Calendar 2009/10

Course Descriptions

This chapter provides an archive of courses offered by UBC. For current course sections and schedules, please visit the online Course Schedule.

Faculty of Forestry

FRST: Forestry

FRST 100 (3) Sustainable Forests
An overview of forests and forestry. Survey of the disciplines, areas of study, and values that frame sustainable management of forests in BC and the world. Assignments focus on critical thinking and written communication skills. [3-0-0]
FRST 200 (3) Forest Plant Biology I
The structure, diversity and development of trees and other plants, with emphasis on the angiosperms. [3-2-0]
Prerequisite: BIOL 121.
FRST 201 (3) Forest Ecology
The structure and function of forest ecosystems, including: energetics; productivity, nutrient, carbon and water cycling; soils; the physical environment; population and community ecology; disturbance ecology; ecology succession; biological diversity and ecological resilience. [3-2-0]
Corequisite: All of FRST 200, SOIL 200.
FRST 202 (3) Forest Ecology
The Ecosystem concept; energy biomass and nutrient cycling; the physical environment; population and community ecology; succession, Biogeoclimatic classification and some coastal ecosystems. Available only through Distance Education. [3-2]
Corequisite: One of FRST 111, FRST 200 and one of SOIL 200, SOIL 300.
FRST 203 (3) Silvics of Forest Trees of Western Canada
Ecological and silvical characteristics of forest trees; assessment of ecological site quality and biogeoclimatic classification; application of silvics in silviculture. A plant herbarium of at least 50 species is required. Only available through Distance Education. [3-2]
Prerequisite: FRST 202.
FRST 210 (3) Forest Plant Biology II
The functional biology of trees and other forest plants in their environment, with an emphasis on gymnosperms. [3-2-0]
Prerequisite: FRST 200.
FRST 211 (3) Forest Classification and Silvics
Forest classification and the application of silvics in forest management, including world forest classification systems, the Biogeoclimactic Ecosystem Classification system, and ecosystem diagnosis in the field. [3-2-0]
Prerequisite: FRST 201.
FRST 231 (3) Introduction to Biometrics
Basic theories of probability and statistics. Sampling distribution, methods of estimation and hypothesis testing; goodness of fit and tests for independence; analysis of variance, regression and correlation. [3-2-0]
Corequisite: One of MATH 100, MATH 102, MATH 104, MATH 180, MATH 184.
FRST 232 (3) Computer Applications in Forestry
Techniques involved in solving forestry problems with microcomputers using word processing, spreadsheet, procedural language, and database management tools. [3-2]
FRST 239 (3) Tree and Stand Level Measurements
An introduction to measurement of individual trees and stands; use of aerial photographs, maps, and various measurement instruments. [3-2-0]
Prerequisite: All of FOPR 162, FRST 231, FRST 232.
FRST 248 (3) Co-operative Work Placement
Supervised work experience in an approved organization for a minimum of 15 weeks. Restricted to students in the Co-operative Education Program in the Faculty of Forestry. Orientation workshops required. Final work term report required.
FRST 300 (6) Principles of Forest Sciences and Management
Introduction to the biology underlying tree and stand growth and development, silvics and silviculture and techniques for managing the forest for a diversity of products and benefits. Not available for credit to undergraduate forestry students; no prerequisites. [3-0; 3-0]
FRST 302 (3) Forest Genetics
Population genetics and conservation of genetic resources; principles of genetics and their application to forestry. [2-2]
FRST 303 (3) Principles of Forest Science
Introduction to growth of trees and forests with emphasis on evolutionary, ecological and environmental aspects. Not available for credit to undergraduate students in the Faculty of Forestry. [3-0-0]
FRST 304 (3) The Science Underlying Forestry Issues
Examination of current forestry issues with specific reference to their scientific basis. Not available for credit to undergraduate students in the Faculty of Forestry. [3-0-0]
FRST 305 (3) Silviculture I
Silviculture concepts and principles; stand dynamics; artificial and natural regeneration; cultural techniques for forest stand establishment and stand tending; silvicultural systems; decision making and development of prescriptions; connections to forest planning. [3-4*]
Prerequisite: All of FRST 201, FRST 351.
FRST 306 (3) Silviculture II
Stand tending practices; stand density management, pruning and fertilization; silvicultural systems; silviculture guides and development of prescriptions; elements of decision making, monitoring and control systems; connections to forest level planning. [3-4*-0]
Prerequisite: All of FRST 305, FRST 351.
FRST 307 (3) Biotic Disturbances
Concepts of disturbance ecology with special reference to insects and diseases in the forests of British Columbia; forest health problems in the biogeoclamatic zones of BC; present management strategies and future potentials in a scenario of climate change. [3-3-0]
Prerequisite: All of FRST 210, FRST 211.
FRST 308 (2) Forest Entomology
An introduction to insects that cause damage to forests and forest products; how insects live; life cycles and attack symptoms of representatives of major groups of insects; principles for control and management. Available only through Distance Education.
FRST 309 (2) Forest Pathology
Biology and management of forest tree diseases. Available only through Distance Education.
FRST 310 (3) Soil Biology
The diversity and interactions of soil organisms (bacteria, protozoa, fungi, animals, plants) in natural and managed ecosystems; roles in primary production, nutrient cycling, decomposition and reclamation; responses to environmental change. [2-3-0]
Prerequisite: BIOL 121.
Corequisite: AGRO 342.
FRST 311 (4) Plant Physiology I
Mechanisms and regulation of functional processes contributing to the assimilation, transport and utilization of water, mineral nutrients and carbon by plants. CHEM 230 is recommended. [3-3-0]
Equivalency: BIOL 351, AGRO 324.
FRST 312 (3) Forest Soils
Forest soil properties, processes, and fertility; forest soils in relation to resource management. Same as SOIL 403. [3-2]
Prerequisite: SOIL 200.
Equivalency: SOIL 303.
FRST 318 (3) Forest and Conservation Economics
Practical problem solving of economic issues related to forestry and conservation, touching on investment analysis, capital budgeting, non-timber economics, ecosystem services, and forest certification. Completion of FRST 232 or intermediate knowledge of MS Excel essential. [2-3-0]
Prerequisite: ECON 101.
FRST 319 (3) Principles of Forestry Economics
Introduction to the economics of production, distribution and consumption of goods and services produced by, and dependent on, the forest resource. Available only through Distance Education.
Prerequisite: One of ECON 101, ECON 301.
FRST 320 (3) Abiotic Disturbances: Fire and Climate
Ecological effects of fire and climatic (wind, temperature, and snow) disturbances; fire danger rating, principles of fire management and prescribed fire use; windthrow risk modeling and management. [3-2-0]
Prerequisite: All of FRST 210, FRST 211.
FRST 339 (3) Forest Level Measurement and Productivity
Obtaining and forecasting information for stands and forests. [3-2-0]
Prerequisite: FRST 239.
FRST 346 (3) Co-operative Work Placement
Supervised work experience in an approved organization for a minimum of 15 weeks. Restricted to students in the Co-operative Education Program in the Facutly of Forestry. Final work term report required.
FRST 347 (3) Co-operative Work Placement
Supervised work experience in an approved organization for a minimum of 15 weeks. Restricted to students in the Co-operative Education Program in the Faculty of Forestry. Final work term report required.
FRST 348 (3) Co-operative Work Placement
Supervised work experience in an approved organization for a minimum of 15 weeks. Restricted to students in the Co-operative Education Program in the Faculty of Forestry. Final work term report required.
FRST 351 (2) Interior Field School
Field study at an interior BC location concentrating on land use, management and silviculture. Fees will be assessed to meet expenses.
Prerequisite: FRST 201.
FRST 385 (3) Watershed Hydrology
Measurement and analysis of hydrological processes in response to forest management activities. [3-2-0]
Prerequisite: Third or fourth year standing in the Faculty of Forestry or Geography.
FRST 386 (3) Aquatic Ecosystems and Fish in Forested Watersheds
Effects of forest management activities on fish and aquatic ecosystems. [3-2-0]
Prerequisite: Third year or fourth year standing in the Faculty of Forestry.
FRST 395 (3) Forest Wildlife Ecology and Management
Biology of important bird and mammal species resident in forested regions, with particular emphasis on the influences of silvicultural and logging practices. [3-2-0]
Prerequisite: One of FRST 201, BIOL 303.
FRST 399 (3) Introduction to Research Methods
Lectures and seminars in research philosophies and the scientific method, with special emphasis on field research. [2-1]
FRST 403 (3) The Sustainability of Production in Managed Forest Ecosystems
Study of the functional and dynamic characteristics of forest ecosystems and their response to forest management using ecosystem-level microcomputer simulation models. [3-2-0]
Prerequisite: FRST 201.
FRST 404 (4) Advances in Silviculture
Fundamental silvicultural problems; the application of research findings to the practice of silviculture. [4-0]
Prerequisite: FRST 305.
FRST 405 (3) Forest Ecosystems
Ecosystem classification of BC forest land. The biogeoclimatic classification of BC as a basis for forest land management. [2-2]
FRST 406 (3) Advanced Forest Pathology
Hereditary, physiological, anatomical, environmental, and microbiological factors influencing forest tree diseases. Given in alternate years. [2-2]
FRST 407 (1) Vegetation Management
Theory of plant competition and vegetation dynamics; the biology of weedy and invasive species; assessment of vegetation problems; principles and techniques of forest vegetation control; impacts of vegetation management methods. [1-0]
Prerequisite: One of FRST 305, PLNT 304, FRST 338, BIOL 302, FRST 303.
FRST 408 (3) Problems of Forest Entomology
Decision-making in the protection of forests from insects. Insect problems viewed from other disciplines of forestry. Bases of biological and economic evaluation, and choice of control methods. [2-2]
Prerequisite: One of FRST 308, AGRO 327, BIOL 327.
FRST 413 (3) Ecological Plant Biochemistry
The structure, biosynthesis, distribution and biological function of secondary plant metabolites. [3-0-0]
Prerequisite: All of BIOL 200, BIOL 201, BIOL 209 or BIOL 210 is recommended.
Equivalency: BIOL 462.
FRST 415 (3) Forest Policy
The development, implementation and analysis of forest policy. [3-0-0]
Prerequisite: Third or fourth year standing.
FRST 418 (3) Economics of Silviculture
Economic analysis of individual silvicultural practices and silvicultural regimes; economic impact of large scale reforestation and silvicultural programs; institutional incentives and disincentives for silviculture investments. [3-0-0]
Prerequisite: One of FRST 318, FOPR 261.
Corequisite: FRST 306.
FRST 419 (3) Economics of the Forest Sector
Basic economic constructs used to analyze key features of the forest sector including product prices, input prices, production levels, trade patterns and aggregate levels of product consumption. [3-0-0]
Prerequisite: ECON 101 and one of MATH 100, MATH 102, MATH 104, MATH 180, MATH 184.
FRST 420 (3) Forest Environmental Management
Forestry impacts upon environment; man's relationship to the forest; interactions of industrial forest practice with other resource uses, their economic implications and relevance; approaches to and problems of maintaining environmental quality. [2-2]
FRST 421 (3) Integrated Resources Management I
Introduction to the quantitative tools necessary in forest management. Available only through Distance Education.
FRST 422 (3) Land Information Systems
Philosophy and methods of data collection, analysis and classification of land for multiple uses. Laboratories emphasize Geographic Information Systems. Same as SOIL 417. [2-4]
Equivalency: SOIL 417.
FRST 423 (3) Integrated Resources Management II
The design of forests with respect to the availability of an array of values across time and across the geographic area of the forest. [2-4]
Prerequisite: FRST 421.
FRST 424 (10) Sustainable Forest Management
Integration of biophysical and socio-economic components of forest management. [0-0-20]
Prerequisite: Fourth year standing in the B.S.F. program.
FRST 427 (3) Advances in Forest Fire Science and Management
Fire in ecosystems; forest fire management policies; advanced fire management and use of prescribed fire; the application of research findings to fire management. [2-4]
Prerequisite: FRST 327.
FRST 430 (3) Advanced Biometrics
Analysis of variance, multiple regression and analysis of covariance. Design and analysis of experiments. [3-2]
Prerequisite: FRST 231.
FRST 431 (3) Sampling Methods
Theory and design of sampling techniques with emphasis on application to natural resources. [3-0-1]
Prerequisite: FRST 231.
FRST 432 (3) Molecular Ecology
Use of molecular genetic tools to investigate ecological processes in natural population; DNA variation and its application in landscape genetics, phylogeography, behavioural ecology, conservation genetics, and association genetics. Emphasis placed on statistical and computational data analysis. [3-0-0]
Prerequisite: One of BIOL 334, FRST 302.
FRST 436 (3) Growth and Yield
Techniques of growth and yield projection and discussion of modelling approaches. Exploration of stand dynamics, quantitative implications of management treatments and environmental limitations to tree and stand growth. [2-2-0]
Prerequisite: FRST 339.
FRST 439 (3) International Forestry
The socio-economic, biological and technological aspects of forestry within the international frame, in both the developed and developing world. Regional studies and the role of national and international agencies. [2-2-0]
FRST 443 (3) Remote Sensing in Forestry and Agriculture
Basic biological concepts related to interpretation of remote sensing data for land management, including the use of films and filters, and interpretation of air photographs, and other imagery. [2-2-0]
FRST 444 (3) Agroforestry
Integration of farms and forests, including tropical agroforestry systems, non-timber forest products, forest farming, woodlot management, silvopastoralism, riparian buffers, windbreaks, soil fertility improvement and nutrient cycling. [3-2-0]
Prerequisite: One of FRST 201, AGSC 260, BIOL 302.
Equivalency: AGRO 444.
FRST 445 (1) Seminar
Oral presentation techniques and discussion of current forestry topics; reviews of important papers in forest periodicals. [0-1-0]
FRST 446 (3) Co-operative Work Placement
Supervised work experience in an approved organization for a minimum of 15 weeks. Restricted to students in the Co-operative Education Program in the Faculty of Forestry. Final work term report required.
FRST 447 (3) Co-operative Work Placement
Supervised work experience in an approved organization for a minimum of 15 weeks. Restricted to students in the Co-operative Education Program in the Faculty of Forestry. Final work term report required.
FRST 448 (3) Co-operative Work Placement
Supervised work experience in an approved organization for a minimum of 15 weeks. Restricted to students in the Co-operative Education Program in the Faculty of Forestry. Final work term report required.
FRST 449 (1-6) c Directed Studies in Forestry
In special cases and with the approval of the instructor concerned, a student may carry on directed studies of specific problems in forestry.
FRST 452 (2) Coastal Field School
Site diagnosis and preparation of management options in coastal forests. Extrasessional course; fees will be assessed to meet expenses.
Prerequisite: Third or fourth year-standing in the B.S.F. program.
FRST 470 (3) Forests and Society
Social aspects of forestry and forest communities. [3-0-1]
Prerequisite: Third- or fourth-year standing.
FRST 485 (3) Forest Watershed Management
Effects of land management on quality, quantity and timing of water flow. [3-2-0]
Prerequisite: FRST 385.
FRST 490 (3) Visual Resource Management
Methodologies for analysis, design and management of the visual guidelines; operational policies of resource extraction industries and the implication on multiple land use management. [2-2]
Equivalency: LARC 340, LARC 542.
FRST 491 (3) Visualization and Forest Design
GIS-based spatial planning and 3D landscape visualization for forest management. [3-0-1]
Prerequisite: Third- or fourth-year standing.
FRST 495 (3) Biological Diversity and Forest Management
Principles, problems, and practices of managing forests and nature reserves for biological diversity; integration of forestry and wildlife with particular emphasis on diversity of all life forms. [2-2-0]
Prerequisite: All of FRST 201, FRST 395.
FRST 497 (2) Graduating Essay or Technical Report
A technical description of a study or a detailed literature review of at least 4,000 words, developed under the guidance of a Faculty member. Available only to students in their graduating year.
FRST 498 (6) B.Sc. Thesis in Forestry
An independent study or research project of a subject of special interest to the student under the direction of a staff member. The subject must be appropriate to the student's area of concentration.
FRST 499 (6) B.S.F. Thesis
An independent study or research project on an approved topic, developed under the guidance of a Faculty member. Available only to students in their graduating year.
FRST 503 (3) Plant Molecular Biology Laboratory
Techniques of purification, cloning, sequencing, restriction-hybridization analysis of plant nucleic acids, in-vitro labeling of plant nucleic acids and proteins, and electrophoresis and immunodetection of plant proteins. Offered by the Biotechnology Teaching Laboratory in cooperation with the Department of Forest Sciences. Admission to the course is limited and requires recommendation from the department head.
FRST 504 (3) Landscape Ecology
FRST 505 (1-6) c Directed Studies in Forest Science
FRST 506 (3) Advanced Forest Pathology
Hereditary, physiological, anatomical, environmental, and microbiological factors influencing forest tree diseases.
FRST 507 (1-6) d Topics in Forest Science
FRST 508 (3) Forest Insect Ecology
Interactions between insects and forests; evaluation of current approaches to research in forest entomology; examination of theories and axioms; application of ecological principles in pest management.
FRST 509 (3) Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory
Techniques of vector preparation, electroporation, microprojectile bombardment, and Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation; selection of transformants, plant regeneration and confirmation of gene transfer at the DNA, RNA and enzyme levels. Limited enrolment; consent of instructors. [1-6]
Equivalency: PLNT 514, BOTA 545.
FRST 510 (3) Applied Population Genetics
Equivalency: BIOL 510.
FRST 512 (3) Belowground Forest Ecosystems
Review of current literature on specific topics in forest soil ecology, including bacterial endophytes, microbial diversity, nutrient cycling, and mycorrhizae.
FRST 513 (3) Biotechnology in Tree Improvement
Advanced research topics and their application to forest genetics. Emphasis on molecular genetics and experimental protocols.
Prerequisite: BIOL 335 or permission of the instructor.
FRST 516 (3) Tree Physiology
Growth and development of woody plants; physiological responses to abiotic and biotic environmental factors; consequences of silvicultural practices on physiological processes. [3-2]
Prerequisite: One of FRST 311, BIOL 351, PLNT 324.
FRST 520 (3) Land and Forest Resource Economics
Applications of advanced theory and quantitative analysis to problems in forest resource and land economics; multiple land use; institutions for sustainable land use; optimal management and policy. [3-0]
Equivalency: AGEC 520.
FRST 521 (1-6) c Topics in Forests and Society
FRST 522 (3) Indigenous Peoples and Forest Land Management
A survey of the conceptual and practical issues when indigenous peoples use forested lands and participate in the management of those lands.
FRST 523 (3) Forest and Environmental Policy
FRST 524 (3) Environmental Perception
Perceptual processes mediating behaviour in humans, with special attention given to the emotional processing of visual stimuli.
FRST 525 (3) Visualisation Theory and Applications
FRST 526 (1-6) c Directed Studies in Forests and Society
FRST 528 (3) Social Science Research Methods for Forestry and Conservation
FRST 529 (3) Ecological Economics
Emphasis on forested ecosystems.
Prerequisite: ECON 301.
FRST 530 (3) Multiple Regression Methods
Matrix algebra; algebra and inference of multiple linear and multiple curvilinear regressions for solution of problems in forestry and related fields. Non-linear regression. Methods of least squares for analysis of variance and covariance.
FRST 531 (3) Multivariate Statistical Methods
Multivariate analysis of variance, cluster, principal components, factor, canonical and discriminant analysis. Theory and conceptual background are presented but emphasis is on selection of appropriate analysis and interpretation of results. Examples from forestry and related fields are analysed by computer programs at UBC.
FRST 532 (1-6) c Directed Studies in Forest Management
FRST 533 (1-6) c Problems in Statistical Methods
Directed studies in problems of advanced statistical techniques as a tool in forest research.
FRST 536 (1-6) c Advanced Studies in Forest Mensuration
Development and analysis of forest inventory systems; sequence and patterns of tree growth; analysis of crown development; improvement of stand growth and yield; methods of biomass analysis.
FRST 537 (1-6) d Topics in Forest Management
FRST 538 (3) Advanced Remote Sensing
FRST 539 (1-6) c Problems in Forest Sampling
FRST 540 (3) Application of Operational Research Methods in Forest Management
Use of operational research methods in forest planning models; emphasis on algorithms, problem formulation and interpretation of results.
FRST 541 (3) Simulation Modelling of Forest Operations and Processing Facilities
Principles and methodology for performing simulation experiments; emphasis on building, running, and analyzing simulation-based models applicable to forest operations and wood products processing.
FRST 544 (3) Technical Communication Skills I
Principles and practice of oral presentations.
FRST 545 (2) Technical Communication Skills II
Theory and practice of technical communication necessary for preparation of effective scientific reports, reviews, grant proposals, journal articles and theses.
FRST 546 (6) Research Methods and Philosophies in Science
Lectures and seminars in research philosophies and methods with special emphasis on field and applied research. [3-0]
FRST 547 (3) Forestry in British Columbia
FRST 548 (3/6) c Major Essay
For non-thesis master's degree programs.
FRST 549 (6-18) c Master's Thesis
FRST 550 (6-18) c M.A.Sc. Thesis
FRST 563 (3) Globalization and the Marketing of Wood Products
This course explores globalization, its impact on developing and developed countries, what this means to world trade in forest products and emerging trends in globalization and the environment.
FRST 564 (3) International Trade in Forest Products
Theory and practices of international trade and its application in timber and non-timber forest products, as well as environmental services.
FRST 570 (1-6) c Directed Studies in Wood Science and Forest Products
FRST 572 (1-6) d Topics in Wood Science and Forest Products
FRST 573 (3) Wood-fluids Relationships
Wood sorption theories and thermodynamics, hygroexpansion; Darcian and non-Darcian flow of fluids in wood; coupled heat and moisture transfer; electrical and acoustical properties of wood.
FRST 574 (2-6) c Rheological Behaviours of Wood Base Materials
Time-dependent phenomena of the wood matrix and wood fibre webs; relation of polymer constructions with emphasis on wood molecular architecture; features of viscoelastic memory systems.
Corequisite: All of WOOD 375, MATH 300.
FRST 575 (3) Wood Structure
An investigation of the macroscopic, microscopic and ultrastructural characteristics of wood as a material and its resultant properties.
FRST 576 (3) Advanced Wood Mechanics
Analysis and design of structural wood products, influences of material inhomogeneity and variability; creep and time dependent fracture phenomena; structural performance of wood products such as panel products, lumber, glued laminated timber and I-Beams. Impact of codes on marketing of structural wood products.
FRST 578 (1-6) c Directed Studies in Forest Business and Management
FRST 579 (3) Forest Products Biotechnology
Uses of genomic tools, microbiology and enzymology to enhance the processing and value of forest products. [3-3]
FRST 580 (1-6) d Topics in Forest Business and Management
FRST 582 (4) Chemical and Biological Aspects of Wood
The chemical nature of wood; the chemical aspects of protective treatments and the fundamental interactions between bacteria/fungi and wood. The application of micro-organisms and enzymes to wood processing.
FRST 583 (3) Wood Physics and Mechanics
Wood-water interactions: thermal and electrical properties and heat transfer in wood; stress-strain relationships; fracture mechanisms (static and dynamic); the influence of material variability, changing resource characteristics, temperature, time and moisture content on mechanical properties and structural use of wood. [3-0]
FRST 588 (3) Headwater Systems
Hydrology, geomorphology and ecology of headwater streams and their catchments; significance of headwater streams to downstream reaches; management issues, particularly in the context of forest harvesting.
FRST 589 (4) Research Methods in Forest Hydrology
FRST 590 (3) Statistical Methods in Hydrology
FRST 592 (3) Hydrological Modelling Applications in Forestry
FRST 598 (3) Tracer Methods in Hydrology
Application and modelling of natural and artificial tracers in hydrological systems to study transport behaviour and watershed processes.
FRST 649 (0) Doctoral Dissertation

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