Forest Technology (FORT)

FORT 470 - Applied Silviculture

Credits: 0 or 4

Silvicultural practices in the U.S. including reforestation systems. Improvement of forest stands employing the basic tending practices of weeding, thinning, and pruning. Marking of stands prior to logging operations. 2 lec/1 4-hr lab.

Equivalent(s): FORT 270

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

Special Fee: Yes

FORT 527 - Forest Ecology

Credits: 4

Introduces basic and applied ecology of forests, with emphasis on ecosystem processes, including water, energy, and nutrient cycles; biological interactions, including biodiversity and plant-plant, plant-animal, and plant-microbe relationships; and human impacts, including forest management, land-use/land cover-change, and changes in atmospheric chemistry.

Equivalent(s): NR 527

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

Special Fee: Yes

FORT #564 - Arboriculture

Credits: 0 or 3

Tree selection, care, and maintenance in the urban environment. Includes climbing, safety practices, pruning, hazard tree assessment, and removals. 1 lec/1 4-hr lab.

Equivalent(s): FORT 464

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

Special Fee: Yes

FORT 572 - Mensuration

Credits: 0 or 4

Field application of forest inventory and timber cruising techniques. Measurement of tree form, volume, quality, and defect. Growth prediction of individual trees and stands. Use of basic statistical methods as a tool in cruising. 2 lec/1 4-hr lab.

Equivalent(s): FORT 272

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

Special Fee: Yes

FORT 573 - Management Operation & Analysis

Credits: 4

An introduction to the basic concepts of forest land management and the practical approaches to forest management planning and financial decision-making. Topics include a silviculture review; deed research and mapping; management plan preparation; multiple-use sustainable forestry; tree valuation; timber sale appraisal methods; contracting; forest taxation; and long-term cost and return analysis. Students individually prepare a comprehensive forest management plan as a semester project.

Equivalent(s): FORT 273

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

Special Fee: Yes

FORT #574 - Industrial Forest Management Tour

Credits: 1

Concentrated field experience and intensive observations of industrial, private, and federal forest holdings and facilities; emphasizing forest utilization and management operations as currently practiced in New England. One week of concentrated field study.

Grade Mode: Credit/Fail Grading

Special Fee: Yes

FORT 576 - Forest Products and Wood Science

Credits: 0-4

Basics of structure and properties of wood as a raw material. Conversion of logs to lumber at Thompson School sawmill. Lumber and log grading and measuring. Studies in processing efficiency, lumber drying, and physical plant operations. Introduction to paper, veneer, and chip products. Marketing of forest products. 2 lec/1 4-hr lab.

Equivalent(s): FORT 476

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

Special Fee: Yes

FORT 577 - Forest Harvesting Systems

Credits: 0 or 4

A study in harvesting methods and their relation to forest management and silviculture of the state and region. Theory and practice of conventional harvesting systems including hands-on application of techniques with a strong emphasis on protection of the environment and the safety and health of workers. Department permission for non-majors. 2 lec/4-hr lab.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

Special Fee: Yes

FORT 578 - Ecology and Management of Forest Stressors

Credits: 4

An introduction to the biology and ecology of forest insects, pathogens, and invasive plants in the context of forest management. Students learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of insect and disease damage in forest trees and products. Students explore the impacts of novel invasions of pests, pathogens, and pernicious plants and evaluate adaptive management strategies. 2 lec/4 hr lab.

Equivalent(s): FORT 278

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

Special Fee: Yes

FORT 579 - Wildland Fire Ecology and Management

Credits: 4

An exploration of the historical context of wildland fire and how our changing climate and past management practices influence future fire regimes at local and national scales. This course will provide instruction in fire ecology, and prescribed fire theory and methods. Students will learn the basic knowledge of forest fire control and use and will focus on firefighting, the impacts of fire on vegetation, and the use of prescribed fire in forest and wildlife management.

Equivalent(s): FORT 479

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

Special Fee: Yes

FORT 581 - Applied Geospatial Techniques

Credits: 4

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are integral to natural resource management and these technologies/software have become widespread throughout various fields. Proficiency in fundamental GIS skills is imperative for resource managers. Students will 1) develop an understanding of imagery acquisition and remote sensing systems/technologies; 2) develop skills in identification, interpretation, and mapping of land/vegetation features, including an understanding of map projection; 3) gain experience in GIS software to perform fundamental geoprocessing and mapping techniques.

Equivalent(s): FORT 281

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

FORT 592 - Independent Studies in Forest Technology/Urban Tree Care

Credits: 1-4

Students who have the ability and adequate preparation to work independently may propose a contract to design a course or research project on a topic not available through existing course offerings. The purpose of this research is to explore new areas in the student's field of study or to pursue course material in greater depth. Work is supervised by an appropriate faculty/staff member and credit varies depending on the proposed project/research. Examples include forest management, forest products, forest protection, wildlife management, or urban tree care.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits.

Equivalent(s): FORT 292

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

FORT #597 - Work Experience

Credits: 0

Career-related employment (10 weeks, generally in the summer following freshman year) in a forestry, urban tree care, or other department-approved natural resources area.

Equivalent(s): FORT 297

Grade Mode: Credit/Fail Grading