School of Forest Resources & Conservation

SFRC Undergraduate Courses

 

FNR Courses
FOR Courses
SUR Courses

FNR Courses

FNR3131C Dendrology/Forest Plants

- offered every fall
- 3 credits
- requires a biology or botany course (BSC2010 / BSC2010L suggested)
- Provides students with a basic understanding of the classification, nomenclature, morphology, ecological relationships, associations, and uses of the major forest tree and shrub species of North America.

FNR3410C Natural Resource Sampling  

- offered every fall
- 3 credits
- requires a statistics course (STA2023 suggested)
- Basic concepts of sampling. Design of cost-effective sample surveys. Sampling methodology applicable to natural resources: simple random, stratified, systematic, multi-phase and multi-stage. Cluster sampling, ratio, regression and difference estimation. Line transects. Computer simulation of sampling methods. Introduction to remote sensing, geographic information and global positioning systems.
FNR4070C Environmental Education Program Development  

- offered as requested
- 3 credits
- Recommended WIS4523 or EDG4930
- A comprehensive approach to program development, from needs assessment to evaluation, will be applied to non-formal environmental opportunities. Existing and developing programs will be analyzed, with emphasis on the role of participation and indicators in meeting environmental objectives. Required field trips to be scheduled.
FNR4343C Forest Water Resources  

- offered every spring
- 3 credits
- Requires SOS3022 / SOS3022L (or equivalent)
- Watershed hydrology, balances and models. Water quality parameters, processes and loading. Ecosystem and watershed functions. Watershed resources management.
FNR4345 Models of Forest Water Resources

-offered every spring
-1 credit
-co requisite – FOR4343C
-This course will examine the stand and watershed hydrologic models, models of development, calibration scenario testing and interaction with actual hydrologic models.
FNR4623C Integrated Natural Resource Management  

- offered every spring
- 3 credits
- Requires senior (4) classification
- An integrative approach to the study of forest resource management for the production of multiple products (such as timber, recreation, wildlife, rangeland, etc.) utilizing the case study approach.
FNR4660C Natural Resource Policy and Administration

- offered every fall and spring
- 3 credits
- Requires junior (3) or senior (4) classification
- Factors in evolution of forest, range, wildlife and related natural resources administration and policies in the United States; policy
components; policy formation implementation, administration and change processes; introduction to criteria for evaluating effectiveness of policies and administration.

FOR Courses

FOR2662 Forests for the Future  

- offered fall, spring, and summer B
- 2 credits
- no prerequisites
- The course explores changing environmental values that drive and shape ecotourism in Florida, the United State, and the world. It
introduces the concept of ecotourism and natural resources management and explores sustainable development, how ecotourism fits into traditional land management and specific applications of ecotourism.

FOR3004 Forests, Conservation, and People  

- offered every spring and summer B
- 3 credits
- no prerequisites
- A general background course for non-FRC students interested in management, use and conservation of forest resources. Topics include resource description, historical perspectives, current issues, forest biology and management principles. (B)

FOR3153C Forest Ecology  

- offered every fall
- 3 credits
- Requires a biology or botany course (BSC2010 / BSC2010L suggested)
- Ecological principles and their application to the management of forests; major sections include tree population and forest community
dynamics, and ecosystem processes. (B)

FOR3162C Silviculture

- offered every spring
- 4 credits
- requires a basic ecology course (FOR3153C or PCB3043C suggested)
- Principles governing establishment, treatment and control of forest stands; natural and artificial regeneration systems; intermediate cuttings and cultural operations.

FOR3200C Foundations in Forest Resources and Conservation

-offered summer B
-3 credits
-no prerequisites
-This course is an overview of the history of forestry and conservation in the US and world; will review the basic principles of forest biology, ecology, silviculture and natural resource management; will facilitate student interactions with forestry and natural resource professionals; and will introduce students to basic field, research, communications and computer skills that will be an integral part of the Forest Resources and Conservation major.

FOR3202 Society and Natural Resources

-offered every spring
-3 credits
-no prerequisite
- This course provides a foundation for understanding how society perceives and values natural resources both in North America and around the globe. We will explore the institutions that oversee and manage our environment, using current issues as examples of community and social change, and stressing the important role of communication and education with the public and stakeholders.  Many natural resources issues are confusing, complicated, and exacerbated by a lack of thoughtful, helpful communication with the public.  We will consider the factors that result in these conflicting interests and discuss potential paths for working with complex human and natural resource systems

FOR3214 Fire Ecology and Management

-offered every spring
-2credits
- A detailed study of the ecological aspects of fire and fire management techniques including assessment of prescribed burning plans, comparison of present day and historical fire policies and use, critical factors influencing fire behavior and effects, and wildfire control and operations.

FOR3214L Fire Ecology and Management Lab

-offered every spring
-1 credit
-A laboratory to assess, design, and participate in the application of prescribed fire in forest ecosystem research and management.

FOR3342C Tree Biology

- offered every spring
- 3 credits
- Requires 3FY classification
- A study of tree structure and function with relationships to forest environments and forestry practices.

FOR3430C Forest Mensuration  

- offered every spring
- 3 credits
- Requires FNR3410C (or equivalent)
- Forest resource measurements; log and tree content estimation; forest inventory techniques; stand growth and yield.

 FOR3434C Forest Resources Information Systems

- offered every summer B
-
3 credits
- No prerequisites
- Introduction to the concepts, principles and applications of geographic information systems, remote sensing, and global positioning systems, emphasizing applications in forest resource management.

FOR3855 Agroforestry for the Southeastern United States

- offered every spring
- 3 credits
- Designed for undergraduate students having a natural resource background and interest. Cap of 20 students per semester. Agroforestry history and concepts, characteristics of the southeast of interest to agroforestry, biophysical interactions, economics, policy, marketing, agroforestry trees, silvopasture, alley cropping, windbreaks, riparian buffers, forest farming, on-line resources.

FOR4020 Seminar in Contemporary Issues in Forest Resources and Conservation

-offered every fall
-1 credit
-4FY classification
-This course will help students understand the concepts, organizations and people involved in several contemporary issues in forest resources and conservation; use critical thinking and lead discussions aimed at airing both sides of controversial issues; better make presentations and engage in persuasive dialog related to resolving conflicts; and better prepare professional resumes and interview for jobs.

FOR4060 Global Forests

- offered every spring
- 2 credits
- Requires FOR3162C (or equivalent)
-An analysis of the current status and trends of forest resource use and conservation on a global scale.
FOR4090C Urban Forestry  

- offered every spring
- 2 credits
- Requires FOR3162C (or equivalent)
- Introduction to the nature, scope, and components of the urban forest, including biology, culture, and protection and aspects of management, planning and policy.

FOR4110 Ecology and Restoration of Longleaf Pine Ecosystems

- 3 credits
- Prereq: an ecology course
- History, structure, importance, ecology, restoration and management techniques, ownership patterns and policy implications.

FOR4165 Regional Silviculture

  - offered fall as requested
- 2 credits
- Requires FOR3162C (or equivalent)
- A general survey of the significant biological, physical, and economic qualities of the major regions of the U.S. Emphasis on various silvicultural systems used in managing these forest types with respect to geographic differences in land use, market opportunities, species characteristics and economic conditions.


FOR4621 Forest Economics and Management  

- offered every fall
- 4 credits
- Requires FOR3162C and FOR4541 (or equivalent)
- A detailed study of stand and forest growth and development, planning principles, financial analysis, forest valuation, optimization within various constrained frameworks, analysis of forest management alternatives, and development of comprehensive harvest schedule models.
FOR4624C Forest Health Management  

- offered every spring
- 3 credits
- Requires FOR3162C (or equivalent)
- An integrated, tree- and forest-oriented study of forest health emphasizing the ecological and economic roles of the biotic agents and abiotic factors that incite dysfunction and the biological and ecological basis for the maintenance of forest health through integrated management of these agents and the forest.

FOR4664 Sustainable Ecotourism Development  

 - offered every fall 
- Recommended LEI4833 
- An interdisciplinary and applicable study of the tools and techniques and managers and planners use to provide sustainable ecotourism opportunities in Florida and worldwide. Topics include integrating ecotourism with other resource uses, landscape level ecotourism planning, sustainable community development, minimizing and monitoring ecotourism impacts, and creating a diversity of ecotourism opportunities.

FOR4670L Urban Forestry Applications

-offered every spring
-1 credit
-co requisite – FOR4090C 
-Students will learn to plan design, implement an effective and efficient urban forest inventory system; participate with homeowners or relevant stakeholders in designing a tree ordinance or other policy instrument; and to use existing urban forestry tools technologies and application to design and urban forest management plan.

FOR4754C Forest Operations and Wood Utilization

- offered every fall
- 3 credits
- Requires FOR3162C (or equivalent)
- An introduction to the various operations associated with maintaining, protecting and managing forests and forest products, including interactions with silvicultural systems, costs and environmental factors.

FOR4854 Agroforestry  

- offered every spring
- 3 credits
- Requires junior classification
- Concepts and principles of agroforestry, including its complexity and diversity, improved agroforestry techniques in temperate and tropical zones, recent research problems and methodologies of agroforestry research, and the potentials of agroforestry in land management and development.

FOR4905 Individual Study in Natural Resources  

- offered every fall, spring, and summer
- 1 to 4 credits
- Requires FY classification
- Individual study of a selected topic related to forest resources and conservation as contracted with the instructor at the start of the term.

FOR4909 Honors Project

- offered every fall, spring, and summer
- 1 to 6 credits
- Requires FY classification and admission to CALS Honors Program
- A special project course restricted to students in the college’s Honors Program. Students complete a project on a selected topic, issue or problem in research, teaching or extension. The project will be reviewed by at least two faculty members chosen by the honors coordinator. May be repeated for up to six credits.

FOR4934 Topics in Natural Resources  

- special offerings available at instructor's discretion
- 1 to 4 credits
- Requirements depend on course material
- Topics in forestry, wood science, range, recreation, wildlife and fisheries. Topics include special issues and in-depth study of topics not in other courses.

FOR4941 Internship in Natural Resources  

- offered every fall, spring, and summer
- 1 to 4 credits
- Requires FY classification
- Permission of the undergraduate coordinator required. Supervision by a faculty member and a post-internship report are required. S/U.

FOR4943C Senior Practicum in Natural Resources

- offered every fall, spring, and summer
- 1 credit
- Requires 4FY classification
- Senior level forest management project including information gathering and analyses, plan development and oral presentation.

 

SUR Courses

SUR3103C Geomatics

- offered every fall
- 3 credits
- Requires MAC1147 or Calc 1 placement (or equivalent)
- Introduction to angle, distance, and elevation measurement, as applied to engineering, boundary location, topography, forest management, and construction.  Covers error theory, as well as horizontal and vertical curves.

SUR3323 Visualization of Spatial Information

- offered every fall
- 3 credits
- No prerequisites
- Two dimensional graphical methods of communicating and visualizing features of constructed projects.  Involves boundary and topographic features, site modeling, site development, structures, drainage, and foundations using computer aided drafting and design techniques.

SUR3331 Photogrammetry 

- offered every spring
- 2 credits
- Requires SUR3103C (or equivalent)
- Fundamentals of photography, geometry of vertical aerial photographs, stereoscopic parallax, geometry of tilted photographs, stereoplotter mapping, close-range photographic analysis, and an introduction to digital imagery.

SUR3331L Photogrammetry Lab 

- offered every spring
- 1 credit
- Co-requires SUR3331
- Photographic printing, measurements of vertical aerial photographs, stereoscopic parallax measurement, stereoplotter mapping, project planning, and close-range photogrammetric analysis.

SUR3393 Geographic Information Systems

- offered every Fall
- 2 credits
- No prerequisites
- GIS concepts, surveying and mapping inputs in GIS development, comparison of GIS systems, applications in the natural and physical sciences, engineering, and planning.

SUR3393L Geographic Information Systems Lab

- offered every fall
- 1 credit
- Corequires SUR3393
- Geographic information systems, image processing, remote sensing, and digitizing.

SUR3501 Spatial Measurements Systems

-
offered every spring
- 2 credits
- Requires SUR3103C
- Geodetic instrumentation, azimuth determination by astronomy, geodetic leveling, geodetic coordinate systems and plane projections.

SUR3501L Spatial Measurements Systems Lab

- offered every spring
- 1 credit
- Co-requires SUR3501
- Geodetic instrumentation, electronic data collector, geodetic astronomy, and coordinate conversions.

SUR3520 Measurement Science

- offered every spring
- 3 credits
- Requires MAC2312; STA2023, STA3032, or GEO3162C; SUR3641 (or equivalent)
- Theory of measurement errors, error propagation, variance and covariance, polynomial curve fitting, regression analysis, correlation and least squares adjustments.

SUR3641 Survey Computations

-offered every fall
-3 credits
-SUR3103C
-The principles of mathematics applied to surveying computations. Computer methods in surveying.

SUR4201 Route Geometrics and Design

- offered every fall
- 2 credits
- Requires SUR3103C (or equivalent)
- This course includes the geometric design of transportation systems, computer applications, and a comprehensive design project.  Spiral curves, superelevation theory, and earthwork analysis are covered.

SUR4350C Advanced Photogrammetry 

- offered every fall
- 3 credits
- Requires SUR3331 and SUR3520 (or equivalents)
- Precise photgrammetric measurements, camera calibration, object space coordinate systems, analytical control extension, stereoplotter mapping, digital mapping, and softcopy stereoplotters.

SUR4380 Remote Sensing

- offered every spring
- 3 credits
- Requires senior standing
- Remote sensing systems, ground truthing, image classification systems, mapping applications, applications in plant and animal science, urban planning, engineering, geology, and integration into geographic information systems.

SUR4403 Cadastral Principles

- offered every fall
- 3 credits
- Requires SUR3103C (or equivalent)
- Cadastral systems, land boundaries, corners, and areas; writing land descriptions and identification of land parcels; legal principles of boundary survey, office and business practices; professional standing.
SUR4430 Surveying and Mapping Practice

- offered every spring
- 3 credits
- Requires SUR3520 and SUR4403 (or equivalents)
- A study of land survey practice; the lot survey; the sectional survey; the water boundary survey; office and business practices; professional standing.

SUR4463 Subdivision Design 

- offered every spring
- 3 credits
- Requires SUR3323, co-requires SUR4201
- Design of a medium-sized subdivision, master plan development, physical development considerations, legal requirements, comprehensive project, mock presentation, and platting.

SUR4530 Geodesy and Geodetic Positioning

- offered every fall
- 3 credits
- Requires SUR
3103C (or equivalent)
- Introduction to geomatic and physical geodesy, ellipsoids, geodetic lines, computation of position, gravity, and coordinate systems.

SUR4905 Special Problems in Geomatics

- offered all terms
- 1 to 3 credits
- No prerequisites
- Special problems or projects in the student's major field of study.

SUR4912 Senior Project

- offered all terms
- 1 credit
- Requires senior standing
- Laboratory, equipment, or literature investigations of surveying and mapping problems and concepts of current interest resulting in a written work.

SUR4949 Co-op Work Experience

- offered all terms
- 1 credit
- Requires GEM classification
- Practical field experience of sufficient academic rigor.


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