FOR20050 Principles of Forestry

Academic Year 2020/2021

This course should provide students with foundation knowledge of the basic principles of forestry. The topics covered will include forest genetics and tree improvement; seed factors and seed pretreatments; bare-root and container nursery practices; and planting stock quality. Methods of estimating stand volume using both the tariff and abbreviated tariff systems will be described. There will be several field study trips. Each student must submit a summary report for each field trip; the reports account for 15% of the marks for this module.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to: Explain the approaches that might be taken to improve forest productivity through genetic manipulation or other tree improvement methods. Describe the main steps involved in culturing tree seedlings in bare-root and container nurseries to produce high quality planting stock. Estimate the volume of a stand of trees using both the tariff and abbreviated tariff systems.

Indicative Module Content:

Forest genetics and tree improvement, including provenance selection. Seed dormancy and pretreatments used to break dormancy. Nursery production systems. Bare-root nursery culture: seed sowing, fertilisation, protection, lifting and storage of nursery stock. Container nursery culture. Planting stock quality. Estimating stand volume using both the tariff and abbreviated tariff systems.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

36

Tutorial

12

Field Trip/External Visits

35

Autonomous Student Learning

40

Total

123

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
In addition to lectures and examination approach, students are assigned problems based on visits to the field, which involves applying knowledge obtained from the lectures to the assigned problems. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Fieldwork: Field trip reports/ assignments Varies over the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

15

Class Test: End-of-term class exam Week 12 n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

50

Class Test: Mid-term class exam Week 7 n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

35


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback provided to class following in-class exams and individual feedback provided when requested.

Name Role
Professor Aine Ni Dhubhain Lecturer / Co-Lecturer