FIRE 1101 Career in Fire and Fuels (2 credits)
Course introduces students to a spectrum of career paths related to wildland fire and fuels. Students will meet with professionals from a variety of employers and career levels and receive support for developing job applications and building the confidence needed to pursue meaningful work in the field of wildland fire and fuels. Typically Offered: Fall.
FIRE 1130 Introduction to Wildland Fire Management (2 credits)
Online course introduces students to wildland fire management and the foundational skills required for entry-level Firefighter Type 2, aligning with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group's (NWCG) basic fire training series (S-130, S-190, L-180). Students who have previously completed NWCG basic fire training series can submit documentation of completion; students who have not completed NWCG basic fire training series will be expected to complete it as part of the course. Students complete readings and reflective exercises designed to build an attitude of continual learning in wildland fire management. Students pursuing the B. S. in Fire Ecology and Management should take FIRE 1144 instead. Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
FIRE 1144 Wildland Fire Management (3 credits)
Course introduces students to wildland fire management and delivers the required National Wildfire Coordinating Group's (NWCG) training for individuals new to wildland fire management seeking certification as Firefighter Type 2 (S-130, S-190, L-180), as well as for those with experience aiming to advance to Firefighter Type 1 (S-290, S-131). Students work in squads to complete practical exercises supported by comprehensive lessons on the fire environment, fire management, and human factors. Students engage in regular reflections on readings and activities to build the habit of being a student of fire. Typically Offered: Spring.
FIRE 1212 Saws and Pumps (1 credit)
Course addresses basic operation of chainsaws for use on the fireline and wildland fire pumps and includes reflections and creation of job aids related to saws and pump operations. Students must have completed or been accepted into an offering of NWCGs S-211 (Portable Pumps and Water Use) and S-212 (Wildland Fire Chainsaw). Typically Offered: Spring and Summer.
FIRE 2000 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged.
FIRE 2030 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged.
FIRE 2040 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged.
FIRE 2213 Vegetation Management (2 credits)
Vegetation management is the key to effective wildland fire management. In this course, students are introduced to various methods for managing vegetation including prescribed fire, wildfire, thinning, mastication, and herbicide. Students use case studies to understand when and how to apply these treatments and how these treatments can influence fire behavior and fire effects. Upon successful completion of this course, students may be eligible for National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG) credit for S-219 (Fire Operations). Typically Offered: Spring and Summer.
FIRE 2215 Wildland-Urban Interface Assessment and Communication (2 credits)
As the wildland-urban interface grows, so does the need to prepare structures for the inevitability of wildfire. Students perform structure evaluations and make recommendations on how to increase the defensibility of homes and property. Students explore strategies for communicating about prescribed fire, wildfire, and defensible space with the public. Upon successful completion of this course, students may be eligible for National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG) credit for S-215 (Fire Operations in the Wildland Urban Interface). Typically Offered: Fall.
FIRE 2244 Introduction to Fuels Inventory and Monitoring (2 credits)
Course helps students learn about the role of monitoring in fire and land management. Students practice monitoring and reporting using photo points, journaling, and fuels sampling to gather information on changes over time, fuel loading, vegetation characteristics, fire behavior, and fire effects. Course leads to real-world expertise, whether one is becoming a more effective land manager or simply understanding fire’s impact on the environment. Typically Offered: Fall.
FIRE 2256 Science Synthesis in Fire Ecology and Management (2 credits)
Course prepares students to read and discuss current scientific and professional publications related to wildland fire and fuels management. Typically Offered: Fall.
FIRE 2261 Field Navigation and Fire Technology (2 credits)
Course provides students with immersive field experience to master navigation with compass, map, and cutting-edge mobile applications such as Avenza and Fieldmaps. Students also become familiar with fire behavior modeling programs such as BehavePlus and IFTDSS, and collect the necessary information to inform incident command decisions on prescribed fire and wildfire. Upon successful completion of this course, students may be eligible for National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG) credit for S-244 (field observer). Typically Offered: Spring. Prereqs or
FIRE 2273 Medical Response and Stress Management in Natural Resources (2 credits)
In the dynamic field of natural resources and fire management, professionals often face high-stress situations that demand both immediate medical response and effective stress management. Recommended preparation includes Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder where students develop experience with practical techniques for medical response, including first aid, emergency care, and crisis intervention tailored to the unique conditions of natural resource settings. Students will also complete training on stress-first aid and discuss the mental health challenges related to working in natural resources and fire management. Typically Offered: Fall.
FIRE 2280 Leadership and Decision-Making in Fire Management (2 credits)
Course explores strategies to assist with leadership and decision-making. Students must have completed or be accepted into an offering of the National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG) L-280 (Followership to Leadership). Students complete the NWCG Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program through readings, reflections, and discussions to help identify the core principles of leadership in wildland fire. Students also develop strategies to enhance their abilities as both leaders and followers. Recommended preparation: NWCG's S-131 (Firefighter Type 1). Typically Offered: Spring.
FIRE 2284 Fire Policy and Administration (2 credits)
Synthesis of historic and current fire policy and how it is implemented across agencies. Typically Offered: Spring.
FIRE 2290 Anticipating Wildland Fire Behavior (2 credits)
Course prepares students to build and practice the ability to anticipate wildland fire behavior through a greater understanding of how fuels, weather, and topography influence wildland fire behavior. Students also explore the details of notable incidents where fire led to unintended human tragedy and discuss ways that firefighters can maintain safety and effectiveness through situational awareness. Upon successful completion of this course, students may be eligible for National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG) credit for S-290 (Anticipating Wildland Fire Behavior). Typically Offered: Spring.
FIRE 2310 Introduction to Fire Effects and Management (2 credits)
Course addresses the impacts of fire on diverse ecosystems, from soils and aquatic environments to cultural resources, flora, fauna, plant diseases, and invertebrates. Introduction to how adaptive management can be used to manage complex systems. Course offers a comprehensive overview of fire effects and introduces the principles of adaptive management for navigating complex systems. Upon successful completion of this course, students may be eligible for National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG) credit for RX-310 (Introduction to Fire Effects). Students interested in upper division credits should take FIRE 4100 instead. Typically Offered: Fall.
FIRE 2980 Wildland Fuels and Fire Internship (1 credit, max 2)
Operating as a practitioner of wildland fire is essential to building confidence and capability. Students must be employed at an approved facility or organization in wildland fuels or fire management that offers varied occupational experiences, such as wildland firefighting, fuels reduction, and fuels measurements. Typically Offered: Summer.
FIRE 2990 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged.
FIRE 3321 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 3323 Communication and Facilitative Instruction in Fire Management (2 credits)
Course provides students with skills that support effective communication, instruction, and mentoring and the impact it has on a fire management career. Students explore essential theories and participate in virtual hands-on activities that sharpen their communication and instruction abilities. This course equips students with the tools to become more successful instructors of fire. Upon successful completion of this course, students may be eligible for National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG) credit for M-410 (Facilitative Instructor) with the option of getting a mentoring memo of completion. Typically Offered: Fall.
FIRE 3326 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 4000 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged.
FIRE 4030 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged.
FIRE 4040 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged.
FIRE 4050 (s) Professional Development (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged.
FIRE 4100 Fire Effects and Management (3 credits)
Course discusses the direct and indirect effects of fire on humans, soils, water, plants, and animals and how adaptive management can be used to plan for and mitigate fire effects. Students complete a literature review on fire effects in an area of their choice, and they experience fire effects firsthand in the field. Upon successful completion of this course, students may be eligible for National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG) credit for RX-310 (Introduction to Fire Effects). Recommended preparation: FOR 2100 or WLF 2200. Typically Offered: Varies.
FIRE 4310 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. Five days of field trips; some on Saturdays. Typically Offered: Fall.
FIRE 4407 GIS Application in Fire Ecology and Management (3 credits)
Course provides students with independent skills using ArcGIS and ArcGIS Online while exposing them to different applications for GIS in fire ecology management. Skills developed include collecting data from the field, creating electronic and printable maps, working with rasters, and keeping data organized. Typically Offered: Spring.
FIRE 4410 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 4433 Fire and Fuel Modeling (3 credits)
Course prepares students 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). Students perform a landscape-scale fire and fuels assessment for an area of their choice and evaluate the modeling results for management applications on fuel treatment effectiveness or potential fire behavior impacts. Typically Offered: Varies.
FIRE 4435 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 students 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. Typically Offered: Spring.
FIRE 4440 Prescribed Fire for Ecologically-Based Management (2-3 credits)
Course prepares students to better understand prescribed burning in support of ecologically based management through reading, discussing, participating, monitoring, and reflecting on prescribed burns. Students will participate in service-learning opportunities with training exchanges, prescribed fire training centers, and/or local prescribed burns. Additional credits are earned by completing a synthesis of prescribed fire history and effects in a chosen management area with the purpose of advancing the use of prescribed fire in that management area. Typically Offered: Spring and Summer.
FIRE 4451 Fuels Inventory and Monitoring (3 credits)
Monitoring is a critical step in confirming that management objectives are met and communicating the effectiveness of management actions. Students develop the skills needed for fuels monitoring and fuels management decisions. These skills are developed through the synthesis of relevant scientific literature, class discussions, implementation of fuel inventory protocols, and hands-on experience with several fuel and fire modeling software programs. For the final project, students design and implement a monitoring protocol for an area of their choice. Typically Offered: Spring.
FIRE 4490 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 4980 (s) Internship (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.
FIRE 4990 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged.
FIRE 5000 Master's Research and Thesis (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged.
FIRE 5010 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged. Graded Pass/Fail.
FIRE 5020 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged.
FIRE 5030 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged.
FIRE 5040 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged.
FIRE 5050 (s) Professional Development (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged.
FIRE 5100 GIS Application in Fire Ecology and Management (3 credits)
Course provides students with independent skills using ArcGIS and ArcGIS Online while exposing them to different applications for GIS in fire ecology management. Skills developed include collecting data from the field, creating electronic and printable maps, working with rasters, and keeping data organized. Typically Offered: Spring.
FIRE 5326 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 5410 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 5435 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 students 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. Typically Offered: Spring.
FIRE 5484 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 5300. Typically Offered: Fall.
FIRE 5490 Advanced Fire Behavior (3 credits)
Credit may be earned in only one of the following: FIRE 4490 or FIRE 5490. 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 5970 (s) Practicum (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged.
FIRE 5980 (s) Internship (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged.
FIRE 5990 (s) Non-thesis Master's Research (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged. Research not directly related to a thesis or dissertation.
FIRE 6000 Doctoral Research and Dissertation (1-45 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged.
FIRE 6010 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged.
FIRE 6980 Internship (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged.
FOR 1300 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 1400 Introduction to Forest Management (2 credits)
Intro to forestry, current management issues, timber and non-timber resources, and 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 1700 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 1800 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 2000 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FOR 2030 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FOR 2040 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FOR 2100 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 2110 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 1140. Typically Offered: Fall.
FOR 2200 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 2210 Forest Mensuration I (3 credits)
Practical methods used to measure tree, stand, and forest-level attributes for guiding silvicultural management decisions. Provides fundamental skills in the use of technology for inventory data analytics. Field trips required. Typically Offered: Fall. Prereqs or
FOR 2220 Forest Mensuration II (2 credits)
Principles and practice of forest sampling and data analytics. Introduction to forest biometrics. Provides experiential learning in quantitative and analytical software packages. Field trips required. Typically Offered: Spring.
FOR 2300 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 2350 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-hour small discussion group meeting per week.
FOR 2500 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 eight-week course. Typically Offered: Fall. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.
FOR 2510 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 2520 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 2550 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 2560 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: Spring.
FOR 2570 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 2590 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 2800 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 2050. Typically Offered: Spring.
FOR 2810 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 2850 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 2880 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 2980 Forest Technology Internship (1 credit)
Paid or unpaid employment in forest industry at an approved facility or organization structured to provide varied occupational experiences. Graded Pass/Fail. Typically Offered: Summer.
FOR 2990 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FOR 3100 Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology (3 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. Typically Offered: Spring.
FOR 3400 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).
FOR 3700 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 and Spring.
FOR 3980 (s) Renewable Natural Resources Internship (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged. Supervised field experience with an appropriate public or private agency. Required for cooperative education students. Graded Pass/Fail.
FOR 4000 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FOR 4030 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FOR 4040 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FOR 4050 (s) Professional Development (1-16 credits, max 99)
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 4101 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 4101L Forest Production Ecology Lab (1 credit)
Practical lab activities associated with forest production ecology and companion laboratory with FOR 4101. One 3-hour lab per week. Requires additional effort for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Fall. Prereqs or
FOR 4110 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 5000-level credit must complete a research project and presentation in addition to the requirements for the 4000-level credit.
FOR 4120 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 4130 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 4150 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. Typically Offered: Spring.
FOR 4151 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 4160 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 4300 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 4310 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 2350.
FOR 4400 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 4500 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 4510 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 4520 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 4600 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. Typically Offered: Varies.
FOR 4610 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 4720 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 1143. Typically Offered: Fall. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.
FOR 4730 ECB Senior Presentation (1 credit)
, NRS 4730, REM 4730, WLF 4730. Reporting and presenting the senior project (thesis or internship); taken after or concurrently with REM 4970. Serves as the senior capstone course for Ecology and Conservation Biology (ECB).
FOR 4830 Senior Project Presentation (1 credit)
Reporting and presenting the senior project (thesis or internship); taken after or concurrently with FOR 4970.
FOR 4970 (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 4980 (s) Renewable Natural Resources Internship (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged. Supervised field experience with an appropriate public or private agency. Required for cooperative education students.
FOR 4990 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged. For the individual student; conferences, library, field, or lab work.
FOR 5000 Master's Research and Thesis (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FOR 5010 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits, max 99)
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 5020 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FOR 5030 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged. Selected topics in the conservation and management of natural resources.
FOR 5040 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FOR 5050 (s) Professional Development (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FOR 5100 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 5100L Forest Production Ecology Lab (1 credit)
Practical lab activities associated with forest production ecology and companion laboratory with FOR 4101. One 3-hour lab per week. Requires additional effort for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Fall. Prereqs or
FOR 5130 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 5150 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 5160 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 5180 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 5000-level credit must complete a research project and presentation in addition to the requirements for the 4000-level credit.
FOR 5200 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 5300 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 Typically Offered: Spring.
FOR 5600 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. Typically Offered: Fall and Varies.
FOR 5900 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 5970 (s) Practicum (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FOR 5980 (s) Internship (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FOR 5990 (s) Non-thesis Master's Research (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged. Research not directly related to a thesis or dissertation.
FOR 6000 Doctoral Research and Dissertation (1-45 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FOR 6010 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FOR 6980 Internship (1-16 credits, max 99)
FSP 1010 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 2010 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 2030 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FSP 2040 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FSP 2990 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FSP 3010 Properties of Forest and Sustainable Products (3 credits)
Physiology, structure, and physical and mechanical properties of wood and other natural cellulosic fibers.
FSP 4000 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FSP 4030 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FSP 4040 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FSP 4050 (s) Professional Development (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged. Credit earned in this course will not be accepted toward graduate degree programs.
FSP 4110 Undergraduate Research (1-3 credits, max 3)
Directed undergraduate research at the upper division level.
FSP 4250 Forest Products Marketing (3 credits)
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 4360 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. Typically Offered: Fall.
FSP 4380 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 4440 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. Typically Offered: Varies.
FSP 4500 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 3010. Typically Offered: Varies.
FSP 4730 ECB Senior Presentation (1 credit)
, NRS 4730, REM 4730, WLF 4730. Reporting and presenting the senior project (thesis or internship); taken after or concurrently with REM 4970. Serves as the senior capstone course for Ecology and Conservation Biology (ECB).
FSP 4910 Biomaterial Product and Process Development Lab (2 credits)
Lab to accompany FSP 4950. One 3-hour lab per week. Typically Offered: Spring.
FSP 4950 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 4980 Forest and Sustainable Products Internship (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged. Supervised field experience with an appropriate organization. Graded Pass/Fail.
FSP 4990 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged. For the individual student; conferences, library, field, or lab work.
FSP 5000 Master's Research and Thesis (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FSP 5010 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged. Major philosophy, management, and research problems of forest products industries; presentation of individual studies on assigned topics.
FSP 5020 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FSP 5030 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged. Selected topics in the conservation and management of natural resources.
FSP 5040 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FSP 5050 (s) Professional Development (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged. Credit earned in this course will not be accepted toward graduate degree programs.
FSP 5360 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. Typically Offered: Fall.
FSP 5380 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. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.
FSP 5500 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 3010. Typically Offered: Varies.
FSP 5980 (s) Internship (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
FSP 5990 (s) Research (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged. Research not directly related to a thesis or dissertation.
FSP 6000 Doctoral Research and Dissertation (1-45 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
REM 1510 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 2000 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
REM 2030 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
REM 2040 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
REM 2210 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.
REM 2520 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. Typically Offered: Spring.
REM 2530 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 2520 (Wildland Plant Identification) before or after this field class. Typically Offered: Fall.
REM 2800 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 2990 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
REM 3410 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. Typically Offered: Spring.
REM 3980 Renewable Natural Resources Internship (1-16 credits, max 99)
Supervised field experience with an appropriate public or private agency. Required for cooperative education students. Graded Pass/Fail.
REM 4000 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
REM 4030 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
REM 4040 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
REM 4050 (s) Professional Development (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
REM 4100 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 4600 for field experience in collecting vegetation data that will be used in this course. Graduate students should enroll in REM 5200. Typically Offered: Fall.
REM 4110 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 2520 and REM 2530, REM 3410, or other plant identification class; introductory statistics course; ability to use excel. Co-enrollment in REM 4100 is recommended. Typically Offered: Fall. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.
REM 4290 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. Typically Offered: Spring.
REM 4400 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 4410 Riparian Management & Restoration (3 credits)
Course focuses on the management and restoration of riparian areas, taking a systems approach to understanding the ecological and hydrological relationships occurring in riparian areas of both forests and rangelands. Course is focused on developing a knowledge of multiple connections between soil, water, and terrestrial vegetation occurring in riparian areas, with an emphasis on the impacts of land use and management of riparian ecosystem functions, methods of restoration, and sustainable use of riparian systems. Typically Offered: Fall.
REM 4510 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 4560 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 1510. Typically Offered: Spring.
REM 4590 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 2210), technical writing (e. g. , ENGL 3170), and vegetation assessment (e. g. , REM 4100 or FOR 2210) or Permission. Students are encouraged to also enroll in REM 4600 for field experience in collecting vegetation data that will be used in this course.
REM 4600 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 4100), Wildland Habitat Ecology and Assessment (REM 4110), and Rangeland Ecology (REM 4590). Students should take this course concurrently with or before REM 4100, REM 4110, and REM 4590. Required for REM majors. Typically Offered: Fall.
REM 4730 ECB Senior Presentation (1 credit)
, FSP 4730, NRS 4730, WLF 4730. Reporting and presenting the senior project (thesis or internship); taken after or concurrently with REM 4970. Serves as the senior capstone course for Ecology and Conservation Biology (ECB).
REM 4750 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 4760 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. Typically Offered: Varies.
REM 4800 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 4950 Teaching Practicum (1-3 credits, max 99)
Provides students with peer teaching experience and assisting an instructor. May include classroom activities, grading assignments, developing materials, and/or participating in field trips. Additional coursework required for graduate credit.
REM 4970 Senior Research and Thesis (1-16 credits, max 99)
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 4980 (s) Internship (1-16 credits, max 99)
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 4990 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits, max 99)
For the individual student; conferences, library, field, or lab work.
REM 5000 Master's Research and Thesis (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged Prereqs or
REM 5010 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits, max 99)
Major philosophy, management, and research problems of wildlands; presentation of individual studies on assigned topics.
REM 5020 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
REM 5030 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits, max 99)
Selected topics in the conservation and management of natural resources.
REM 5040 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
REM 5050 (s) Professional Development (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
REM 5070 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. Typically Offered: Fall (Odd Years).
REM 5110 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 2520 and REM 2530, REM 3410, or other plant identification class; introductory statistics course; ability to use excel. Co-enrollment in REM 4100 is recommended. Typically Offered: Fall. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.
REM 5200 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 4600 for field experience in collecting vegetation data that will be used in this course. Typically Offered: Fall.
REM 5290 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 5700 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 5800 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 5950 Teaching Practicum (1-3 credits, max 99)
Provides students with peer teaching experience and assisting an instructor. May include classroom activities, grading assignments, developing materials, and/or participating in field trips. Additional coursework required for graduate credit.
REM 5970 (s) Practicum (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
REM 5980 (s) Internship (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
REM 5990 (s) Non-thesis Master's Research (1-16 credits, max 99)
Research not directly related to a thesis or dissertation.
REM 6000 Doctoral Research and Dissertation (1-45 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
