FOR 6281

FOR 6281 Advanced GIS in Forestry

Three (3) credit hours

The course introduces GIS forest inventory, mapping, and geoprocessing, along with advanced forest analysis techniques. The latter emphasize GIS methods for characterizing and reclassifying forests across an array of forestry applications, including assessing clearcutting activities and calculating forest values. The course uses the 1991 inventory for the UNB Woodlot and provincial data from the surrounding area. The course is web-based, without scheduled lectures or labs.

You'll learn advanced geoprocessing techniques using ArcGIS software and be able to:
    •    analyze forests using thematic and locational attribute queries and summary statistics
    •    characterize forests using numbers, numerical distributions and maps
    •    reclassify forests aspatially and spatially using thematic and locational attribute filtering
    •    employ arc-polygon topology in calculating edge lengths
    •    integrate data from online sources
    •    integrate GPS (global positioning system) data
    •    build a DEM (digital elevation model) from mass points
    •    delineate watersheds using a DEM
    •    calculate viewsheds using a DEM and vegetation heights

You'll be able to perform advanced GIS geoprocessing tasks, including:
    •    overlaying features - poly-on-poly, poly-on-line, poly-on-point
    •    implementing a spatial join
    •    buffering features to fixed and variable widths
    •    building a simple Visual Basic script
    •    compiling a summary table.
    •    building charts.
    •    accessing GIS data using Microsoft Excel
    •    calculating slope, aspect, and contours from a DEM
    •    complex 2D mapping and layout using ArcMap
    •    displaying data in 3D using ArcScence
    •    building a raster from a forest attribute
    •    reclassifying a raster
    •    performing simple map algebra
    •    calculating zonal and neighbourhood statistics
    •    measuring continuous distance.

Glen Jordan, RPF

You don't have to own a copy of ArcGIS; a student version is provided upon request, and may be installed on your personal computer.

The course is delivered online, including the final exam, via UNB's course delivery system (see learning.unb.ca). You'll complete a series of instructional modules and associated exercises, assignments, and quizzes using a web browser and ArcGIS 10.x on a computer running Windows, at home, at work, or at UNB. The course concludes with a three-hour online exam.

The course is comprised of two learning modules. The first module consists of ESRI's Virtual Campus course, Learning ArcGIS Desktop. This course involves several quizzes requiring an 80% score to pass. The second module, the Forestry Module, involves five lessons, Forest Inventory, Forest Mapping, Forest Analysis, Forest Harvesting, and Forest Values. These involve 25 exercises with assignments, five quizzes (minimum 80%), and three major assignments. Last, the final exam will be a 3 hour, must-pass, i.e. 50% must be achieved. The exam will involve two dozen or more questions, similar in type and complexity to those you experience in the forestry lessons. If you're an on-campus student, you'll write the exam in a computer lab on campus. If, on the other hand, you're a distance education student, you'll sit the exam at home or at work.

The course is graded as follows:
    •    The ESRI Learning ArcGIS Desktop course is worth 5%.
    •    The Forestry Module assignments and quizzes make up 45%.
    •    An open-book exam is worth the remaining 50%, but is a must-pass.

Click here to find more information on fees for this course.

Fees are subject to change by the Board of Governors.

Once you complete the Apply Now form below, please send payment. Methods of payment accepted:
Cash (Do not send in the mail. Please deliver to the College of Extended Learning, 2nd Level, Wu Centre, UNB Fredericton Campus)
Cheque or money order (Mail to UNB College of Extended Learning, PO Box 4400, Fredericton, New Brunswick, E3B 5A3)
MasterCard / VISA / American Express (Please call the College of Extended Learning at 1-866-599-4646  or 506 453-4646 with your credit card number, expiry date, and the name as it appears on the card. Please do not send credit card information via email).

Apply Now!