Fall Camp at Michigan Tech is a unique experience that blends classroom study with hands-on, field-based learning opportunities. This semester-long field practicum is designed for forestry and applied ecology students and promotes teamwork, increases competency in the woods, challenges you both mentally and physically, and prepares you for a career in forestry or applied ecology.

Mission Statement
The mission of the fall field practicum is to provide students with extensive knowledge of the elements of a forested landscape and the methods of quantification this landscape. These include not only trees and non-woody plants, but wildlife, fungi, and insects, in addition to the abiotic components such as soil, water, weather, and climate. Students in both degree programs become proficient in practical timber measurement and forest descriptive skills. . In the process of measuring and describing the forest, students will also gain insight into other forest values and ecological processes that are vital to the resource assessment and complete management of natural resources.

Forestry Fall Camp Course Descriptions
FW3010 Practice of Silviculture
Methods of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs and values of landowners and society on a sustainable basis. Prerequisites: FW2010 and FW2050.

FW3150 Timber Harvesting
Methods and techniques used in timber harvesting systems. Emphasizes best management practices and efficient allocation of resources in logging. Prerequisite: FW2050.

FW3170 Land Measurements and GPS
Basic field measurements and computations involved in determining direction, distance, and area. Covers the hand compass, pacing and use of global positioning systems, including differential correction. Explores integration of GPS and GIS data. Prerequisite: FW3540

FW3190 Multi-Resource Assessment
Students develop a basic proficiency in the application of multiple-resource measurement techniques, become familiar with the application of individual tree and landscape measurements, estimation of growth, sampling techniques, computational procedures, and mapping procedures commonly used in forest and land management. Prerequisites: FW2050, FW3020, MA2720.

FW3600 Wildlife Habitat
To understand the ecological basis for management of forest wildlife and how forest management influences wildlife populations. Laboratory includes an introduction to techniques in wildlife research and management, especially methods of habitat analysis. Prerequisite: junior standing.

FW3840 Forest Health
Drawing on examples from the Great Lakes region, and other parts of North American, this course will consider which type of insects and pathogens attack our trees and forests, how they interact with each other, and what tools we can use to effectively reduce their negative impacts of forest pests. Prerequisites: FW3020

Applied Ecology & Wildlife Ecology Fall Camp Course Descriptions
FW3012 Survey of Silviculture
An introduction to the practice of silviculture, including ecological principles, which form the basis for forest management. The course emphasizes proper use of silviculture terminology, and includes field examples of management practices.

FW3170 Land Measurements and GPS
Basic field measurements and computations involved in determining direction, distance, and area. Covers the hand compass, pacing and use of global positioning systems, including differential correction. Explores integration of GPS and GIS data. Prerequisite: FW3540

FW3180 - Geomorphology, Landscapes and Ecosystems
Provides basic understanding of the geologic and glacial processes that shaped the landscape of the Upper Midwest influencing the distribution and productivity of modern-day plant communities. Topics include geology of Michigan, glacial geomorphology, soil development, landscape and community ecology, and forestry.

FW3190 Multi-Resource Assessment
Students develop a basic proficiency in the application of multiple-resource measurement techniques, become familiar with the application of individual tree and landscape measurements, estimation of growth, sampling techniques, computational procedures, and mapping procedures commonly used in forest and land management. Prerequisites: FW2050, FW3020, MA2720.

FW3600 Wildlife Habitat
Understand the ecological basis for management of forest wildlife and how forest management influences wildlife populations. Laboratory introduces techniques in wildlife research and management, especially methods of habitat analysis. Prerequisite: junior standing

FW3800 Insect Ecology
Insects are widespread and diverse components of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This course will consider aspects of insect ecology, including bio-diversity and conservation of insects, the effects of biotic and abiotic factors on insect populations, and the trophic diversity of insects.

FW3840 Forest Health
Drawing on examples from the Great Lakes region, and other parts of North American, this course will consider which type of insects and pathogens attack our trees and forests, how they interact with each other, and what tools we can use to effectively reduce their negative impacts of forest pests. Prerequisites: FW3020

2011 IFP Information Packet


Last update: March 17, 2011