Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
- Environmental Informatics
- Forest Resource Management
- Forest Operations and Business
- Environmental Resource Management
- Urban Forestry
- Conservation and Recreation Management
- Environmental Education and Natural Resources Science Education
- Watershed Management
- Water: Resources, Policy, and Management
- Undergraduate Course Descriptions (FREC)
University Distinguished Professor: H. E. Burkhart
Alumni Distinguished Professor: J. R. Seiler
Julian N. Cheatham Professor: G. S. Amacher
Honorable Garland Gray Professor: T. R. Fox
Professors: W. M. Aust, R. B. Hull, S. P. Prisley, J. Sullivan, and R. H. Wynne
Associate Professors: M. C. Bolding, A. M. Brunner, C. A. Copenheaver, S. D. Day, J. A. Holliday, J. A. McGee, J. F. Munsell, P. J. Radtke, M. J. Stern, B. D. Strahm, V. A. Thomas, and P. E. Wiseman
Assistant Professors: S. M. Barrett, K. M. Cobourn, J. A. Holliday, D. L. McLaughlin, M. G. Sorice, and R.Q. Thomas
Adjunct Faculty: C. B. Anderson, S. W. Bailey, G. M. Busby, D. C. Chojnacky, J. W. Coulson, A. J. Finkral, J. D. Knoepp, W. A. Lakel, C. A. Maier, J. L. Marion, R. Rubilar, E. B. Schilling, D. J. Soucek, E. B. Sucre, J. A. Westfall, and James Westlake
Courtesy Appointments: J. R. Harris (Horticulture), P. A. Miller (Landscape Architecture), and S. M. Salom (Entomology)
Web: www.frec.vt.edu
Environmental Informatics
Environmental Informatics applies information science to the management of natural resources. It includes aspects of geographic information, mathematical and statistical modeling, remote sensing, database management, knowledge integration, and decision making.
Forest Resource Management
The Forest Resource Management option emphasizes the biology, policy, and management skills needed to ensure the sustainability of the many renewable forest resources on which society depends. Graduates manage the forested landscape to provide society a renewable supply of wood and paper products along with clean water, recreation opportunity, wildlife habitat, and environmental quality.
Forest Operations and Business
Forest Operations and Business graduates are well prepared for careers in private industry emphasizing harvesting and reforestation operations. Forest Operations and Business specializes beyond the Forest Resource Management option by emphasizing the operations side of forestry along with landowner assistance and management skills for people and business.
Environmental Resource Management
The Environmental Resource Management option develops professionals who tackle a variety of environmental issues in the forested landscape. The foundation of this area of study is sustainability with additional emphasis placed on water resources, forest soils, environmental policy, and wildlife management.
Urban Forestry
The Urban Forestry option produces graduates who can deal with the ecological and biological characteristics of the forest in an urban environment, as well as the managerial and political context within which forest management takes place. Special education, training, and experience are necessary to address the many and complex biological, social, economic, and political issues that are part of the urban forest setting.
Conservation and Recreation Management
Conservation and Recreation Management blends natural sciences, resource management, and social sciences disciplines and topics. Graduates provide high quality recreation experiences to ever increasing numbers of recreationists while protecting the natural environment on which these experiences depend. Emphasis is on the human dimensions of natural resource management.
Environmental Education (K-6) and Natural Resources Science Education (6-12)
Environmental Education prepares students to teach in elementary schools, while Natural Resources Science Education prepares students to teach Earth Science, Life Science or Agricultural Education at middle and high schools. Both options are intended as feeders into the Masters in Education at Virginia Tech, which provides necessary licensure. With proper planning, the Masters degree can be completed in one year.
Watershed Management
The Watershed Management option will qualify students for hydrology positions with the USDA and the USGS.
Water: Resources, Policy, and Management
The Water: Resources, Policy, and Management degree addresses the protection and development of water resources by providing the interdisciplinary training required to meet water challenges and opportunities now and in the future.
Undergraduate Course Descriptions (FREC)
1004 (GEOG 1084): DIGITAL PLANET
Exploration of innovative geospatial technologies and their
impact on the world around us, including how humans
interact with the environment and each other. Roles of
location-based services, global positioning systems,
geographic information systems, remote sensing,
virtual globes and web based mapping for environmental
applications. Skills and techniques for spatial thinking
and environmental decision-making.
(3H,3C)
1044: INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATICS
Application of information science to environmental
management. Role of information science, mathematical
and statistical modeling, geospatial technology,
database management, knowledge integration, and
decision science in environmental decision-making.
Skills and techniques required to assist scientists
and managers with the challenges of collecting, collating,
archiving, modeling, analyzing, visualizing, and
communicating information in support of natural
resource management.
(3H,3C)
2004: FOREST ECOSYSTEMS
Living and non-living components of forest ecosystems,
including plants, soils, microbes, and the atmosphere.
Water, energy, and nutrient cycles in forest ecosystems.
Relationships between forest ecosystem structure and
function. Changes in properties and processes of forest
ecosystems over time and in response to human
activities. Capacity and management of forest ecosystems
to provide goods and services, including climate regulation,
clean water, wildlife habitat, forest products, and
recreation opportunities.
(3H,3C)
2114: ECOLOGY OF APPALACHIAN FORESTS
Introduction to the natural history, tree biology, tree
identification, forest ecology, management and forest
types of the Appalachian region. Contemporary issues
related to forest functions will be discussed including
carbon storage, global warming, invasive forest species,
wildlife management, fire, biofuels, agroforestry, urban
forests, ecosystem restoration, clean water, recreation, and
use of renewable resources.
(3H,3C)
2124: FOREST, SOCIETY & CLIMATE
Role of forest ecosystems on the global carbon cycle,
climate, biodiversity and economies. Anthropogenic
impacts on forest ecosystems and their ecological function
in the face of changing climate. Climate-related threats to
global forests, including loss of biodiversity,
deforestation, forest fires, and invasive species.
Sustainable forest management for anticipated future
scenarios.
(3H,3C)
2134 (HORT 2134): PLANTS AND GREENSPACE IN AN URBAN COMMUNITY
Modern concepts of sustainability changing plant use in
urban settings. Fundamentals of urban horticulture and
urban ecosystems. Philosophy of sustainability, urban
forestry, urban wildlife, sustainable and
community-supported agriculture, and innovations merging
plant and ecosystem functions with building and site
engineering. Multi-disciplinary emphasis in individual,
community, regional, and global scales.
(3H,3C)
2214: INTRODUCTION TO LAND AND FIELD MEASUREMENTS
Measurement of land and field attributes including
geographic position, land distance, direction, area,
slope, elevation and boundary attributes. Use and
development of maps used in natural resource applications.
Use of global positioning systems and geographic information
systems in the acquisition and management of land and field
measurements. Assessment of vegetation attributes
with field plots. Use of computer software to manage and
analyze data and present results.
Pre: (MATH 1016 or MATH 1025).
Co: 2324.
(2H,3L,3C)
2254 (HORT 2554): ARBORICULTURE FIELD SKILLS
Field observation, discussion, and practice of skills
employed in the management of urban landscape trees.
Hands-on experience with tree pruning, removal, pest
control, fertilization, cabling/bracing, lightning
protection, and climbing. Emphasis on arborist safety,
professional ethics, and best management practices. Guest
instruction provided in part by professionals working in the
tree care industry.
Pass/Fail only.
(3L,1C)
2314: FOREST BIOLOGY AND DENDROLOGY
Introduction to the botany, physiology, genetics and silvics
of important forest trees of North America.
Pre: BIOL 1006 or BIOL 1106.
Co: 2324.
(2H,2C)
2324: DENDROLOGY LABORATORY
Field identification of trees of North America with
particular emphasis on trees native to the Eastern United
States.
(3L,1C)
2414: FIELD EXPERIENCE IN FOREST RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
Field exercises to develop skills needed to sustainably
manage forest and environmental resources including
navigation and mapping, inventory of timber and non-timber
resources, soil and water conservation, forest and
recreation management, forest operations and timber
harvesting.
(6L,2C)
2514: WILDLAND FIRE: ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
Provide students with basic knowledge on how: fire has an
impact on forest environments; the environment and weather
influence fire behavior; wildland fires are suppressed; and
fire is used as a land and vegetation management tool. The
course will also provide students with the knowledge and
training to qualify as a basic wildland firefighter
(FFT2-Red Card). Extended laboratory sessions will provide
practice in fire behavior prediction, prescribed burning
techniques, and fire control methodology.
Pre: BIOL 1105 or BIOL 1106, CHEM 1035.
(2H,3L,3C)
2554 (LAR 2554): NATURE AND AMERICAN VALUES
Introduces students to the evolving relationship between
nature and American society; emphasizing the ethics and
values which underlie forest, park, and wildlife management.
Students are introduced to contemporary land use issues and
learn to articulate, defend, and critique the ethical
positions surrounding these issues (i.e., wilderness,
sustainability, biodiversity, hunting, old growth, suburban
sprawl, environmental activism).
(3H,3C)
2784 (SBIO 2784): GLOBAL FOREST SUSTAINABILITY
A socio-economic approach to examining the management
and use of the world's forests, enhance knowledge of
global forest resources and products, and understand the
roles and relationships of key stakeholders.
(3H,3C)
2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
3104: PRINCIPLES OF WATERSHED HYDROLOGY
Study of hydrology in watersheds. Qualitative and
quantitative principles of physical hydrological processes
governing the movement, storage, and transformation of
water on the Earth's surface as influenced by watershed
characteristics, including human modifications. Pre: Junior
Standing
Pre: (MATH 1206 or MATH 1226) or (MATH 2015 or MATH 1026).
(3H,3C)
3214: FOREST BIOMETRICS
Statistical, mathematical and computer tools for collecting
and analyzing data used to make inference or decisions in
applications of forest ecosystem science and management.
Principles and practices of forest inventory and
probability-based sampling. Derivation of volume and weight
equations for standing trees. Measures of stand density
and site quality. Forest growth and yield modeling.
Organization, summary and conveyance of information
derived from the data-driven applications into visual,
written, and spoken materials of presentation.
Pre: 2214, (MATH 2015 or MATH 1026).
(3H,3C)
3224: FOREST MEASUREMENTS FIELD LABORATORY
Field practice and computer analysis for collecting and
analyzing survey data for use in forest management. Forest
inventory and probability-based sampling, stratified
sampling, double sampling, regression, and census-based
sampling applications. Computer and geospatial tools for
analyzing field data. Field assessment of tree and log
contents, stand density, and site index. Collection and
analysis of growth and yield data.
Pre: 2214, 2414.
(3L,1C)
3314: FOREST ECOLOGY AND SILVICS
Environmental factors affecting the establishment, growth,
and development of forests; silvical characteristics of
trees; forest community structure and function; forest
ecosystem analysis.
Pre: 2314, 2214.
(2H,4L,3C)
3324: SILVICULTURE PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS
Theory and practices involved in controlling forest
establishment, composition, and growth are developed in a
regional context. Formulation of silvicultural systems
and the study of reproduction methods, site preparation,
intermediate stand manipulations, and reforestation
operations.
Pre: 3314.
(3H,4L,4C)
3344: FOREST FIELD STUDIES
Field observations and discussion of current forestry
operations and practices. Junior standing required.
A-F only.
Pre: 2214.
(3L,1C)
3354 (HORT 3354): URBAN FORESTRY AND ARBORICULTURE
Biology, ecology, and management of trees and forested
green space in urban and urban-rural interface environments.
Life-cycle management of landscape trees, including
selection and planting, cultivation and preservation, and
utilization and recycling. Urban forest planning, site
evaluation, diagnostics, and risk management are
emphasized.
Pre: (2314 or BIOL 2304 or HORT 2304), (FOR 2324 or HORT 3325 or HORT 3326).
(3H,3C)
3364: FOREST ECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY
Survey of the forest, its environment, and its management
including forest community structure and function,
properties and management of forest soils, and basic
silviculture. Partially duplicates 3314.
Pre: 2324.
(2H,4L,3C)
3454: URBAN FORESTRY FIELD LAB
Field experience in the observation, measurement, and
analysis of landscape trees and their urban environments.
Hands-on exercises in common arboriculture practices,
including diagnostics, tree planting, soil and pest
management, tree preservation and protection, pruning,
and climbing.
Co: 3354.
(3L,1C)
3524: ENVIRONMENTAL INTERPRETATION
Interpretation theory and techniques; program planning and
evaluation; role of interpretation in enhancing visitor
experiences and protecting park resources.
Pre: 2554.
(2H,3L,3C)
3544: OUTDOOR RECREATION MANAGEMENT
Outdoor recreation management objectives; land acquisition;
use measurement; impact assessment; facility operation
and maintenance; role of private sector.
Pre: 2554.
(3H,3C)
3564: OUTDOOR RECREATION PLANNING
Techniques of planning for resource-based outdoor
recreation, including: estimation of recreation demand;
wildland recreation classification and resource inventory;
methods of public involvement; social impact analysis;
state comprehensive planning; site design; and values
questions associated with these techniques.
Pre: 2554.
(3H,3C)
3574: ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION SERVICE LEARNING
Introduction to key concepts in environmental education and
teaching skills through lecture, discussion, service
learning, and reflection. Training in internationally
recognized environmental education curricula (e.g. Project
Learning Tree, Project Wet), in class management and
organization skills and in theory relevant to both teaching
and learning. Students develop and conduct after school
environmental education programs at local elementary schools
(2H,3L,3C)
3604: CLIMATE SCIENCE
Physical and biological principles that govern Earth's
climate with applications to natural resource
management. Mechanisms explaining the causes of
past and future climate change. Concepts of system
dynamics as applied to the analysis of the climate
system. Current and future effects of climate on
ecosystem functioning and the associated provision of
natural resources. Junior Standing.
Pre: MATH 1026 or MATH 1206 or MATH 1226 or MATH 2015.
(3H,3C)
3714: FOREST HARVESTING
Principles and application of forest harvesting.
Terminology, phases, function, and the interrelationships
of people, money, machines, and environment.I
Pre: 2214.
(2H,3L,3C)
3724: FOREST BOUNDARIES AND ROADS
Application of basic land surveying and forest measurement
techniques to the location, establishment, and maintenance
of forest boundaries and roads. Consideration of stream
crossings, best management practices, and costs.
Pre: 2214.
(2H,3L,3C)
3734: TIMBER PROCUREMENT
Analysis of the U. S. forest industry raw material supply
process with emphasis on the evolution and dynamics of
timber procurement systems and strategies.
Pre: 3215.
(2H,2C)
3754: WATERSHEDS AND WATER QUALITY MONITORING
Delivery of water quality constituents from watersheds to
water bodies (streams, lakes, and estuaries). Field
monitoring methods to assess watershed drivers and how they
affect water quality and aquatic ecosystem condition.
Linkages among water quality, watershed characteristics,
land use and management, and climate. Design of watershed
monitoring programs to guide watershed management for
protecting water quality and ecological condition of aquatic
systems.
Pre: BIOL 1106, CHEM 1035, (FOR 2004 or FOR 2114 or FOR 3314 or BIOL 2804 or ENSC 360
4).
(3H,3C)
3954: STUDY ABROAD
Variable credit course.
3964: INTERNSHIP THROUGH DIRECTED FIELD STUDY
Variable credit course.
4014 (NR 4014): NATURAL RESOURCES ECONOMICS
Examination of domestic and international natural resource
use, exploitation, and degradation problems, with special
focus on use of economics to understand why potential
overuse of natural resources exists, and what policy options
are available to correct these problems and ensure
sustainable natural resource use over time. Water, forests,
fisheries, land and exhaustible resources. Permission of
instructor may be substituted for the pre-requisite.
Pre: ECON 2005 or AAEC 1005.
(3H,3C)
4114: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
An introduction to computer information systems used in
natural resources management. Course will introduce
students to the theory and applications of database
management systems (DBMS) and geographic information
systems (GIS). Uses, challenges, and limitations of these
technologies in natural resource management applications
will be discussed. Students will receive extensive hand-on
instruction in the use of current software packages for
DBMS and GIS.
Pre: 2214 or GEOG 2314.
(2H,3L,3C)
4214: FOREST PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND SPATIAL DATA PROCESSING
Films, filters and camera photogeometry; scale; measurement
estimation; image processing; flight planning and photo
acquisition; geographic information systems; spatial data
analysis techniques and applications. Senior standing
required.
(2H,3L,3C)
4324 (FIW 4324): GENETICS OF NATURAL AND MANAGED POPULATIONS
Introductory genetics with an emphasis on evolutionary
processes relevant to natural and managed populations of
both plant and animal species. Traditional and modern
genetics, including quantitative and population genetics,
molecular evolution, genomics, and biotechnology.
Pre: BIOL 1105, BIOL 1106, (STAT 3005 or STAT 3615 or FOR 3214).
(3H,3C)
4334 (CSES 4334): PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF AGROFORESTRY
Biological, social, economic, and technical aspects of
agroforestry, training and technology transfer techniques,
and application of forestry and agriculture principles.
Roles of animals and fish, trees, and agricultural crops in
agroforestry systems. Community involvement in planning and
implementation of agroforestry projects.
(3H,3C)
4354: FOREST SOIL AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
Properties and processes of soil and water in forests.
Emphasis on management for the delivery of ecosystem
goods and services. Includes analysis and interpretation
in field and laboratory.
Pre: CSES 3114 or ENSC 3114 or GEOS 3614 or CSES 3134 or ENSC 3134.
(2H,3L,3C)
4364: ADVANCED SILVICULTURE AND FOREST VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
Advanced topics in silviculture with an emphasis on species
silvical differences; forest vegetation management and
control, herbicides used in forestry, their chemistry,
toxicology, application technology; environmental
considerations; tree improvement, individual tree growth,
and stand dynamics as affected by intermediate silvicultural
operations; implications of atmospheric deposition.
Pre: 3324.
(3H,3C)
4374: FORESTED WETLANDS
Classifications, jurisdictional delineation, and management
options of forested wetlands. Relationship of hydrology,
soils, and vegetation to ecosystem processes, societal
values, and management with regard to environmental and
legal considerations and best management practices.
Emphasis is on forested wetlands in the southern U.S., but
national and international wetlands are included.
Pre: CSES 3114 or CSES 3134.
(3H,3C)
4414: ADVANCED WILDLAND FIRE MGMT
Impacts fire has on forest environments; how the environment
influences fire behavior; how computer programs aid fire
decision making; and how fire is used as a land and
vegetation management tool. Influences of weather on fire
behavior. The course will also provide students with the
knowledge and training to qualify as an advanced wildland
firefighter (Squad Boss) (FFT1 - Red Card) and a Virginia
Certified Prescribed Burn Manager.
Pre: 2514.
(2H,3L,3C)
4424: FOREST RESOURCES ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT
Application of economics principles and tools to forest
decision making from the individual tract to large private
and public holdings. Private and public landowner
financial incentives and decisions, forest amenities,
non-timber forest products, risk, multiple use, management
and ownership trends, and sustainability are examined.
Pre: 3324 or 3364, or consent of instructor.
Pre: 3324 or 3364.
(3H,3C)
4434: FOREST RESOURCE POLICY
Historical development of U.S. forest resource policy. Key
issues in each of the major forest uses. Policy
determination at the federal, state, and private levels.
Policy conflict resolution. Senior standing required.
Pre: 4424 or ECON 4014 or FOR 4014.
(3H,3C)
4444: INTEGRATED FOREST MANAGEMENT PRACTICUM
Student teams apply accumulated discipline-oriented
knowledge and techniques to a real forest resource
management problem. A practicum in forest resource
management and planning, applying multiple use concepts to
solve a forest management problem. Senior standing required.
Must be Forestry major.
(1H,8L,3C)
4454: URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT AND POLICY
Focuses on the planning, administration, financing and
management of trees, forests and green space associated
with urban areas and the urban/rural interface. It will
include a study of the social needs and values of urban
situations; urban tree/forest resource inventories; tree and
vegetation ordinances; the development, financing, and
management of tree maintenance programs; and community
involvement, public relations, and urban forestry education
programs. Senior standing.
Pre: 3354.
(2H,3L,3C)
4464 (AAEC 4464): WATER RESOURCES POLICY & ECONOMICS
Economic concepts to understand public and private
decisions about water use. Current water policies and law.
Analytical tools to evaluate policies and address management
challenges. Water markets, climate change, and environmental
flows.
Pre: AAEC 1005.
(3H,3C)
4514: FOREST AND TREE PEST MANAGEMENT
Identification and ecology of biotic and abiotic
influences on forest and landscape tree health.
Developing a theoretical and practical understanding
for diagnosing and managing pests and stresses
of trees in both the forest and landscape setting.
Insects and diseases that attack trees.
Pre: 3324 or HORT 3325 or HORT 3326.
(2H,3L,3C)
4714: HARVESTING SYSTEMS EVALUATION
Principles and techniques for evaluating harvesting machines
and systems design, application, productivity, and financial
performance.
Pre: 3216, 3424, 3714, 3734.
(3H,3C)
4784: WETLAND HYDROLOGY AND BIOGEOCHEMISTRY
Water flows creating wetland hydrologic regime. Hydrologic
controls on wetland processes. Linkages between hydrology
and biogeochemical cycles. Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus,
and other element cycles within and across wetland
boundaries. Field methods to assess hydrologic regime and
biogeochemical cycles. Ecosystems services from hydrologic
and biogeochemical processes. Applications of wetland
hydrology and biogeochemistry in wetland restoration,
dileneation, and creation. Co: 4374 or FIW 4534 or CSES
4854 or ENSC 4854.
(3H,3C)
4964: FIELD STUDY
Variable credit course.
4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.