Stephen Shaler – Courses
SFR 103 – Introduction to Forest Resource Professions, Syllabus
Introduction and overview of global, North American, and Maine forest resources, current and historical use by humans, history of forest regulation and policy, forest stewardship and land ethics, measurement and economics of forest resources, history and development of forest resource professions, and career options and professional societies in forest resources. Course may have field trips during class times.
Course Typically Offered: Fall
Credits: 1
SFR 120 – Understanding Wood, Syllabus
Laboratory based hands-on course provides experience in the selection, planning, and implementation of woodworking projects. Students learn principles of safe operation of power and hand tools, basic wood material properties related to machining, and the fundamentals of wood gluing and finishing. Student projects will require additional time during scheduled woodshop hours.
Course Typically Offered: Spring, Even Years
Credits: 1
SFR 521 – Research Methods in Forest Resources
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. Instructions 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.
Prerequisites & Notes: permission.
Credits: 3
SFR 531 – Mechanics of Wood and Wood Composites, Syllabus
Application of orthotropic and nonlinear constitutive relations, laminate theory, and failure criterion on the prediction of mechanical properties of solid wood, wood fibers, laminated, and other wood composite materials.
Prerequisites & Notes: SFR 425 or equivalent or permission.
Credits: 3