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Programs

Forest Resources Technology

VIU also offers a Bachelor of Science in Forest Resource Management —Transfer program. In addition Natural Resource Extension programs that target natural resource professionals are offered through our Centre for Continuing Studies.

The Program

This program provides the technical training required for starting a career in most fields of forest technology. The program emphasizes the recognition and appreciation of all the major values of the forest including timber, recreation, wildlife, range, fish, water, and visual landscapes. The program is accredited by the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board. Graduates of this program meet the required standard for membership in the Association of B.C. Forest Professionals (ABCFP) as Registered Forest Technologists (RFT).

Twelve courses in the program are currently recognized by the ABCFP and may be credited toward gaining the status of Registered Professional Forester (RPF) in accordance with the Foresters Act of B.C. Credit may be granted towards VIU’s Bachelor of Natural Resource Protection, Bachelor of Science, Major in Biology, and Bachelor of Science in Fisheries & Aquaculture programs, as well as forestry degree programs at UBC, UNBC, and University of Alberta.

In the summer, between the first and second year of the program, all students are expected to obtain a forestry-related job to broaden their knowledge of practical forestry. VIU assists students in obtaining forestry employment, both during the summer months and following graduation.

Students may transfer into the second year of VIU’s Forestry program either from community colleges in B.C., or from a recognized forest technology school in Canada or the United States. The qualifications of each student requesting such transfer are adjudicated individually. VIU Students also have the opportunity of transferring to other institutions.

Second year students may participate in international field schools and receive VIU credit while studying at designated forestry schools abroad.

Students are required to complete two one-day First Aid courses (O.F.A. Level 1 & Transportation Endorsement) by the end of September of the first year.

Students wishing to obtain an undergraduate degree in Forest Resource Management or Forest Operations from the University of British Columbia (UBC) School of Forestry may, after completing the VIU program (“bridging” year), transfer directly into third year at UBC.

More than $20,000 of scholarships, awards and bursaries are specifically dedicated to students of the forestry program each year. These monies are in addition to the general financial aid available to forestry students. For more information on scholarships, bursaries and awards, please check with the Financial Aid office or visit the Financial Aid and Awards page.

A free information session is usually held in March. Check with the Advising Centre for more details, 250-740-6410, or visit viu.ca/infosessions.

Career Opportunities

A broad choice of field positions in forestry, environmental management, and natural resource management are available, and graduates have gained employment through private companies, Ministry of Forests, independent consultants or private contractors as timber cruisers, engineers, silviculture contract administrators and planners, as well as other technical jobs such as G.I.S., aerial photography, and computer applications.

Admission Requirements

  • General admission requirements apply.
  • English 12 with min. “C” grade, or equivalent.
  • Principles of Math 11 or Applications of Math 11 with min. “C+” grade, or equivalent.
  • One science 11 with min. “C+” grade. (Forestry 11 satisfies this requirement.)

Recommendations for Admission

  • Forestry 11 and 12, and Biology 11.
  • Physically fit for work in the woods.
  • Previous forestry-related employment to assess personal suitability for this career field is an asset.

Notes on Admission

  • Applicants lacking the admission requirements are encouraged to meet with an advisor about upgrading options. With written permission, some students may be allowed to register in some first year Forestry courses while upgrading. Please check with an Advisor for details.
  • Applicants will be assessed on an individual basis.
  • Enrolment in this program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.

    • Start Date and Application Deadline

    The program starts in September, and applications are accepted after November 15. Applications received after April 1 will be considered late and will be processed as space permits.

    Program Outline

    YEAR 1

    Credits

    FRST 111 - (Forest Measurements I)

    3

    FRST 112 - (Forest Measurements II)

    3

    FRST 121 - (Photogrammetry and Photo Interpretation)

    2

    FRST 122 - (Photo Interpretation and GIS)

    1

    FRST 131 - (Forest Dendrology and Silvics)

    2

    FRST 132 - (Forest Botany and Ecosystems)

    2

    FRST 144 - (Forest Resources Administration I)

    2

    FRST 151 - (Forest Soils I)

    2

    FRST 152 - (Forest Soils II)

    2

    FRST 162 - (Fire Management)

    2

    FRST 181 - (Computer Applications for Forest Technologists)

    3

    FRST 182 - (Geographic Information Systems)

    2

    ENGL 115 - (University Writing and Research)

    3

    ENGL 225 - (Business & Technical Writing)

    3

    MATH 171 - (Mathematics for Forestry Technology)

    2

    MATH 181 - (Introduction to Statistics)

    3

    Total Credits

    37

    YEAR 1 - Special Session

    Credits

    FRST 173 - (Field Skills)

    1

    Total Credits

    1

    YEAR 2

    Credits

    FRST 201 - (Communications I)

    1

    FRST 211 - (Forest Measurements III)

    3

    FRST 212 - (Forest Measurements IV)

    3

    FRST 231 - (Silviculture I)

    2

    FRST 233 - (Silviculture II)

    3

    FRST 241 - (Forest Resources Administration II)

    1

    FRST 242 - (Integrated Resource Management and Seminar)

    2

    FRST 261 - (Logging)

    2

    FRST 262 - (Harvesting)

    2

    FRST 271 - (Roads and Transportation)

    2

    FRST 272 - (Roads)

    2

    FRST 282 - (Information Technology II)

    1

    FRST 291 - (Interior Field Trip)

    2

    FRST 351 - (Forest Pathology)

    3

    FRST 352 - (Forest Insect Pest Management)

    3

    Total Credits

    32

    YEAR 2 - Special Session

    Credits

    FRST 234 - (Ecological Site Diagnosis)

    1

    Total Credits

    1

    Note: Some courses may transfer to VIU’s Bachelor of Science, Major in Biology degree program, or the Bachelor of Science in Fisheries & Aquaculture degree program. Please check with the departmental Chair.

    Bachelor of Science in Forest Resource Management —Transfer Program

    2-year Transfer Program
    Fee Category: I

    VIU also offers a Forest Resources Technology diploma and Natural Resource Extension programs through our Centre for Continuing Studies.

    The Program

    Vancouver Island University offers the equivalent of the first two years of the University of British Columbia Bachelor of Science in Forestry (B.S.F.) Forest Resource Management major degree program. After completion of 2nd year of study at VIU, students will transfer directly into the 3rd year of the UBC 4–year undergraduate degree program.

    Admission Requirements

    • General admission requirements apply.
    • Minimum “C+” grade in Biology 11 or Biology 12.
    • Minimum “B” grade in Principles of Math 12.
    • Minimum “C+” grade in Physics 11.

    Notes on Admission

    This program is intended for students who plan on transferring into the UBC Forest Resource Management program. As such, UBC requires that students meet their admission prerequisites. Admission to the B.S.F. Forest Resources Management major directly from high school requires the following courses:

    • English 11
    • English 12
    • Principles of Mathematics 11
    • Principles of Mathematics 12
    • Two of Biology 11, Physics 11, and Chemistry 11
    • Chemistry 12 or Physics 12 or Biology 12
    • A Grade 11 language course
    • One other Grade 12 course

    Start Date and Application Deadline

    The program starts in September, and applications are accepted after November 15. Applications received after April 1 will be considered late and will be processed as space permits.

    Program Outline

    YEAR 1

    Credits

    BIOL 121 - (Introductory Zoology)

    4

    BIOL 123 - (Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology)

    4

    CSCI 110 - (Intro to Computers and Computer Applications)

    3

    ECON 211 - (Principles of Microeconomic Theory)

    3

    ENGL 115 - (University Writing and Research)

    3

    FRST 111 - (Forest Measurements I)

    3

    FRST 112 - (Forest Measurements II)

    3

    FRST 131 - (Forest Dendrology and Silvics)

    2

    FRST 132 - (Forest Botany and Ecosystems)

    2

    FRST 144 - (Forest Resources Administration I)

    2

    FRST 151 - (Forest Soils I)

    2

    FRST 152 - (Forest Soils II)

    2

    Total Credits

    33

    YEAR 2

    Credits

    FRST 200 - (Forest Botany II)

    3

    FRST 231 - (Silviculture I)

    2

    FRST 234 - (Ecological Site Diagnosis)

    1

    FRST 241 - (Forest Resources Administration II)

    1

    FRST 271 - (Roads and Transportation)

    2

    GEOG 350 - (Natural Resource Management)

    3

    GEOG 372 - (Climatology)

    3

    MATH 121 - (Calculus I)

    3

    MATH 181 - (Introduction to Statistics)

    3

    PHYS 111 - (Physics for the Life Sciences I)

    4

    Electives

    9

    Total Credits

    34

    Note: Some courses may transfer to VIU’s Bachelor of Science, Major in Biology degree program, or the Bachelor of Science in Fisheries & Aquaculture degree program. Please check with the departmental Chair.

    Updated December 8, 2009