Forestry Courses | 2024-2025 Graduate Catalog | SIU

(Same as AGRI 401 and REC 401) A survey course designed to help education majors develop an understanding of environmental education principles and teaching both inside and outside the classroom. Prerequisite: ten hours of biological science or ten hours of recreation and/or education, or consent of instructor. Course fee: $25.

Credit Hours: 3

Fundamentals of hydrology as related to forest and wildland water resources will be emphasized. Considerations will include the hydrologic cycle with emphasis on soil and groundwater regimes, evapotranspiration, surface and subsurface runoff, and the quantity and timing of water yield.

Credit Hours: 3

This course examines the deliberate integration of forestry and related land management practices within agricultural landscapes, primarily addressing wildlife habitat, water quality, crop yield, and animal production enhancement and sustainability. Emphasis is placed on systems successfully implemented in North America, particularly the Midwest, but international examples will also be discussed.

Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed to familiarize students with a scientific understanding of the theory and practice of forest management for wildlife. Students will gain knowledge of basic forestry management principles as they apply to wildlife; ecology and management of different types of forests for wildlife; and habitat requirements of forest birds, mammals, and herps and applicable forest management techniques.

Credit Hours: 3

Examines management planning decision-making for multiple-use forests around the world. Reviews concepts useful for analyzing flow-resource problems, emphasizing systems approaches, introduces use of modern quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate resource use alternatives. Case studies from around the world. Prerequisite: FOR 411.

Credit Hours: 3

Application of micro and macro economics principles to forest timber and non-timber production: capital theory, benefit-cost analysis; and economics of conservation. Prerequisites: ABE 204 or ECON 240, FOR 310 and FOR 351, or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

Basic theories and techniques of obtaining genetically superior trees for forest regeneration. Restricted to senior standing.

Credit Hours: 2

FOR 415 provides a practical overview of planning, mapping, and execution of prescribed burns for ecological restoration efforts in woodland and prairie habitats or other wildland areas. Emphasis will be placed on writing burn prescriptions, laying out burn units, planning and executing burns, and long term monitoring efforts. This will be accomplished with weekly on-line reading assignments followed by Friday morning field trips to visit burn units, prepare control lines, record weather observations, and conduct fuel model assessments. Course fee: $45. Offered during spring semesters. Prerequisite: FOR 315-Fire in Wildland Management. Consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 2

The application of business procedures and technical forestry principles to manage forest properties. Emphasis on integrated resource management for tangible and intangible benefits. Prerequisite: FOR 351, completion of Forest Resource summer camp series or consent of instructor. Course fee: $25.

Credit Hours: 4

Principles of location theory as a basis for determining land use; supply of forest land; population pressure and demand; conservation principles; determination of forest land values; institutional factors influencing forest land-use; forest taxation; special taxes, and capital gains. Taught in alternate years. Prerequisite: FOR 411 or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 2

The role of marketing in the forest industries; review of economic principles; product policy, planning the product line, pricing, marketing channels, marketing programs, marketing organization, and marketing research as influences on the marketing of lumber, wood products, pulp, and paper. Taught in alternate years. Prerequisite: FOR 411 or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 2

The management of state and federal parks and recreation areas. A systems approach toward management and decision-making will be emphasized. Course fee: $50.

Credit Hours: 3

Principles and methods for land-use planning of park and recreation environments with emphasis on human dimensions of natural resource research. Focus on planning process and types of information to gather and organize. Application in group field projects. Prerequisite: FOR 220, 420, or consent of instructor. Course fee: $25.

Credit Hours: 3

A study of park conditions, visitors, and management practices at selected county, state, and federal park systems in the U.S., including the federal wilderness preservation system. Prerequisite: FOR 220 or consent of instructor. Requires field trip transportation fees and supplemental expenditures per course registration. Summer camp fees and costs are outlined in the Forestry major - Forest Recreation and Park Management Specialization. Summer Camp Field Trip Transportation/Equipment fee: $750.

Credit Hours: 6

(Same as AGRI 423 and REC 423) Principles and techniques of natural and cultural interpretation. Two hours lecture, three hours laboratory. Prerequisite: ten hours biological science or ten hours of recreation. Field Trip Transportation/Equipment fee: $40.

Credit Hours: 3

Introduction to the field of habitat management for wild game species in the Central Hardwood Forest Region of North America. Special emphasis will be placed on providing and manipulating the essential habitat requirements for trophy game including deer, turkey, and upland birds. A holistic approach to habitat management will be emphasized to identify how management of wild game habitat can satisfy other landowner goals and objectives. Restricted to junior level standing or above or permission of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to principles and practices useful in the management of trees and forests in populated settings. Emphasis is placed on the development of comprehensive management strategies consistent with the biological, physical, economic and social constraints of the urban environment.

Credit Hours: 2

A field intensive laboratory course focused on hydrological and biological methods used to manage watersheds and assess watershed health. Laboratory topics include stream gauging, soil water and ground water sampling, channel morphology, stream benthos measurements, and water quality analysis of stream and lake ecosystems. Field Trip Transportation/Equipment fee: $30.

Credit Hours: 2

Emphasis is placed on the principles, technical problems, procedures, alternatives, and consequences encountered in managing wildland watersheds for the production of quality water in harmony with other uses.

Credit Hours: 3

This course examines prevailing management practices within each of the major forested regions of the United States. The course is primarily intended for students interested in wildlife habitat, wood production, or restoration. Emphasis is placed on understanding how underlying soils, silvics, climate, biotic agents, social forces, and past uses drive forestry differentially across the country. Prerequisite/Co-Requisite: FOR 310, or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed to familiarize students with a scientific understanding of major topics in wildlife ecology and management, with a special focus on Forestry majors and natural resource inventory techniques. Students will gain knowledge of the history of the field of wildlife management, primary wildlife management principles and practices, ecological theory pertinent to wildlife populations and habitat, and current important issues/problems regarding wildlife management and natural resource inventory.

Credit Hours: 3

Forest Soils is designed to give the student a more comprehensive in-depth study of the patterns and processes of soil formation and their relation to forest productivity. Upon completion of the course, student will be familiar with soil/plant interactions, water relationships, and forest soil management for sustainable productivity and environmental quality. This course provides a sound basis for learning basic soils concepts specifically related to forest ecosystems which are beneficial to Forestry majors and those majoring/minoring in Soil Science or related natural science disciplines. Prerequisite: FOR 352 or consent of instructor. Field Trip Transportation/Equipment fee: $25.

Credit Hours: 3

Companion laboratory for FOR 452. Emphasis is on methods to characterize and evaluate the chemical, physical, and biological properties of forest soils. Field Trip Transportation/Equipment fee: $25. Offered spring semester, even years.

Credit Hours: 2

Methods of assessing the environmental impact of land-use systems on forest resources and assessing the impact of forest management systems on environmental quality are presented. Case studies culminating in the preparation of environmental impact statements are emphasized. Restricted to senior standing in a natural resource major. Field Trip Transportation/Equipment fee: $25.

Credit Hours: 2

A study of forest communities, soils, and site conditions. Course requires a field trip of about 10 days. Each trip is worth three semester credits; a maximum of 6 credits may be applied toward degree. Restricted to senior standing in natural resources or biological sciences, courses in tree identification, forest ecology, and soils. Special approval needed from the instructor. Field Trip Transportation/Equipment fee: $500.

Credit Hours: 3

A study of forest communities, soils, and site conditions. Course requires a field trip of about 10 days. Each trip is worth three semester credits; a maximum of 6 credits may be applied toward degree. Restricted to senior standing in natural resources or biological sciences, courses in tree identification, forest ecology, and soils. Special approval needed from the instructor. Field Trip Transportation/Equipment fee: $500.

Credit Hours: 3

A study of forest communities, soils, and site conditions. Course requires a field trip of about 10 days. Each trip is worth three semester credits; a maximum of 6 credits may be applied toward degree. Restricted to senior standing in natural resources or biological sciences, courses in tree identification, forest ecology, and soils. Special approval needed from the instructor. Field Trip Transportation/Equipment fee: $500.

Credit Hours: 3

A study of forest communities, soils, and site conditions. Course requires a field trip of about 10 days. Each trip is worth three semester credits; a maximum of 6 credits may be applied toward degree. Restricted to senior standing in natural resources or biological sciences, courses in tree identification, forest ecology, and soils. Special approval needed from the instructor. Field Trip Transportation/Equipment fee: $500.

Credit Hours: 3

A study of forest communities, soils, and disturbance factors in the Southwestern United States. Course requires a field trip of about 8 days. Each trip in the Forest Ecology Series is worth three semester credits; a max of 6 credits may be applied toward student's degree program. The Southwestern Fuels Management course focus is on learning about fuels inventory and the mapping software in use by most federal agencies when developing fuels project work across jurisdictions. A main deliverable of this course will be hands-on experience in writing a fuels project analysis for an ongoing district planning team, learning about fuels, modeling software, and field methods. Students will also have the opportunity to work with an on-site field forester and fire ecologist and visit national historic sites. Prerequisites: FOR 315 or concurrent enrollment and FOR 351 and consent of instructor. Field Trip Transportation/Equipment fee: $500.

Credit Hours: 3

Analysis of raw material requirements, the processes and the products of forest industries. The environmental impact of each forest industry will also be discussed.

Credit Hours: 2

Study of current management philosophy and practice in America's wilderness. Analysis of current wilderness policy and its historical evolution. Discussion of the evolution of the wilderness idea and the individuals that have influenced it. Weekend field trip required. Offered alternate (even) years. Restricted to senior standing. Field Trip Transportation/Equipment fee: $80.

Credit Hours: 2

Examines the role and methods of stakeholders in influencing natural resource policies. Emphasis on applied methods, techniques and strategies for conflict resolution, especially collaborative decision making and persuasion theory. Restricted to junior standing or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as CSEM 486, PSAS 486) Ecology and evolution of invasive plant species, with a focus on land management, including characteristics and biology, introduction and spread, population dynamics, community impacts and ecological interactions, and invasive plant evolution and adaptation, as well as management techniques and considerations, including biological, chemical, and mechanical control. Prerequisite: BIOL 307 or consent of instructor. Restricted to junior standing.

Credit Hours: 3

Supervised practicum in a professional setting. Emphasis on administration, supervision, teaching and program leadership in community, school, park, forest, institution, and public or private agencies. Students should enroll according to their curriculum specialization. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 1-6

Supervised practicum in a professional setting. Emphasis on administration, supervision, teaching and program leadership in community, school, park, forest, institution, and public or private agencies. Students should enroll according to their curriculum specialization. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 1-6

Supervised practicum in a professional setting. Emphasis on administration, supervision, teaching and program leadership in community, school, park, forest, institution, and public or private agencies. Students should enroll according to their curriculum specialization. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 1-6

Research philosophy, approaches to research; theory, hypotheses inference, and predicting; problem identification, project development and organization; methods of data collection, analysis and presentation; drawing conclusions and organizing results.

Credit Hours: 2

Presentation and critiques of current research project of faculty, graduate student and selected resource persons.

Credit Hours: 1

A study of current issues relating to hydrology and the management of water resources in forested and mixed land-use watersheds. Readings, discussions and projects will focus on research and management topics in water quality and quantity at regional, national and international levels. Prerequisite: FOR 402 or FOR 430 or equivalent or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

A study of physiological concepts and attributes of trees that underlies growth, ontogeny, and reproduction in the context of applied forest management. Physiological concepts will be presented and discussed in a framework that relates their influence on forest stand management activities such as establishing natural regeneration, tree planting, and other silvicultural processes in native, plantation and urban forests as well as forest tree and stand responses to disturbance, and the development and maintenance of old growth. Students who have achieved a passing grade in FOR 404 are not eligible to take this course. Prerequisite: PLB 200, or FOR 201, or FOR 331 or a plant physiology course.

Credit Hours: 3

Review and evaluation of current research and concepts in landscape ecology management. Principles of landscape ecology in the context of forested systems will be presented and discussed. Emphasis on how spatial heterogeneity and human activities influence landscape patterns. Students who have taken FOR 406 are ineligible to enroll. Prerequisite: G.I.S. course or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

Introduction to the basic concepts and foundations of historical ecology, a discipline which joins traditional ecology with an investigation of human landscape transformation. Emphasis is placed on the interdisciplinary approach to historical ecology with readings in pollen analysis, dendrochronology, land-use history, archival and historical sources, and traditional vegetation surveys and reconstructions. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: 300 level plant ecology course or equivalent or consent of instructor. Field trip cost approximately $35.

Credit Hours: 2

Current and emerging issues in silviculture and landscape-scale natural resource and agricultural sustainability are addressed at the individual manager/farmer or small community level. Case studies consider underlying physical and biological principles underlying successful rehabilitation practices across a wide range of social contexts and physical landscapes. Experimental methodologies and their application to management problems are critiqued. Water, grazing, food crop, wildlife/biodiversity conservation, and biofuels are emphasized with accommodations for students with related interests. This course is intended for students with undergraduate training or practical backgrounds in natural resource management or agriculture and who are seeking to integrate these disciplines toward developing actionable solutions. Special approved needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 2

Application of microeconomic, macroeconomic and capital theory to forest resource problems; introductory econometric methods; long range supply and demand projections; international forest economics and policy problems decision theory in forest resource management. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: FOR 411 or equivalent or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 2

Quantitative methods of describing variation patterns of trees, testing genetic and environmental effects and interactions and evaluations of tree improvement program. Prerequisite: FOR 412 or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 2

An examination of concepts and processes associated with urban environments. Physical, chemical, and biological stresses associated with land use change and urban sprawl will be discussed and presented with a focus on water resources. Class discussion, readings, and projects will concentrate on current research in the urban environment. Restricted to graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

Case studies in forest land management, management planning, utilizing computer programming, CFI and TSI role in long range management planning. Offered alternate years-odd. Prerequisite: FOR 416, FOR 331 and summer camp or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 2

Study of nature and functions of the recreation environmental planning process in theoretical and policy terms. Types of plans at local, regional and state levels. Evaluation of different types of planning approaches and their utility in particular situations. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: FOR 421 or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 2

Review of sociological and psychological theories relevant to outdoor recreation planning; management alternatives. Review of current behavior research in outdoor recreation. Application of behavioral concepts to recreation planning and administration. Offered alternate years.

Credit Hours: 2

Survey of theories and methods relating to resource interpretation planning and practice resulting from research in communication, education and marketing. Examines case studies and existing issues current to the profession of interpretation. Stresses relationship between theory and application. Prerequisite: FOR 423 or consent of instructor. Offered alternate years.

Credit Hours: 2

Establishment and maintenance of trees as beneficial components of urban environments. Tree functionality is addressed from biological, social, and economic opportunities and constraints commonly associated with cities and towns. Management of trees and wooded areas within ecological urban landscapes is addressed from the perspective of multiple constituencies. This course is primarily intended to be taken as part of the ecological urban landscapes graduate program and is offered Online Only. May be taken as a substitute for FOR 428. Students who have achieved a passing grade in FOR 428 are not eligible to take this course.

Credit Hours: 3

A discussion of the factors affecting site quality and their use in present site evaluation methods. Lectures will draw upon recently published scientific literature as well as forest research data collected and analyzed for southern Illinois forests. Laboratories will include sampling of forest sites and stands with subsequent analysis of data using graphic and statistical techniques and a computer to develop site evaluation models. Prerequisite: BIOL 307 or consent of instructor. Cost: $20.

Credit Hours: 2

Provide a historical overview and current perspective on major topics in forest ecology including natural disturbance, gap and patch dynamics, and relevant restoration ecology techniques. This is accomplished through a critical examination of the literature through reading, group discussions, and field trips. Two to three field trips will be organized during the semester to observe the effects of natural disturbance with an approximate total cost of $25 per student. Offered alternate years.

Credit Hours: 2

Theory and practice of analyses pertaining to the study of wildlife-habitat relationships. Understanding of common data collection techniques in wildlife and forestry science. Use of computers, statistical programs, and other forms of data analysis. Ability to work on practical and applied problems in wildlife conservation. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

Current and emerging topics in spatial ecology that serve to confront conservation and management issues in natural resources. This course will introduce students to the study of how space directly and indirectly affects ecological processes that drive biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Readings cover topics from quantifying spatial patterns to evaluating ecological responses to space. Offered spring semester of even years. Restricted to graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 2

Multidisciplinary study of influences and constraints on human-renewable natural resource interactions. Readings, discussion and problem solving to enhance appreciation of human dimensions as an integral component of natural resource management. Emphasis on diverse perspectives on forest, fisheries, and wildlife; conceptual frameworks and research methodologies. Offered alternate (odd) years.

Credit Hours: 3

University residential graduate program abroad. Prior approval by the program is required both for the nature of program and the number of hours of credit.

Credit Hours: 1-6

Intensive consideration is given to current practices and problems in forestry. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 1-4

Intensive study of disciplines fundamental to forestry. Study of the identification of native and exotic trees. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 1-4

Intensive study of disciplines fundamental to forestry. Study of the physiology of individual tree species in relation to their environment. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 1-4

Intensive study of disciplines fundamental to forestry. Study analysis and integration of tree growth, forest structure and classification in relation to climate/edaphic factors as an ecological basis for forest management. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 1-4

Intensive study of disciplines fundamental to forestry. Study of measurement, statistical and data processing concepts; volume, growth, yield of forest products and methods of sampling forest resources. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 1-4

Intensive study of disciplines fundamental to forestry. Study of principles and methods for land-use planning of park and recreation environments. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 1-4

Intensive study of disciplines fundamental to forestry. Study of concepts and techniques utilized in the silvicultural treatment of forests. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 1-4

Intensive study of disciplines fundamental to forestry. Study of all aspects of fire as a phenomenon in wildland management. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 1-4

Intensive study of disciplines fundamental to forestry. An introduction to the characterization and fundamental concepts of forest soils and their relationships to forest communities and forest management practices. Emphasis is on the chemical, biological, and physical properties of forest soils as related to forests and forest management.

Credit Hours: 1-4

Integrate the use of mapping, orthophotographs, and field information to evaluate resources in the development of land management plans. Topics covered range from orthophoto interpretation, to GIS database management, and vegetation mapping. Course includes classroom presentation, field trips, and laboratory exercises. $50 Field trip fee.

Credit Hours: 3

Directed research in selected fields of forestry.

Credit Hours: 1-4

A minimum of three and a maximum of eight hours to be counted toward a Master's degree.

Credit Hours: 1-8

For those graduate students who have not finished their degree programs and who are in the process of working on their dissertation, thesis, or research paper. The student must have completed a minimum of 24 hours of dissertation research, or the minimum thesis, or research hours before being eligible to register for this course. Concurrent enrollment in any other course is not permitted. Graded S/U or DEF only.

Credit Hours: 1