Jay Wason – Courses

Current courses

SFR 100 – Introduction to Forest Biology

  • Catalog description: Introductory concepts related to forest plants, animals, environment and ecology.
  • Why take this course?

Are you curious about how forests work — from the tiniest plant cell to the towering trees that shape entire ecosystems? SFR 100 offers a dynamic introduction to the living world, focusing on the biology of plants, forests, and the environments they support.

This course is perfect if you want an engaging introduction to biology without committing to the traditional BIO 100/200 two-semester sequence. It’s required for many SFR majors but open to all students interested in the natural world.

We’ll explore biology across scales — from molecular processes like photosynthesis to ecosystem carbon dynamics and species interactions. Along the way, you’ll build a foundation that connects to broader studies in environmental science, ecology, and resource management.

Take SFR 102 too to fulfill your Basic or Applied Sciences Lab requirement.

  • Course Typically Offered: Spring every year
  • Credits: 3
  • Core Curriculum/Core Requirements: Lab in the Basic or Applied Sciences requirement when taken with SFR 102.

SFR 102 – Structure and Function of Woody Plants Laboratory

  • Catalog description: Introductory concepts on the anatomy and structure of woody plants with an emphasis on the relationship between form and function.
  • Why take this course?

Get hands-on experience exploring how trees and woody plants are built and how they function in the natural world. In SFR 102, you’ll:

    • Examine plant anatomy under the microscope
    • Conduct lab experiments to understand how plants function
    • Complete a semester-long research project

Whether you’re taking SFR 100 or coming in with your own curiosity, this 1-credit lab gives you practical insights into topics like tree growth, wood structure, photosynthesis, and how drought stress affects trees. Weekly in-lab exercises and short homework assignments provide plenty of active learning — without the burden of long weekly lab reports!

This course is required for many SFR majors but open to students from any major interested in the biology of trees. Take it and SFR 100 to satisfy the Basic or Applied Sciences Lab requirement.

  • Course Typically Offered: Spring every year
  • Credits: 1
  • Core Curriculum/Core Requirements: Lab in the Basic or Applied Sciences requirement when taken with SFR 100.

SFR 439/539 – Biology of Woody Plants

  • Catalog description: Advanced topics in woody plant biology including growth, development, and reproduction.  Emphasis on forest tree biology and tree responses to abiotic stressors.
  • Why take this course?

Ever wondered how trees live for centuries, survive harsh climates, or shape entire ecosystems? SFR 439/539 dives deep into the fascinating biology of woody plants — exploring how they grow, reproduce, and respond to environmental challenges such as drought and temperature extremes.

This engaging course is ideal if you’re looking for another plant science option, or if you simply want to understand what makes trees unique among living organisms. We’ll go beyond the basics to examine the physiological and structural traits that allow woody plants to thrive across the planet.

Expect a mix of lectures, interactive discussions, and low-stakes hands-on activities that bring plant biology concepts to life. The course is open to both undergraduate (439) and graduate (539) students — with graduate-level expectations adjusted accordingly.

  • Prerequisites: BIO 200 or SFR 100 or PSE 100
  • Course Typically Offered: Fall even years
  • Credits: 3

SFR 520 – Tree Physiology

  • Catalog description: Topics in tree physiology including carbon, nutrient, and water relations. Emphasis on plant structure-function relationships and responses to abiotic stress. Includes a mix of lecture and hands-on lab activities.
  • Why take this course?

Understanding how trees function is essential for anyone studying forest ecosystems, plant biology, or climate impacts. SFR 520 provides an in-depth exploration of the physiological processes that sustain tree growth and survival — from photosynthesis and carbon allocation to water and nutrient transport.

Designed for graduate students in forestry, ecology, and related fields, this course blends lecture, lab work, and hands-on research experiences. You’ll gain practical experience with physiological measurement techniques and data interpretation, helping you confidently apply these methods in your own research.

Whether your work intersects with plant stress physiology, forest management, or global change biology, this course will help you connect theory to practice and build a deeper understanding of how trees function in a changing world.

  • Course Typically Offered: Fall odd years
  • Credits: 3

Past courses

SFR 521 – Research Methods

  • Provides graduate students with the fundamental research skills needed to successfully prepare for their thesis research, as well as professional careers in scientific research. Students learn how to plan, write, and critique scientific research proposals. Instruction focuses on direct, hands-on learning by writing a proposal that can serve as a student’s graduate thesis research proposal. Students learn to pose relevant, interesting, and researchable questions; design testable hypotheses; develop research goals and objectives; and apply critical thinking skills to design appropriate research methods. Key elements of research planning include funding, project management, responsible conduct in research, and journal publications are covered. Graduate students taking this course will meet the University of Maine’s requirement for Responsible Conduct in Research training.
  • Credits: 3