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Mt. Hood Community College Mt. Hood Community College Mt. Hood Community College

  • Natural Resources Technology: Forest Resources Curriculum

  • Limited Entry
    Associate of Applied Science Degree Program

    Catalog Year 2017-2018

    The Natural Resources Technology program, Forest Resources option, prepares students for positions of technical responsibility in natural resources management and research. Forest technicians serve in a wide variety of capacities and may work in such diverse areas as reforestation, mapping, vegetation inventory, outdoor recreation, timber appraisal, land surveying, harvesting, stream surveys, wildlife habitat enhancement and wildlife suppression. The Forest Resources option is accredited by the Society of American Foresters.

    Outdoor labs are an integral part of the coursework. Students learn practical field techniques necessary for employment in local forests, parks and natural areas. The courses incorporate technologically advanced equipment and software into the field data collection and analysis. In addition, each student completes a cooperative work internship, which gives college credit for on-the-job work experience.

    Program Outcomes

    At the completion of this program, students should be able to:

    • Perform relevant field tasks required of natural resource technicians
    • Use a broad range of technological tools to research, document, map, measure, record and analyze data relevant to natural resources
    • Demonstrate a practical understanding of Pacific Northwest forest ecosystems
    • Demonstrate knowledge of social influences on ecosystem management
    • Demonstrate professional skills needed for successful job performance.

    Students desiring to enter the Natural Resources Technology program are advised that admission is on a first-come, first-served basis after satisfactory completion of placement criteria. Application packets are available on our web site at www.mhcc.edu/NRT. Once you have read the application packet, if you have questions about the admission process, please call 503-491-7165.

    Selected courses may be transferred to several four-year institutions in appropriate bachelor degree programs. Check with the program adviser for current information.

    First Quarter (Fall)
    Course Number
    Course Title
    Credits
    BT210ZE Excel – Level I5
    (1)
    F111 Introduction to Natural Resources
    3
    F141 Tree and Shrub Identification
    3
    HPE285OL Wilderness Survival2,3
    3
    MTH060 Beginning Algebra I4
    4
    NR160 Wildland Fire
    3
    16-17
    Second Quarter (Winter)
    Course Number
    Course Title
    Credits
    FT122 Forest Measurements I
    5
    FW251 Principles of Wildlife Conservation
    3
    MTH065 Beginning Algebra II (or higher)5
    4
    NR180 Career Development in Natural Resources1
    1
    WR121 English Composition
    4
    17
    Third Quarter (Spring)
    Course Number
    Course Title
    Credits
    FT221 Aerial Photo Interpretation and GPS
    4
    MTH084 Applied Trigonometry with Modeling5
    1
    NR140 Introduction to Forest Soils
    3
    NR144 Forest Insects and Diseases
    3
    NR230 Forest Botany
    3
    14
    Fourth Quarter (Fall)
    Course Number
    Course Title
    Credits
    F200 Introduction to Forest Surveying
    4
    F240 Natural Resources Ecology
    4
    FT222 Forest Measurements II
    4
    WR227 Technical Report Writing
    4
    16
    Fifth Quarter (Winter)
    Course Number
    Course Title
    Credits
    FT228 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
    3
    NR212 Current Issues in Forest Resources
    1
    NR242 Watershed Processes
    3
    NR244 Applied Silviculture I: Reforestation
    3
    Human Relations requirement6
    3-4
    13-14
    Sixth Quarter (Spring)
    Course Number
    Course Title
    Credits
    FT235 Outdoor Recreation
    3
    FW254 Aquatic Wildlife: Biology and Techniques or
    Related elective
    3-4
    NR238 Timber Harvesting and Products
    5
    NR246 Applied Silviculture II: Forest Stand Dynamics
    3
    WE280NR_ Cooperative Education Internship7
    2
    16-17
    Total Credits 92-95

    1Students are expected to use Excel spreadsheets in their NRT courses. Those unfamiliar with spreadsheets are advised to enroll in an Excel course before first or second quarter.
    2 Students wishing to transfer may select HPE295.
    3 Although HPE285OL is recommended, students who do not plan to transfer to a four-year school may also select any three credits of HE, PE or HPE.
    4 Students placing into MTH065 are not required to take MTH060, but must replace MTH060 with another course to meet the 90 credits required for the AAS degree.
    5A College Placement Test (CPT) score does not fulfill this requirement. Students must successfully complete the required mathematics course (or higher.) Successful completion of MTH095 or higher will replace both MTH065 and MTH084.
    6 See Associate of Applied Science degree requirements, page 22. PSY101, HUM202 or BA285 are recommended. See adviser for transferability information.
    7 Cooperative Education students are encouraged to satisfy WE280NR_ during the summer between their first and second years.

    Related Electives
    The related elective is intended to provide enrichment in an area of interest to the student. In selecting a related elective, students should consult with their advisor to determine which course will best meet their academic and professional goals.

    Recommendations include :
    FT130 Introduction to Wildland Fire Suppression
    NR260 Field Projects

    Other recommendations also include a foreign language, and any courses with the following prefixes: ANTH, BA, BI, BT, CH, CIS, COMM, FW, ET, G, GEO, MTH095 or higher, NR, and SHS. See adviser for baccalaureate curriculum.

    Program Web Link: Natural Resources Technology at mhcc.edu/nrt

    Transfer School Web Links:
    Oregon State University - forestry.oregonstate.edu
    Humbolt State University - Humboldt.edu/fwr/
    University of Idaho – uidaho.edu