MOTION #13

That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive the addition of BIOL 3447 – Silviculture to the Academic Calendar.

A) Descriptive Data:

Course Code / BIOL 3447
Course Title / Silviculture
Course Credits / 3 credits6 credits Other Click here to specify
Course Description / Students examine practices used to control the establishment, growth, species composition, and health of forests to meet diverse needs and values while adhering to ecosystem-based management approaches to reforestation. Topics include silvicultural systems, stand development, site productivity, tree growth/architecture, tree improvement, seeding and planting stock, natural and artificial regeneration; site preparation, and tending.
Course Prerequisite / BIOL 2447 (Ecology of Ontario Trees and Forests), BIOL 2346 (Techniques in Forest Ecology and Management)
Course Corequisite / Click here to enter Course Corequisite
Antirequisite / Click here to enter Antirequisite
Restriction / Click here to enter Restriction
Instructional Method /  lecture
laboratory work
private study
seminar
practical work
independent study /  tutorial
studio work
 service learning
 clinical practice
online delivery
Hours of contact time
expected per week / 3 hours per week
Hours of contact time
expected per term / 36
Program Implications / Does this course have program implications?
Yes No
If yes, please specify:
Course Grouping
or Stream / Does this course belong to a Group or Stream?
 Yes No
If yes, please specify: click here to specify
Cross-Listing /  Cross-Listed - this course may be credited towards
Click here to enter cross-listing information
Learning Outcomes
(6-8 points, visible, measurable and in active voice) / Students who successfully complete this course will demonstrate:
1) A comprehensive understanding of the importance of silviculture in wood supply and forest management;
2) A comprehensive knowledge of the characteristics of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence, Boreal and Carolinian forests of Ontario, and the ability to recommend protocols for the management ofecosites within these forest regions;
3) A comprehensive knowledge of the Silvicultural Harvesting Systems used to manage Ontario forests and how these systems relate to species characteristics and management goals;
4) The ability to prescribe appropriate site preparation methods while understanding the circumstances in which they are used to promote seedling establishment and forest regeneration;
5) The ability to apply principles of tree species selection that include an understanding of seedling physiology, in developing natural and artificial forest regeneration prescriptions;
6) A comprehensive knowledge of commonly used intermediate silvicultural treatments, including commercial and pre-commercial thinning, pruning, forest fertilization, and vegetation management;
7) The ability to conduct silviculture surveys and provide recommendations for further silviculture treatments;
8) A knowledge of activities in provincial, federal and private sectors used to improve reforestation success.

B) Statement of Need:

Silviculture, the art and science of forest renewal, is a fundamental component of the sustainable management of forest resources and, as such, is a key factor both in the local environment and in the forest-based ecosystems throughout much of Canada. Nipissing University students with a wide range of interests (such as forestry, ecology, biology, botany, natural resources, environmental science, and business) will find this course extremely valuable.

The forestry sector is forecasting a critical shortage of certified forestry professionals. In Ontario, only Lakehead University offers a forestry program at the undergraduate level. This course will be an attractive option for fulltime students and members of the workforce seeking to expand or upgrade their skills and knowledge for professional certification (e.g. PRF – Professional Registered Forester (PRF) or Certified Tree Marker). This course will be a core component of a proposed Certificate in Forest Resource Management and Conservation. The Certificate will offer added value to students in the Biology or Environmental Biology and Technology programs.

C) Resources Required:

None.

D) Comparative Data: (Strongly recommended but not required)

Please list course numbers and titles. Course descriptions are NOT necessary.

University / Equivalent Course(s) and Titles / Non-Equivalent but 50% or more overlap
Brock / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Carleton / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Guelph / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Lakehead / Natural Resources Management 2330 Silviculture I / Click here to enter text.
Laurentian / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
McMaster / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
OCAD / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Ottawa / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Queen’s / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Toronto / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Trent / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Waterloo / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Western / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Wilfrid Laurier / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Windsor / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
York / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.

MOTION #14

That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive the addition of BIOL 2447 – Ecology of Ontario Trees and Forests to the Academic Calendar.

A) Descriptive Data:

Course Code / BIOL 2447
Course Title / Ecology of Ontario Trees and Forests
Course Credits / 3 credits6 credits Other Click here to specify
Course Description / Students examine the ecological requirements of important trees species in Ontario forests. Life history strategies; light, moisture and nutrient needs; and adaptations to stress, disturbance and competition are considered in relation to the physical, chemical and biotic characteristics of forest ecosystems and the management of forest resources.
Course Prerequisite / BIOL 1007
Course Corequisite / Click here to enter Course Corequisite
Antirequisite / Click here to enter Antirequisite
Restriction / Click here to enter Restriction
Instructional Method /  lecture
laboratory work
private study
 seminar
 practical work
independent study /  tutorial
studio work
 service learning
 clinical practice
online delivery
Hours of contact time
expected per week / 3 hours per week
Hours of contact time
expected per term / 36
Program Implications / Does this course have program implications?
Yes No
If yes, please specify:
Course Grouping
or Stream / Does this course belong to a Group or Stream?
 Yes No
If yes, please specify: click here to specify
Cross-Listing /  Cross-Listed - this course may be credited towards
Click here to enter cross-listing information
Learning Outcomes
(6-8 points, visible, measurable and in active voice) / Students who successfully complete this course will demonstrate:
1) A comprehensive knowledge of the major physical, chemical and biotic characteristics of forest ecosystems;
2) The ability to identify major groups of woody plants including important local tree species;
2) A knowledge of the ecological processes that affect distribution and abundance of trees in forest communities;
4) Knowledge of tree utilization by wildlife and humans;
5) The ability to properly collect and prepare plants for a herbarium collection;
6) The ability to relate the ecological characteristics of tree speciesto forest management goals;
7) Team building skills and civic-mindedness.

B) Statement of Need:

Ecology of Ontario Trees and Forests covers important topics related to the understanding of ecological requirements of individual tree species, the structure and function of forest ecosystems and forest renewal. This course therefore provides valuable background knowledge needed to employ best practices in managing forest resources. Nipissing University students with a wide range of interests (such as forestry, ecology, biology, botany, natural resources, environmental science, and business) will find this course extremely valuable. It provides the necessary background to understand the material presented in BIOL 3447 – Silviculture.

Furthermore, the forestry sector is forecasting a critical shortage of certified forestry professionals. In Ontario, only Lakehead University offers a forestry program at the undergraduate level. This course will be an attractive option for fulltime students and members of the workforce seeking to expand or upgrade their skills and knowledge for professional certification (e.g. PRF – Professional Registered Forester (PRF) or Certified Tree Marker). This course will be a core component of a proposed Certificate in Forest Resource Management and Conservation. The Certificate will offer added value to students in the Biology or Environmental Biology and Technology programs.

C) Resources Required:

None.

D) Comparative Data: (Strongly recommended but not required)

Please list course numbers and titles. Course descriptions are NOT necessary.

Note: The only undergraduate forestry program in Ontario is offered at Lakehead University

University / Equivalent Course(s) and Titles / Non-Equivalent but 50% or more overlap
Brock / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Carleton / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Guelph / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Lakehead / Natural Resources Management 2210 Forest Ecology and Silvics
Laurentian / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
McMaster / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
OCAD / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Ottawa / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Queen’s / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Toronto / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Trent / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Waterloo / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Western / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Wilfrid Laurier / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Windsor / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
York / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.