FIRE 111 Saws and Pumps (1 credit)
Basic operation of chainsaws for use on the fireline and wildland fire pumps. Typically Offered: Spring and Summer.
FIRE 142 Introduction to Wildland Fire Management (2 credits)
Introduction to wildland fire management including fire behavior, fire weather, management practices, and fire ecology. Typically Offered: Spring.
FIRE 144 Wildland Fire Management (3 credits)
Introduction to wildland fire management including fire behavior, fuels, fire prevention and suppression, fire policy and fire ecology. Includes discussion of current fire management issues. Typically Offered: Varies.
FIRE 145 Career in Fire and Fuels (2 credits)
Introduction to the spectrum of career paths related to fire and fuels. Students will meet professionals from a variety of agencies and levels. Students will work through the application process for selected agencies and may be able to secure meaningful summer work. Typically Offered: Fall.
FIRE 202 Leadership and Decision-Making in Fire Management (2 credits)
Survey of contemporary issues related to wildland fire, and the development of skills in conflict resolution, collaborative problem solving, and decision making to help adapt to new situations and incorporating new people and information in the natural resource management process. Typically Offered: Spring.
FIRE 210 Introduction to Fire Effects and Management (2 credits)
Introduction to fire effects on soils, aquatic ecosystems, cultural resources, flora, fauna, plant disease, and invertebrates. Introduction to how adaptive management can be used to manage complex systems. Typically Offered: Fall.
FIRE 213 Vegetation Management (3 credits)
Introduction of the various methods for managing vegetation including prescribed fire, wildfire, thinning, mastication, and herbicide. Use case studies to understand when and how to apply these treatments and how these treatments have influenced fire behavior. Typically Offered: Spring and Summer.
FIRE 226 Wildland-Urban Interface Assessment and Communication (3 credits)
Introduction to the management challenges and strategies in the wildland-urban interface. Includes communication with the public. Typically Offered: Fall.
FIRE 253 Introduction to Fuels Inventory and Sampling (2 credits)
Sampling design and protocols used to measure and report fuel loading, fire behavior fuel model, fuel moisture, and species diversity. Typically Offered: Fall.
FIRE 254 Fire Environment (3 credits)
Intermediate fire behavior, fire weather, fire management, and ecology including monitoring of the fire environment. Typically Offered: Spring.
FIRE 256 Science Synthesis in Fire Ecology and Management (1 credit)
Synthesis of the current scientific and professional publications related to fuels and fire management. Typically Offered: Fall.
FIRE 261 Fire Technology (3 credits)
Applied techniques for using technology to map and model fire. Modeling using programs such as BehavePlus, FireFamilyPlus, and IFTDSS. Mapping using ArcGIS, Avenza, and Lidar with an optional unit on UAS. Typically Offered: Spring.
FIRE 284 Fire Policy and Administration (2 credits)
Synthesis of historic and current fire policy and how it is implemented across agencies. Typically Offered: Spring.
FIRE 290 Medical Response and Stress Management in Natural Resources (2 credits)
Emergency medical response in remote areas including patient care and extrication. Stress management from traumatic incidents and long-term exposure. Typically Offered: Fall.
FIRE 298 Wildland Fuels and Fire Internship (1 credit, max 2)
Employment in wildland fuels or fire at an approved facility or organization structured to provide varied occupational experiences. Typically Offered: Summer.
FIRE 321 Cultural Use of Fire (3 credits)
Fire is an integral part of the natural world, largely because of the use of fire by native cultures. This course will explore the methods and purposes of using fire and the mindsets influencing the use of fire. Students will complete reading and reflection assignments and will consider their own relationship with fire and the natural environment. Typically Offered: Spring. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.
FIRE 323 Communication and Facilitative Instruction in Fire Management (2 credits)
Best practices for communication and instruction inside and outside of agencies. Typically Offered: Fall.
FIRE 326 Fire Ecology (3 credits)
The global study of wildfire as a biophysical and ecological process, including controls of wildfires, ecological effects of wildfires, fire history, and fire in the context of global environmental change. Evolutionary plant adaptations to fire and mechanistic impacts of fire on organisms. Current issues in fire science in the Western US and globally, including readings and discussions of recent scientific literature. Typically Offered: Fall.
FIRE 407 GIS Application in Fire Ecology and Management (3 credits)
Introduces applications of GIS in fire ecology, research, and management including incident mapping, fire progression mapping, GIS overlay analysis, remote sensing fire severity assessments, fire atlas analysis and the role of GIS in the Fire Regime Condition Class concept and the National Fire Plan. Typically Offered: Spring.
FIRE 427 Prescribed Burning Lab (3 credits)
Planning, conducting and evaluating prescribed burns designed to accomplish natural resource management objectives. Sampling, models and analysis used in writing required fire use plan. 5 days of field trips; some on Saturdays. (Fall only)
FIRE 433 Fire and Fuel Modeling (2 credits)
Learn to operate and evaluate contemporary spatial and non-spatial fire and fuel modeling systems and tools (e. g. , FireFamilyPlus, Fire Behavior Fuel Models, BehavePlus, LANDFIRE, FlamMap, and IFTDSS). Perform a landscape-scale fire and fuels assessment for an area of your choice and evaluate the modeling results for management applications on fuel treatment effectiveness or potential fire behavior impacts. Typically Offered: Varies.
FIRE 435 Remote Sensing of Fire (3 credits)
The course describes the state of the art algorithms and methods used for mapping and characterizing fire from satellite observations. The course will link the physical aspects of fire on the ground with the quantities that can be observed from remote sensing, and present an overview of the different aspects of environmental fire monitoring. The course will be accompanied by weekly lab sessions focused on the processing of satellite data from sensors used operationally for fire monitoring. This course assumes that you are familiar with the fundamental concepts of mathematics and physics, understand basic remote sensing techniques, and can use maps and GIS data layers. For graduate credit, additional literature review and a class project including evaluation of new, advanced technologies is required. (Spring) Typically Offered: Spring.
FIRE 450 Fire Behavior (2 credits)
Understand the physical and chemical processes controlling combustion and fire behavior. Gain in-depth knowledge of commonly-used, point-scale fire behavior models and tools, including key assumptions and limitations. Critically review and discuss scientific literature, current topics, and case studies. Lab sessions include designing and undertaking small-scale fire behavior experiments, developing simple quantitative models, and a field trip. Typically Offered: Varies.
FIRE 451 Fuels Inventory and Monitoring (3 credits)
Tools, quantitative analysis, and approaches for inventory and management of fuels for wildland fires over large, diverse areas in forests, woodlands, shrubland, and grasslands. Critically review and synthesize relevant scientific literature. Typically Offered: Spring.
FIRE 454 Air Quality, Pollution, and Smoke (3 credits)
Provides details of the controls and drivers of emission processes and impacts on air quality from fires, industry, and natural sources. The course provides an overview of relevant policy and health impacts of various air pollutants on humans. It also includes detail on atmospheric chemistry and physics related to natural and anthropogenic emissions and how these impact atmospheric chemistry and climate. Overview of the combustion and emission process, how these emissions impact air quality, and what models exist to monitor these emissions. Other topics to include: guidelines for smoke management planning, attainment issues, atmospheric transport and deposition processes. Additional work required for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Spring and Summer.
FIRE 526 Fire Ecology (3 credits)
Fire-related ecology of plant and animal species in wildlands; effects of fire occurrence and suppression on physical environment, landscapes, and processes in both natural and managed ecosystems. Typically Offered: Fall and Summer.
FIRE 554 Air Quality, Pollution, and Smoke (3 credits)
Provides details of the controls and drivers of emission processes and impacts on air quality from fires, industry, and natural sources. The course provides an overview of relevant policy and health impacts of various air pollutants on humans. It also includes detail on atmospheric chemistry and physics related to natural and anthropogenic emissions and how these impact atmospheric chemistry and climate. Overview of the combustion and emission process, how these emissions impact air quality, and what models exist to monitor these emissions. Other topics to include: guidelines for smoke management planning, attainment issues, atmospheric transport and deposition processes. Additional work required for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Spring and Summer.
FIRE 557 Advanced Fire Behavior (3 credits)
Credit may be earned in only one of the following: FIRE 450 or FIRE 557. This course is an online course only. Understand the processes that control fire behavior in forest and rangelands, including combustion, emissions and heat release, and related fire effects. Use theory and advanced knowledge with scientific literature and case studies to critically assess the assumptions and limitations of limitations of surface and crown fire models, including the varying influences of fuels, terrain, and environmental conditions.
FIRE 587 Wildland Fire Policy (2 credits)
This course is an online course only. Relationships between fire science and management and the federal laws and regulations that affect fire management in wildland ecosystems; the politics of wildland fire; and the effects of wildland fire on wildland-urban interface (WUI) communities. Recommended preparation is an upper division course in natural resource, environmental policy, or FOR 584. (Fall only)
FOR 102 Introduction to Forest Management (2 credits)
Intro to forestry, current management issues, timber and non-timber resources, educational and professional opportunities. Includes regional field trips ranging in length from one afternoon to one weekend. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.
FOR 103 Introduction to Computer Applications in Natural Resources (1 credit)
Introduction to basic software programs used in natural resources, including Microsoft Office. Typically Offered: Fall.
FOR 152 Careers in Forest Nursery Management and Technology (1 credit)
Course promotes student success in college and preparation for a career in forest nursery management and technology, and explores personal and career interests, needs, and goals. Students are introduced to a variety of careers in the forest nursery industry through class presentations and guest speakers. Typically Offered: Fall.
FOR 153 Forest Nurseries Tour (1 credit)
Course provides opportunity for students to experience commercial forest nursery operations across the Northern Rockies and learn about the challenges and opportunities in working for, owning, and managing a commercial forest nursery. May involve field trips. Typically Offered: Fall.
FOR 200 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FOR 201 Industrial Forest Management and Sawmill Tour (1 credit)
Field tour-based course examining the logging and forest products industries. Course will expose students to timber harvesting and forest product manufacturing processes and careers throughout the Inland Northwest. Introductory scaling, defecting, and merchandizing for harvested timber will also be covered through lecture and field exercises. Typically Offered: Summer.
FOR 203 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FOR 204 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FOR 207 Properties of Artificial Growth Media (1 credit)
Laboratory course that examines the physical and chemical properties of artificial growth media used in forest nurseries, with a focus on understanding the characteristics, functions, and use of common types of growth media for forest and rangeland plants. Recommended preparation: SOIL 205 The Soil Ecosystem. Typically Offered: Spring.
FOR 210 Winter Harvesting (1 credit)
This is an introduction to chainsaw safety and operation, precision timber falling, and winter harvesting methods taught as an intermediate-level forestry field practicum during the final week of winter break. All day classes take place on the University of Idaho Experimental Forest. Safety instruction covers methods taught in state and federal land agencies and other popular faller safety programs.
FOR 211 Logging Safety and Emergency Preparedness (2 credits)
Logging safety and emergency preparedness is an integral component of all forest operations due to the inherent risk associated with the logging, trucking, and forest products industries. Course examines the human and environmental components of risk management, worker safety and emergency response, including personal wellness, safety considerations for mechanized logging operations, natural hazard recognition and mitigation, and workplace communications. Industry specific first-aid and CPR training will also be covered. Typically Offered: Fall.
FOR 220 Forest Biology & Dendrology (3 credits)
Phylogenetic approach to understanding the systematics, morphology, geography, and ecology of the major species of North American woody plants. Includes identification and classification of important tree species of North American and other important woody plants of the Pacific Northwest and northern Rocky Mountains. Recommended preparation BIOL 114. Typically Offered: Fall.
FOR 221 Principles of Ecology (3 credits)
Principles of ecology and their relevance to management of natural resources. Major topics include plant and wildlife population, community, ecosystem, and landscape level processes and how these processes interact with the environment. Exploration of how ecosystems are affected by humans and global change. Introduction to the types of questions asked by ecologists, the principal concepts and theories that guide ecological inquiry, and the methods that are used to answer ecological questions. Both terrestrial and aquatic systems are considered. Typically Offered: Spring.
FOR 230 Forest Operations I (2 credits)
Overview of the primary equipment and harvesting systems used in modern forest operations. Both regionally, nationally, and internationally relevant harvest systems will be examined. Management implications for harvest system selection, infrastructure development, and relationships with subsequent components of the forest products industry will be discussed. There are 2-3 early morning trips. Early 8-Week Course. Typically Offered: Fall. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.
FOR 231 Low Volume Forest Roads (2 credits)
Design and field layout of access roads for forest management, through a combination of field labs and use of modern, GIS-based forest road engineering software. Field study includes design of at least one current industry or agency forest road design project. There are 2-3 early morning trips and one Saturday field lab. Requires additional project for upper-division credit. Typically Offered: Fall.
FOR 235 Society and Natural Resources (3 credits)
An exploration of how people use, value, manage, impact, and are affected by natural resources; course emphasizes social and economic realities and political and legal processes in a context of current and historical natural resource issues. Two lectures and one 1-hr small discussion group meeting per week.
FOR 236 Steep Slope Logging Systems (2 credits)
Overview of the major cable logging and tethered logging systems. Physical mechanics of cable systems, including analysis of forces, tensions, and payload capacity. Field layout and analysis of cable corridors using integrated field planning and GIS-based cable system design software. There are 2-3 early morning trips and one Saturday field lab. Requires additional project for upper-division credit. Typically Offered: Spring.
FOR 251 Nursery Insects and Disease (2 credits)
Course examines the principles and practices of diagnosing and treating common insects and diseases affecting forest and rangeland plants in nurseries and greenhouses, including the application of pesticides. Typically Offered: Fall.
FOR 255 Nursery Irrigation and Fertilization (1 credit)
An introduction to nursery irrigation and fertilization practices commonly found in forest tree seedling and native plant nurseries. This course aims to provide some of the important theory behind the practices used every day in successful crop production. The course will be taught by faculty and staff at the UI Pitkin Forest Nursery and managed as part of the annual Position Description process. The course is developed and is presently offered online.
FOR 257 Sustainable Nursery Design and Management (3 credits)
Course focuses on the principles of sustainable nursery management, marketing and production operations of commercial nurseries with an emphasis on nursery and greenhouse facilities and practices necessary to produce bare root or container nursery stock. Typically Offered: Spring.
FOR 272 Forest Mapping and GIS Applications (2 credits)
Methods and techniques for surveying, mapping, and navigation in forested environments using traditional tools and advanced technologies. Concepts include field surveying, orienteering, industry relevant GIS applications, and real-time mobile mapping processes and technologies. This course includes 2-3 early morning field trips. Typically Offered: Spring.
FOR 274 Forest Measurement and Inventory (3 credits)
Practical techniques for the design and execution of vegetation measurements for the inventory of forests, understory, and fire-fuels. Course offered in fall and summer. Summer offering is an intensive three-week course held at the University of Idaho McCall Field Campus in McCall, Idaho. Field trips occur frequently to provide hands-on training in forest measurement techniques. Typically Offered: Fall and Summer.
FOR 275 Forestry Resource Sampling (2 credits)
Principles and practice of natural resource inventory, forest sampling and data analysis techniques, LIDAR, forest growth, and quantitative decision support. Lab analysis examples and use of Excel and statistical packages are integrated into lectures. Field trips required.
FOR 293 Business of Forestry (2 credits)
Technical assessment of forestry from a business perspective at the stand and landscape levels, including an examination of factors that affect public and private landowner decision making regarding management of timberland. Course integrates concepts from silviculture, forest management, and natural resource policy into decision making framework. Requires additional project for upper-division credit.
FOR 296 Forest Harvesting Practicum (3 credits)
Field-based practicum focused on the planning, implementation, and assessment of manual and mechanized forest operations. Operational considerations for meeting silvicultural prescriptions and maintaining sustainable forest practices will be examined. This course also offers an introduction to the operation and servicing of modern mechanized logging equipment. Classes and field exercises will occur primarily on the University of Idaho Experimental Forest. Typically Offered: Fall.
FOR 298 Forest Technology Internship (1 credit)
Paid or unpaid employment in forest industry at an approved facility or organization structured to provide varied occupational experiences.
FOR 299 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FOR 324 Forest Regeneration (3 credits)
Natural and artificial regeneration of forest ecosystems; reproduction methods; selection of seed source and stock type; nursery cultural practices; tree improvement; site preparation methods to establish regeneration. One lecture and one 2-hr lab per week. Two all day field trips. A semester-long project requires time spent weekly in a nursery to regularly monitor plant development under varied environmental conditions (approximately 45 hours over the 18-week spring semester in addition to lectures, labs and out-of-class studying). Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.
FOR 330 Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology (4 credits)
Ecosystem ecology integrates the interactions between organisms and their environment as a complex system, quantifying the biological and physical factors controlling ecosystem processes. Emphasis is on terrestrial ecosystems, particularly carbon, water, and nutrient cycling. Process-based modeling is used to illustrate effects of complex interactions on carbon budgets. Applications include effects of disturbance (fire, pests, climate change, and land management) on ecosystem productivity, biodiversity, and resilience. Two lectures and one lab per week, including field trips.
FOR 375 Fundamentals of Geomatics (3 credits)
Methods and techniques for obtaining quantitative and qualitative geospatial information from aerial and satellite images, maps, and the Global Positioning System for input into geographic information systems. Analysis of geospatial data for mapping, monitoring and planning associated with all aspects of natural resource management. Two lectures and one 2-hour lab per week. Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
FOR 398 (s) Renewable Natural Resources Internship (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. Supervised field experience with an appropriate public or private agency. Required for cooperative education students. Graded P/F.
FOR 400 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FOR 403 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FOR 404 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FOR 405 (s) Professional Development (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. Professional education and enrichment of forestry personnel. Credit earned in this course will not be accepted toward graduate degree programs but may be used for undergraduate programs.
FOR 410 Fire Effects and Management (3 credits)
Understanding fire effects is a very important part of fire management. This course will discuss the direct and indirect effects of fire on humans, soils, water, plants, and animals. In addition to learning the concepts surrounding fire effects, students will complete a literature review on an area of interest and will experience fire effects firsthand in the field. Recommended preparation – FOR 221 or WLF 220.
FOR 416 Hydrologic Effects of Forest Management (1 credit)
Evaluation and discussion of how management activities affect hydrological processes, flow regimes, and water quality in forested watersheds. Seminar based on primary literature. Recommended preparation: Basic knowledge of hydrology. Additional assignments and exams required for graduate credit Graded Pass/Fail. Typically Offered: Spring (Even Years).
FOR 424 Silviculture Principles and Practices (4 credits)
Theory underlying silvicultural practices to control forest composition and growth, including forest stand dynamics, tree growth and quality, and growth-density relationships. Study of intermediate stand treatments and reproduction methods. Final project required involving field data collection and forest modeling to develop and mark silvicultural prescriptions. 3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of lab per week.
FOR 431 Low Volume Forest Roads (2 credits)
Design and field layout of access roads for forest management, through a combination of field labs and use of modern, GIS-based forest road engineering software. Field study includes design of at least one current industry or agency forest road design project. There are 2-3 early morning trips and one Saturday field lab. Requires additional project for upper-division credit. Typically Offered: Fall.
FOR 436 Steep Slope Logging Systems (2 credits)
Overview of the major cable logging and tethered logging systems. Physical mechanics of cable systems, including analysis of forces, tensions, and payload capacity. Field layout and analysis of cable corridors using integrated field planning and GIS-based cable system design software. There are 2-3 early morning trips and one Saturday field lab. Requires additional project for upper-division credit. Typically Offered: Spring.
FOR 439 Forest Operations II (2 credits)
Overview of the field design, layout, and administration of timber harvesting operations, production and cost estimation, laws, best management practices, and hazard management. A brief introduction to quantitative forest planning methods is also provided. There are 2-3 early morning trips and one Saturday field lab. Late 8-week course. Typically Offered: Fall.
FOR 443 Forest Production Ecology (3 credits)
Considers how plant production, carbon and energy accumulation are influenced by availability of light, water and nutrient resources. Includes study of use efficiency, allocation, and turnover of captured resources at organ, tree and stand level that are applicable to increased management intensity. Examples emphasize forests but include other wildland and agricultural ecosystems. Stand-level process models are used to synthesize understanding of environmental and management factors controlling forest production. Two 1-hour lectures and one 3-hour lab per week. Requires additional research project and presentation for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Varies.
FOR 443L Forest Production Ecology Lab (1 credit)
Practical lab activities associated with forest production ecology and companion laboratory with FOR 443. One 3-hour lab per week. Requires additional effort for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Fall.
FOR 444 Prescribed Fire For Ecologically-Based Management (2-3 credits)
Learn about prescribed burning in support of ecologically-based management through reading, discussion and participating in hands-on service learning, planning, conducting and monitoring prescribed burns, reading and discussing local ecology and management, working collaboratively, and developing skills in fire management. Course requires travel as well as pre-, during-, and post-travel writing, discussion, and presentations. Typically Offered: Spring.
FOR 447 Woody Plant Physiology (3 credits)
Examine woody plant interactions with their environment and tolerance or avoidance of stress. This course covers quantitative analysis of environmental biophysics, gas exchange, water relations and nutrition in woody plants. Students will also learn to use all of the major methods/equipment used in woody plant physiology research. Includes two weekly 1-hour lectures and one weekly 3-hour lab. Students registered for 500-level credit must complete a research project and presentation in addition to the requirements for the 400-level credit.
FOR 448 Plant Population Ecology (4 credits)
Ecological aspects of plant form and reproduction; demography and population modeling; species interactions, including competition, mutualism, and herbivory. Typically Offered: Fall.
FOR 460 Mountain Ecology (3 credits)
This interdisciplinary course uses frameworks grounded in ecosystem ecology and insular biogeography theory to examine the influence of mountains on population and community ecology, including interconnected social, biological, and physical components. There will be an emphasis on morphological, physiological, and behavioral adaptations of terrestrial and aquatic organisms. Other topics may include orogeny, geomorphology, human dimensions, biogeography, diversification, adaptive pressures, speciation, climatology, and climate change. Topics presented will apply to mountain systems universally; however, much of the emphasis is placed on issues within the Western United States. Additional projects and assignments required for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Fall and Summer.
FOR 461 Ecophysiology Lab (3 credits)
A lab-based course studying functional responses and adaptations of individual species to their environment, emphasizing the physiological mechanisms that influence the interactions between organisms and the major environmental factors (e. g. , solar radiation, energy balance, temperature, water and nutrients, climate), and how this affects the interactions among species and their growth and survival (e. g. , competition, herbivory, and allelopathy). Typically Offered: Spring.
FOR 462 Watershed Science and Management (3 credits)
Influence of land management practices on hydrologic processes, water quality, and riparian habitat w/emphasis on wildland watersheds. One day field trip.
FOR 468 Forest and Plant Pathology (2 credits)
A survey of plant diseases. Emphasis on forest trees and other woody plants. Organisms that cause diseases. Strategies to minimize negative effects. Symbiotic roles of microbes in plants. Two hours of lecture, and two hours of lab per week, in addition to multiple field trips (as weather allows) to observe diseases and their effects. (Spring only)
FOR 472 Remote Sensing of the Environment (4 credits)
Current airborne and satellite systems, data acquisition on ground and from remote locations, instrumentation, imagery interpretation and digital analysis, applications for natural resource science and management. Two 75-minute lectures and one two-hour lab per week. Recommended Preparation: MATH 143. Typically Offered: Fall. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.
FOR 473 ECB Senior Presentation (1 credit)
, NRS 473, REM 473, WLF 473. Reporting and presenting the senior project (thesis or internship); taken after or concurrently with REM 497. Serves as the senior capstone course for Ecology and Conservation Biology (ECB).
FOR 484 Forest Policy and Administration (2 credits)
Evaluation of land and forest problems and policies in the U. S. ; analysis of current conditions and policies; historical development of governmental and private agencies concerned with the administration of forest conservation program. Recommended Preparation: FOR 235.
FOR 490 The Resilient Landscape (3 credits)
A capstone course addressing the concept of trade-offs in coupled social ecological technological systems, where landscapes and the communities they support are adaptive and evolving but the ideal is rarely attainable. This is a reading, critical thinking and discussion course with assessment based on class participation in a term project, problem solving, verbal and written communication, collegiality, and collaboration. Typically Offered: Spring.
FOR 493 Business of Forestry (2 credits)
Technical assessment of forestry from a business perspective at the stand and landscape levels, including an examination of factors that affect public and private landowner decision making regarding management of timberland. Course integrates concepts from silviculture, forest management, and natural resource policy into decision making framework. Requires additional project for upper-division credit.
FOR 497 (s) Senior Thesis (1-4 credits, max 4)
Independently plan and conduct a thesis project; write and defend the thesis under supervision of an advisor.
FOR 498 (s) Renewable Natural Resources Internship (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. Supervised field experience with an appropriate public or private agency. Required for cooperative education students.
FOR 499 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. For the individual student; conferences, library, field, or lab work.
FOR 500 Master's Research and Thesis (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FOR 501 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits, max arranged)
Presentations and discussion of current research in the academic disciplines embraced by the Department of Forest, Rangeland and Fire Sciences. Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
FOR 502 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FOR 503 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged Selected topics in the conservation and management of natural resources.
FOR 504 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FOR 505 (s) Professional Development (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FOR 514 Forest Biometrics (3 credits)
This course provides a broad overview of forest biometrics, including forestry-specific sampling approaches, development of allometric relations, and use of remote sensing datasets.
FOR 515 Physical Hydrology (3 credits)
A quantitative treatment of the physical processes that control water fluxes in the environment. Specific emphasis on evaporation, transpiration, snow processes and soil water flow. (Fall, alt/years)
FOR 516 Hydrologic Effects of Forest Management (1 credit)
Evaluation and discussion of how management activities affect hydrological processes, flow regimes, and water quality in forested watersheds. Seminar based on primary literature. Recommended preparation: Basic knowledge of hydrology. Additional assignments and exams required for graduate credit Graded Pass/Fail. Typically Offered: Spring (Even Years).
FOR 522 Belowground Processes (3 credits)
Belowground Processes considers current advancements in understanding of root growth and development, water and nutrient acquisition, rhizosphere functions, soil microbial community composition and functions, organic matter decomposition, and symbiotic associations between plants and microbes. Examples focus mainly on forest and wildland terrestrial ecosystems. Students learn various techniques for studying belowground processes and apply them in self-directed, hypothesis-driven projects. Offered every other year during fall semester.
FOR 535 Remote Sensing of Fire (3 credits)
The course describes the state of the art algorithms and methods used for mapping and characterizing fire from satellite observations. The course will link the physical aspects of fire on the ground with the quantities that can be observed from remote sensing, and present an overview of the different aspects of environmental fire monitoring. The course will be accompanied by weekly lab sessions focused on the processing of satellite data from sensors used operationally for fire monitoring. This course assumes that you are familiar with the fundamental concepts of mathematics and physics, understand basic remote sensing techniques, and can use maps and GIS data layers. For graduate credit, additional literature review and a class project including evaluation of new, advanced technologies is required. (Spring) Typically Offered: Spring.
FOR 543 Forest Production Ecology (3 credits)
Considers how plant production, carbon and energy accumulation are influenced by availability of light, water and nutrient resources. Includes study of use efficiency, allocation, and turnover of captured resources at organ, tree and stand level that are applicable to increased management intensity. Examples emphasize forests but include other wildland and agricultural ecosystems. Stand-level process models are used to synthesize understanding of environmental and management factors controlling forest production. Two 1-hour lectures and one 3-hour lab per week. Requires additional research project and presentation for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Varies.
FOR 543L Forest Production Ecology Lab (1 credit)
Practical lab activities associated with forest production ecology and companion laboratory with FOR 443. One 3-hour lab per week. Requires additional effort for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Fall.
FOR 546 Science Synthesis and Communication (3 credits)
This course is an online course only. Critically review science literature and write both brief and in-depth syntheses to address applied questions in science and management. Learn best practices for summarizing and communicating science effectively. Discuss challenges for application of science in management. Examples will focus on wildland fire science and management.
FOR 547 Woody Plant Physiology (3 credits)
Examine woody plant interactions with their environment and tolerance or avoidance of stress. This course covers quantitative analysis of environmental biophysics, gas exchange, water relations and nutrition in woody plants. Students will also learn to use all of the major methods/equipment used in woody plant physiology research. Includes two weekly 1-hour lectures and one weekly 3-hour lab. Students registered for 500-level credit must complete a research project and presentation in addition to the requirements for the 400-level credit.
FOR 560 Mountain Ecology (3 credits)
This interdisciplinary course uses frameworks grounded in ecosystem ecology and insular biogeography theory to examine the influence of mountains on population and community ecology, including interconnected social, biological, and physical components. There will be an emphasis on morphological, physiological, and behavioral adaptations of terrestrial and aquatic organisms. Other topics may include orogeny, geomorphology, human dimensions, biogeography, diversification, adaptive pressures, speciation, climatology, and climate change. Topics presented will apply to mountain systems universally; however, much of the emphasis is placed on issues within the Western United States. Additional projects and assignments required for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Fall and Summer.
FOR 584 Natural Resource Policy Development (3 credits)
This course is an online course only. The development of natural resource policy with emphasis on the policy process at the federal level in the U. S. ; the role of and interrelationships between staff, committees, agencies and elected officials; the relationship of science and scientists with policy and politicians in the development of natural resource policy, including preparation of testimony related to natural resource science and policy issues; implementation of policy within the natural resource agencies and judicial interpretation of major natural resource policies in the U. S. Recommended Preparation: An upper-division course in natural resource and/or environmental policy (Spring only)
FOR 597 (s) Practicum (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FOR 598 (s) Internship (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FOR 599 (s) Non-thesis Master's Research (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. Research not directly related to a thesis or dissertation.
FOR 600 Doctoral Research and Dissertation (1-45 credits)
Credit arranged
FOR 601 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FOR 698 Internship (1-16 credits)
FSP 100 Introduction to Forest and Sustainable Products (2 credits)
Examination of the forest and sustainable materials industries and bioenergy products. Discovery laboratory in the use of forest and sustainable materials, including waste streams, to create marketable products. One lecture and one three-hour lab per week.
FSP 201 Forest and Sustainable Products for a Green Planet (3 credits)
This course is designed to help students understand how forest and sustainable products contribute to sustainability from an environmental, social, and economic point of view. Specifically, the course introduces various bioproducts derived from forest, plant, agriculture, and marine sources that could meet increasing human beings’ daily needs, which range from clothing, food, shelter, and transportation to bioenergy, bioplastics and bioproducts that help combat environmental pollutions (i. e. , plastic pollution) while extending the carbon storage in the built environment. The course also covers how biobased sustainable alternatives affect human physical and mental health, as well as the social, environmental, and economic effects and benefits of these biobased alternative solutions. Course also addresses impacts of sustainable use natural resources on society and introduces green jobs by exploring Forest and Sustainable Products careers. Typically Offered: Fall.
FSP 203 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FSP 204 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FSP 299 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FSP 321 Properties of Forest and Sustainable Products (3 credits)
Physiology, structure, and physical and mechanical properties of wood and other natural cellulosic fibers.
FSP 400 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FSP 401 Undergraduate Research (1-3 credits, max 3)
Directed undergraduate research at the upper division level.
FSP 403 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FSP 404 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FSP 405 (s) Professional Development (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. Credit earned in this course will not be accepted toward graduate degree programs.
FSP 425 Forest Products Marketing (3 credits, max 3)
Introduction to business-to-business and industrial marketing management from a forest products perspective in domestic and international markets, including marketing research and contemporary issues within the industry. Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
FSP 436 Biocomposites (3 credits)
Raw material, processes, properties, and their applications for a number of natural fiber and wood composites made of veneers, particles, and fibers. Additional projects and assignments required for graduate credit. Two half-day field trips. Two lectures and one 3-hour lab per week. (Fall only)
FSP 438 Lignocellulosic Biomass Chemistry (1 credit)
The chemistry of lignocellulosic fiber (natural fiber and wood) formation and structure. Two lectures a week for the first half of the semester. Typically Offered: Varies.
FSP 444 Primary Forest Products Manufacturing (3 credits)
Raw materials, procurement, production methods, drying product specifications, and grading for primary products made from wood and cellulosic fiber including lumber, plywood, poles, and energy products; plant layout, machines, and systems analysis; plant tours. Two lectures and one 5-hour lab per week.
FSP 450 Biomaterials Deterioration and Protection (3 credits)
Biotic and abiotic agents that deteriorate biomaterials; biocidal and nonbiocidal methods used to protect biomaterials from deterioration; biodegradable materials and their applications. Additional projects and assignments required for graduate credit. Two one-hour lectures and one three-hour lab per week. Recommended preparation: FSP 321.
FSP 473 ECB Senior Presentation (1 credit)
, NRS 473, REM 473, WLF 473. Reporting and presenting the senior project (thesis or internship); taken after or concurrently with REM 497. Serves as the senior capstone course for Ecology and Conservation Biology (ECB).
FSP 491 Biomaterial Product and Process Development Lab (2 credits)
Lab to accompany FSP 495. One 3-hour lab per week. (Spring only)
FSP 495 Product Development and Brand Management (3 credits)
This course examines product development strategy and the management of brands. Topics will include strategic intent of product development, the process of product development (ideation through post product launch evaluation), market and financial feasibility of product development, trends in product development, and managing brands (strategic brand management and managing brand equity). Typically Offered: Fall, Spring and Summer.
FSP 498 Forest and Sustainable Products Internship (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. Supervised field experience with an appropriate organization. Graded P/F.
FSP 499 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. For the individual student; conferences, library, field, or lab work.
FSP 500 Master's Research and Thesis (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FSP 501 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. Major philosophy, management, and research problems of forest products industries; presentation of individual studies on assigned topics.
FSP 502 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FSP 503 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. Selected topics in the conservation and management of natural resources.
FSP 504 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FSP 505 (s) Professional Development (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. Credit earned in this course will not be accepted toward graduate degree programs.
FSP 536 Biocomposites (3 credits)
Raw material, processes, properties, and their applications for a number of natural fiber and wood composites made of veneers, particles, and fibers. Additional projects and assignments required for graduate credit. Two half-day field trips. Two lectures and one 3-hour lab per week. (Fall only)
FSP 538 Lignocellulosic Biomass Chemistry (3 credits)
The chemistry of lignocellulosic fiber (natural fiber and wood) formation and structure. Two lectures a week for the first half of the semester. Typically Offered: Varies. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.
FSP 550 Biomaterials Deterioration and Protection (3 credits)
Biotic and abiotic agents that deteriorate biomaterials; biocidal and nonbiocidal methods used to protect biomaterials from deterioration; biodegradable materials and their applications. Additional projects and assignments required for graduate credit. Two one-hour lectures and one three-hour lab per week. Recommended preparation: FSP 321.
FSP 598 (s) Internship (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
FSP 599 (s) Research (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. Research not directly related to a thesis or dissertation.
FSP 600 Doctoral Research and Dissertation (1-45 credits)
Credit arranged
REM 151 Rangeland Principles (3 credits)
Rangelands are vast landscapes that cover most of western North America and the earth. Students will examine the ecological principles that cause these grasslands, shrublands, woodlands and deserts to change or stay the same. How humans use and manage these ecosystems will also be explored. The modern challenges of rangeland management must be met with broad thinking and new, sustainable practices to maintain and restore rangelands and the human communities that rely on them. Course requires in-class projects and field experience(s).
REM 200 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
REM 203 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
REM 204 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
REM 252 Wildland Plant Identification (2 credits)
Develop skills to identify and classify major rangeland plants. Focus is on identification of grasses, forbs, and shrubs. Discussions will also encompass the ecological roles of wildland plants and the ecosystem classification. This course includes a 1-day field trip. Required for REM majors. (Spring only)
REM 253 Wildland Plant Identification Field Studies (1 credit)
Develop skills to identify rangeland plants in the field. Focus is on identification of grasses, forbs, and shrubs in natural settings. Exploration will include ecosystem roles of wildland plants and developing site descriptions. This course includes a 4-day field trip at the beginning of the fall semester. Recommended to take REM 252 (Wildland Plant Identification) before or after this field class.
REM 280 Introduction to Wildland Restoration (2 credits)
History and overview of the ecological, social, and economic aspects of wildland restoration using case studies. Students will explore approaches and philosophies towards restoring and rehabilitating wildlands that have been damaged through natural forces and human activities such as wildfire, overgrazing, cultivation, and weed invasion.
REM 299 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
REM 341 Systematic Botany (3 credits)
Phylogenetic approach to understanding plant systematics and evolution with a primary focus on the flora of the Pacific Northwest. Includes identification of important plant families and the use of dichotomous keys for species identification. (Spring only)
REM 398 Renewable Natural Resources Internship (1-16 credits, max arranged)
Credit arranged. Supervised field experience with an appropriate public or private agency. Required for cooperative education students. Graded Pass/Fail.
REM 400 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
REM 403 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
REM 404 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
REM 405 (s) Professional Development (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
REM 410 Principles of Vegetation Monitoring and Measurement (3 credits)
Introduces theory and application of quantitative and qualitative methods for measuring and monitoring vegetation in grasslands, shrublands, woodlands, and forests. Students will gain a solid understanding of how to measure and evaluate vegetation attributes and design and implement monitoring programs relative to wildlife habitat, livestock forage, fire fuel characteristics, watershed function, and many other wildland values. Recommended Preparation: A basic understanding of how to use computer spreadsheets such as Excel. Students are encouraged to also enroll in REM 460 for field experience in collecting vegetation data that will be used in this course. Graduate students should enroll in REM 520 - Advanced Vegetation Measurements and Monitoring. Typically Offered: Fall.
REM 411 Wildland Habitat Ecology and Assessment (2 credits)
This course integrates theoretical concepts with field sampling related to scientific research, wildlife habitat, and land management practices. Students collect, analyze, and report on ecological data in various formats, and learn specific protocols used by professionals to assess wildlife habitat. Class field trips are required for on-campus students, and alternative field assignments will be required for remote, online students. Additional assignments required for graduate credit. Recommended preparation: REM 252 and REM 253, REM 341, or other plant identification class; introductory statistics course; ability to use excel. Co-enrollment in REM 410 is recommended. Typically Offered: Varies.
REM 429 Landscape Ecology (3 credits)
Ecological relationships and conservation issues for biotic communities across the landscape, including spatial and temporal dynamics and patterns, and importance of landscapes in maintenance of ecosystem diversity and function. One or more field trips; one 2-3 hour lab period per week. Recommended Preparation: Familiarity with spreadsheet programs and problem solving using computers. (Spring only)
REM 440 Restoration Ecology (3 credits)
The ecological restoration of disturbed ecosystems. Fundamental principles from ecology, ecophysiology, and community ecology are used in a systems ecology approach to examine how the structure and function of damaged ecosystems can be restored -- with the goal of establishing a stable and self-sustaining ecosystem.
REM 451 Rangeland Issues and Management Principles (2 credits)
Advanced discussion of ecological principles and challenges associated with managing rangelands, including sustainable practices to maintain and restore rangelands and the human communities that rely on them. Typically Offered: Fall.
REM 456 Integrated Rangeland Management (3 credits)
Management strategies for integrating grazing with other natural resource values such as wildlife, water, timber, recreation, and aesthetics; emphasis on herbivore ecology including ecological impacts of grazing, ways to manage grazing, and nutritional relationships between plants and free-ranging ungulates on rangeland, pastureland, and forest ecosystems. One 4 to 5 day field trip. Recommended Preparation: REM 151. (Spring only)
REM 459 Rangeland Ecology (3 credits)
Application of ecological principles in rangeland management; stressing response and behavior of range ecosystems to various kinds and intensity of disturbance and management practice. Recommended Preparation: courses in general ecology (e. g. , REM 221), technical writing (e. g. , ENGL 317), and vegetation assessment (e. g. , REM 410 or FOR 274) or Permission. Students are encouraged to also enroll in REM 460 for field experience in collecting vegetation data that will be used in this course.
REM 460 Integrated Field Studies in Rangelands (1 credit)
Field experiences in rangeland ecology, vegetation measurements, and habitat assessment. The course consists of preparatory lectures and a four-day field trip to rangelands. The course integrates concepts from Principles of Vegetation Monitoring and Measurement (REM 410), Wildland Habitat Ecology and Assessment (REM 411), and Rangeland Ecology (REM 459). Students should take this course concurrently with or before REM 410, REM 411, and REM 459. Required for REM majors. (Fall only)
REM 473 ECB Senior Presentation (1 credit)
, FSP 473, NRS 473, WLF 473. Reporting and presenting the senior project (thesis or internship); taken after or concurrently with REM 497. Serves as the senior capstone course for Ecology and Conservation Biology (ECB).
REM 475 Remote Sensing Application with Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) (3 credits)
This course introduces students to the fundamental components of UAS, sensors and platforms, UAS operational concepts, the principles of UAS data collection, the legal framework for UAS operations, photogrammetric theory, image processing software, and the generation and analysis of orthomosaics and 3D point clouds. The course emphasizes the use of UAS in the context of natural resource science, technology and applications. Typically Offered: Varies.
REM 476 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Operations (1 credit)
This course covers the material necessary for students to pass the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate test needed to legally fly UAS for business, research, or resource management purposes. Additionally, the course reviews state and local laws and University policies for UAS operation and provides opportunities for students to gain operations experience through planning and executing UAS flights.
REM 480 Ecological Restoration (3 credits)
Planning and implementing restoration projects in conjunction with land agencies and stakeholders. Includes service-learning projects. Field trip(s) required. Additional literature review, reports, discussion, and/or a class project are required for graduate credit.
REM 497 Senior Research and Thesis (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. A research investigation, selected and designed jointly by the student and professor, during which the student has the opportunity to learn research techniques of experimental design, proposal writing, data collection and analysis, scientific writing, and publication; at completion, the student will produce a publishable journal manuscript and/or a conference presentation.
REM 498 (s) Internship (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. Supervised field experience where students define specific topics and skills in rangeland management they wish to gain, develop a learning plan, and present a final report of knowledge gained or project outcomes. The internships will be overseen by an on-site field supervisor and a faculty mentor. Instructor Permission required.
REM 499 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. For the individual student; conferences, library, field, or lab work.
REM 500 Master's Research and Thesis (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
REM 501 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. Major philosophy, management, and research problems of wildlands; presentation of individual studies on assigned topics.
REM 502 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
REM 503 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. Selected topics in the conservation and management of natural resources.
REM 504 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
REM 505 (s) Professional Development (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
REM 507 Landscape and Habitat Dynamics (3 credits)
Students explore landscape change occurring a variety of spatial and temporal scales, including global change, succession, disturbance events, and change induced by humans. Via scientific readings, models and spatial analysis students will learn how to quantify landscape change and how a change in environmental conditions and disturbance regimes may affect the composition of landscapes, specifically plant and animal habitats. Recommended Preparation: courses in ecology, statistics, and GIS. (Fall, alt/years)
REM 510 GIS Application in Fire Ecology and Management (2 credits)
Introduces applications of GIS in fire ecology, research, and management including incident mapping, fire progression mapping, GIS overlay analysis, remote sensing fire severity assessments, fire atlas analysis and the role of GIS in the Fire Regime Condition Class concept and the National Fire Plan. Additional assignment/projects required for graduate credit. (Spring only).
REM 511 Wildland Habitat Ecology and Assessment (2 credits)
This course integrates theoretical concepts with field sampling related to scientific research, wildlife habitat, and land management practices. Students collect, analyze, and report on ecological data in various formats, and learn specific protocols used by professionals to assess wildlife habitat. Class field trips are required for on-campus students, and alternative field assignments will be required for remote, online students. Additional assignments required for graduate credit. Recommended preparation: REM 252 and REM 253, REM 341, or other plant identification class; introductory statistics course; ability to use excel. Co-enrollment in REM 410 is recommended. Typically Offered: Fall. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.
REM 520 Advanced Vegetation Measurement and Monitoring (3 credits)
This course introduces theory and application of quantitative and qualitative methods for measuring and monitoring vegetation in grasslands, shrublands, woodlands, and forests. Students will gain a solid understanding of how to measure and evaluate vegetation attributes and design and implement monitoring programs relative to wildlife habitat, livestock forage, fire fuel characteristics, watershed function, and many other wildland values. Advanced Vegetation Measurements and Monitoring includes a 1-hr weekly discussion of current literature on vegetation measurements and the use of monitoring data for natural resource decision making. Recommended Preparation: A basic understanding of how to use computer spreadsheets such as Excel. Students are encouraged to also enroll in REM 460 for field experience in collecting vegetation data that will be used in this course. (Fall only)
REM 529 World Savannas (3 credits)
This course provides a broad overview of world savannas including their characteristics and the ecosystem goods and services they provide. The course focuses on the ecological and biogeochemical characteristics of savannas, how humans use these ecosystems, current problems, and strategies land management are applying to solve them.
REM 570 Presentation Skills for Scientists (2 credits)
A practical course to master the skills required for oral presentations for research, teaching, and outreach. A detailed examination of all elements that must be integrated and mastered for an effective and engaging oral presentation.
REM 580 Ecological Restoration (3 credits)
Planning and implementing restoration projects in conjunction with land agencies and stakeholders. Includes service-learning projects. Field trip(s) required. Additional literature review, reports, discussion and/or a class project are required for graduate credit.
REM 597 (s) Practicum (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
REM 598 (s) Internship (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
REM 599 (s) Non-thesis Master's Research (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. Research not directly related to a thesis or dissertation.
REM 600 Doctoral Research and Dissertation (1-45 credits)
Credit arranged
