FTC-Forest Technology
Course Descriptions

FTC 101. Trigonometry for Natural Resource Technicians (3)
Forty hours of lecture and sixteen hours of recitation conducted
over a four-week period. A review of selected geometry and algebra topics, and an introduction to trigonometry and its applications. Emphasis on pythagorean therom, quadratic equations, rectangular coordinate systems, right triangle trigonometry, oblique triangle trigonometry, the Law of Sines, the Law of Cosines and the graphing of trigonometric functions. Graphic calculator required. Summer.

FTC 105. Tree and Forest Biology (4)
A four-week summer program having forty-five hours of lecture and forty-five hours of lab. An introduction to the biology of trees and the diversity of animal life commonly found in forests. Field labs concentrate on biological relationships in Adirondack forests. Summer.
Pre- or co-requisite(s): Four credits in biology.

FTC 200. Dendrology (3)
Thirty-eight hours of lecture, 40 hours of field lab. A study of the distinguishing characteristics, growth features, distribution, site associations, commercial importance, and natural history of the major tree species of North America. Students will learn to identify forest species by both common and scientific names, from leaf, twig, or bark samples. Students learn seasonal field identification skills and see the habitats, associates, and place in succession of the predominant forest tree, shrub and herbaceous species in the Adirondack region. A number of exotic species will also be introduced. Fall.

FTC 202. Introduction to Surveying (4)
Fifty hours of lecture and 52 hours of field and laboratory time. An introduction to the theory and practice of plane surveying. Emphasis is on developing individual skills through small crew projects and handling typical surveying equipment in typical field situations. Lecture topics include the theory of measurements and errors, mathematics for plane surveying, introduction to field problems, introduction to map use and preparation, U.S. Public Land Survey System, and concepts of deed descriptions and record-keeping procedures. Students tour the record room at the county courthouse. Field projects include traversing, using forester’s and engineer’s tools and methods, mapping using field and office methods, and proficiency projects in handling typical surveying instruments. Fall.

FTC 204. Introduction to Forest Measurements and Statistics (4)
Sixty hour of lecture and 45 hours of field and laboratory time. A study of the tools and techniques used to measure primary forest products and inventory forest resources. Timber and wildlife habitat measurements are stressed, as is the professional presentation of forest inventory data in the form of technical reports. Various forest sampling and statistical methods are used and compared. Students participate in several field-oriented, hands-on exercises that reinforce the concepts and skills. Fall.
Pre- or co-requisites: FTC 200, FTC 202, FTC 208.

FTC 206. Forest Ecology (4)
Fifty-one hours of lecture and 53 ours of field time. Study of climate and soil factors and how these factors affect individual trees and the interaction of both within the forest community and the forest eco-system. Competition between forest species is covered in detail. The course introduces students to cover type mapping. Students present a detailed analysis of a forest transect in both written and oral form. Fall.

FTC 208. Spatial Analysis of Forest Resources (5)
Sixty-two hours of lecture and sixty-five hours of laboratory/field study. An introduction to computers and computer software commonly used in forestry and surveying. Interpreting ground features from aerial photographs. Making horizontal measurements from photographs. Producing maps using digital photo mapping software. Reading and interpreting maps and route surveys. Drafting skills are developed. Students must complete each unit within the course. Fall.

FTC 210. Leadership and Forest Technology (4)
Forty-two hours of lecture and 58 hours of laboratory time. Provides students with technical competence and decision-making abilities. Students receive training in the proper use, design, construction and maintenance of forest hand tools, chainsaws, and skidding equipment. Maps and route surveys, trail development, first aid and CPR are covered. Students learn about company and agency organization;
the selection, placement, training, and evaluation of workers; managing crews and the techniques of foremanship; and human relations in the workplace, with emphasis on the special personnel problems of the forest and surveying industry. Safety hazards and the prevention, classification, and reporting of accidents are covered. A student must satisfactorily complete each unit within the course to receive a passing grade. Fall.

FTC 211. Silviculture (5)
Sixty hours of lecture and 80 hours of field laboratories. An intro-duction to silviculture and water resources management. In silvi-culture students learn about the regeneration and tending of forest stands, study the used various silvicultural treatments used in the Northeast, and are introduced to silvicultural systems in other major forest regions. Lectures and field labs in water resources cover measurements taken at weather stations, snow courses, stream-gauging stations, and other stream sample points. The hydrologic cycle, concept of flow, and the water balance equation are studied in detail. Students learn the forest management practices used to control erosion and water quality. A student must satisfactorily complete both units within the course to receive a passing grade. Spring.

FTC 213. Forest Inventory Practicum (2)
Six hours of lecture and 64 hours of field and laboratory time. In this course a practical field problem requires students to use professional methods of collecting, analyzing and presenting forest resources inventory data. Inventory of the timber resource and the development of a forest type map are emphasized. Spring.
Pre- or co-requisite: FTC 204.

FTC 215. Timber Harvesting, Transportation, and Utilization (5)
Fifty-eight hours of lecture and 88 hours of laboratory. Acquaints the student with the basic harvesting methods and techniques, with emphasis on the Northeast, and explains how harvesting fits in with other forest uses. Students gain technical competence in timber sale contract administration and basic timber appraisal. Students also learn to administer, locate, design, construct and maintain a forest gravel road. Covers the various tissues of forest trees and how their growth and development are affected by internal and external factors. Differences in stem structure of the important commercial tree species are studied in the laboratory and then related to commercial uses of the wood. Spring.
Pre- or co-requisites: FTC 208, FTC 210.

FTC 217. Forest Protection (5)
Sixty-one hours of lecture and 44 hours of field instruction covers insects, tree diseases, and fire. Tree diseases are identified and impacts within the forest community discussed. Tree damaging insects are observed and pest management measures introduced. Fire ecology, behavior, prevention, and control are addressed. DEC-administered Federal Work Capacity Tests certify “Red Card” qualification. Spring.
Prerequisite(s): FTC 200, FTC 204, FTC 206, FTC 208, FTC 210.

FTC 219. Introduction to Wildlife and Recreation Management (4)
Forty hours of lecture and 58 hours of field and laboratory time. Study of forest wildlife and recreation resources, their importance
to humans, and the basic history, concepts and principles of wildlife management and forest recreation management. Technical aspects
of managing wildlife and recreation resources to be emphasized include the field identification of bird and amphibian sounds, the development of environmental interpretation programs, trail and camp-ground layout and construction, and resource inventory techniques. Students improve their communication skills by presenting papers and speeches on wildlife and recreation topics. Spring.

FTC 221. Forest Management (3)
Thirty-eight hours of lecture and 48 hours of laboratory and field-work. Addresses the common problems met in organizing a forest property to best meet the goals of ownership. Techniques of growth and resource monitoring and the gathering and use of forest records are stressed. Examples and case studies of forest manage-ment and production activities are presented. A final project involves the application of information from many other FTC courses in a plan of management activities for an assigned forest property. Spring.
Pre- or co-requisites: FTC 204, FTC 206.

FTC 223. Introduction to Water Resources (1)
Ten hours of lecture and sixteen hours of laboratory time. An introduction to water resources covering measurements taken at weather stations, snow courses, stream-gauging stations and other stream sample points. The hydrologic cycle, concept of flow and the water balance question are studied in detail. Students learn the management practices used to control erosion and water quality. Spring.
Prerequisite: FTC 202.

FTC 251. Advanced Surveying Measurements
and Computations (5)
Fifty-five hours of lecture and 60 hours of field and laboratory time. Advanced survey measurements and computational techniques including traverse calculations, rectangular coordinates, statistical analysis of surveying data, state plane coordinates, meridian deter-mination, partition of land, trigonometric leveling and horizontal control are explored. Students will make the necessary surveying measurements in the field and be expected to complete various surveying measurements using a programmable calculator and computer. Spring.
Pre- or co-requisite: FTC 202.

FTC 253. Survey Law (3)
Thirty-five hours of lecture and 30 hours field and laboratory time.
A study of the methods of record room research, boundary line establishment by written and unwritten methods, case and statute law related to property surveying, registration of surveyors, liability of surveyors and professionalism. Spring.
Pre- or co-requisite: FTC 202.

FTC 255. Boundary Surveying (3)
Thirty hours of lecture and 45 hours of field and laboratory time.
A study of the procedures necessary to conduct a retracement survey including preliminary office procedures, field practices, and preparation of final survey documents. Students will complete a retracement survey and use the compiled data in a mock trial. Spring.
Pre- or co-requisite: FTC 253.

FTC 257. Construction and Topographic Surveys (3)
Twenty-five hours of lecture and 60 hours of field and laboratory time. A study of the various methods and techniques used to perform construction and topographic surveys and develop topographic maps. Theory, mathematics and layout of circular, spiral and vertical curves will be covered. Layout of various construction projects including buildings, roads, pipelines and bridges will be discussed. Earthwork, slope staking, and cross-section calculations will also be covered. Students complete a topographic mapping project and develop maps both by hand and by computer-aided drafting techniques. Spring.

FTC 259. Introduction to Computer Aided Drafting and Design (4)
Fifty hours of lecture and 60 hours of field and laboratory time. An introduction to the concepts and procedures of using autoCAD in conjunction with surveying programs to produce boundary, topo-graphic and construction survey maps. Significant laboratory time dedicated to hands-on experience with software and hardware. Spring.

FTC 298. Independent Study in Forest Technology (1-6)
Independent study in forest technology to apply, enhance or supplement forest technology or related natural resource education. Objectives and scope of the project are negotiated in a learning contract between the student and instructor(s), with course admission based on permission of the instructor(s). Limited to those who have attended the complete regular SFT program, or those who have graduated from another forest technology program or a related natural resource program, or to students enrolled in any ESF program other than of the SFT. A maximum of 6 credit hours may be taken by any student in total. Semesters as arranged. Fall, Spring or Summer.