for one of FRST 261T or FRST 261. (1:0:3)
Prerequisite: Completion of first year of program or permission of instructor.
FRST 262 (2) Harvesting
Cost control of operations using budgets, interest rate calculations, machine rates, equipment replacement, and inventory control. Logging contracts and construction project planning will be addressed. (2:0:2)
Prerequisite: FRST 261.
FRST 271 (2) Roads and Transportation
Basic forest engineering skills for truck-road location, including road curves, grade lines, traversing, and plans and profiles. Survey and road standards. Earthworks calculations. Computer-aided road design. Credit will only be granted for one of FRST 271T or FRST 271. (1:0:3)
Prerequisite: Completion of first year of program or permission of instructor.
FRST 272 (2) Roads
A study of development plans in log-production planning and scheduling. Topics include GIS-aided development planning; environmental constraints and proper forestry practices; culvert and bridge design; and assessment and costing roads. FRST 272 was formerly called FRST 272T; credit will not be granted for both courses. (2:0:2)
Prerequisite: FRST 261 and FRST 271.
FRST 281 (1) Information Technology I
An introduction to data collection software and hardware devices used in the forest industry. Primary focus is on capture field sampling data (e.g. silviculture surveys, timber cruising, etc) and its transfer to office data bases. (0:0:2)
Prerequisite: None.
FRST 282 (1) Information Technology II (Ends Aug 2009)
An introduction to various computing software and hardware used in the forest industry. Topics include silviculture survey data collection input and transfer, timber cruising software, Electronic Coastal Appraisal System, Geographic Information System data input and transfer, and Global Position Systems. (1:0:1)
Prerequisite: FRST 281.
FRST 282 (1) Information Technology (Effective Sep 2009)
An introduction to computing software and hardware used in the forest industry. Topics include data collection using conventional survey and global position systems and mapping with forest engineering software and geographic information systems. (1:0:2)
Prerequisite: FRST 271.
FRST 291 (2) Interior Field Trip
Intro to interior forest types, emphasizing differences from coastal forests and the unique methods of harvesting, silviculture, and management that must be employed. An international trip may be substituted subject to availability of funding and destinations where relevant comparisons to BC forestry can be made. Credit will only be granted for one of FRST 291T or FRST 291. (0:0:0 —45 for 1 weeks)
Prerequisite: Completion of first year of program.
FRST 299 (3) Modern Issues in Forest Ecosystem Management
An introduction to the great variety of topics as well as the intricate compexities of forest ecosystem management. Designed as an elective for students, as well as the general public who have an interest in natural resources management in British Columbia. Note: 3 hrs/week, delivered in one evening per week. (3:0:0)
Prerequisite: None.
FRST 351 (3) Forest Pathology
A broad overview of plant pathology as it relates to the forest trees of BC. Focus is on pathogens that cause significant economic or environmental impact. Emphasis is on diagnostics, mechanisms of infection and spread, and practical disease management options. Accepted towards VIU's Bachelor of Science, Major in Biology. (2:0:2)
Prerequisite: First-year of program or BIOL 202.
FRST 352 (3) Forest Insect Pest Management
An introduction to the major forest insect pests in B.C. Topics include insect biology (morphology, physiology and classification, life histories) ecological and economic impacts, diagnostics, sampling techniques, and management options. Accepted towards VIU's Bachelor of Science - Major in Biology and Bachelor of Natural Resource Protection. (2:0:2)
Prerequisite: First-year of program or BIOL 202.
FRST 830T Using Your Handheld GPS
This course introduces Global Positioning System (GPS) basics in natural resource applications, enabling users to get the most from their GPS unit. Topics include: basic theory and terminology of the GPS system; introduction to mapping concepts such as scale, projections, and coordinate systems; GPS field techniques; review of accuracy expectations and limitations; field exercises to practice several GPS techniques; comparison of the features and capabilities of various brands and models; and demonstration of available software and data, that can provide added functionality. (8:0:0 for 1 weeks)
Prerequisite: None
FRST 834T Forest Law for First Nations
This course explores the basic forest legislation and related laws relevant to forestry, forest consulting and logging businesses in BC, with an emphasis on how new and existing First Nations' enterprises can participate. Topics include: forest legislation and laws that regulate the forest based businesses of British Columbia; rules and restrictions related to forest tenure holders; recognizing potential problems as they arise; minimizing legal liability and protecting a business; and roles of the parties involved in the forestry business sector. (16:0:0 for 1 weeks)
Prerequisite: None.
FRST 838T Using OziExplorer GPS Software
This course introduces the fundamentals of OziExplorer (Ozi), a full-featured software program that interfaces with a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, and enhances its capabilities. Topics include: downloading waypoints, routes, and tracks from a GPS; creating and uploading them with the aid of a background map; practicing with Ozi to plan, execute, download and manipulate data in a short exercise; preparing and printing a map from GPS data; reviewing commercially available background maps; scanning and incorporating custom maps; and demonstrating the program's moving map capabilities and Ozi 3D and MapMerge modules. It is recommended that participants be familiar with GPS use, and /or have taken FRST 830T. (8:0:0 for 1 weeks)
Prerequisite: None
FRST 839T GPS Applications Project
This course provides an opportunity for students to integrate and apply the skills and knowledge gained through coursework in Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and OziExplorer. Participants will complete a project demonstrating competence in the use of the GPS and OziExplorer, including classroom, field, and computer lab activities. (8:0:0 for 1 weeks)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of FRST 830T and FRST 838T
FRST 842T Contracts for Forest-Based Businesses
This course provides an introduction to understanding and writing contracts, and the issues relevant to contracts in forestry and logging businesses. Topics include: identifying when and why a contract exists and how to alter this situation; recognizing potential problems; minimizing legal liability and understanding how to protect your business when entering into a contract; maximizing due diligence in contract management; managing the situation when problems arise; avoiding common errors; understanding common contracts terms. (8:0:0 for 1 weeks)
Prerequisite: None
FRST 843T Understanding Forest Tenure
This course explores the basic components of forestry and forest management in the context of the new Forest Licenses being offered by the government of British Columbia to First Nations and other parties. It introduces the key elements of tenure management including cut allocation; the roles of the various parties; types of field operations; relevant payments and documents; and opportunities, liabilities, and obligations of tenures. Information on how tenure holders are dealing with the opportunity and recent court cases affecting tenures will also be discussed. (8:0:0 for 1 weeks)
Prerequisite: None