FE
FOREST ENGINEERING
Note: See beginning of Section H for abbreviations, course numbers and coding.
CORE COURSES
FE 1611
Engineered Systems in Natural Resources
3 ch (2C 2L)
This course introduces students to the design process when designing structures and
developing production processes associated with natural resources and the environment.
Structures examined may include forest roads, small water management structures such as
culverts and earthen dams, retaining walls, and landfills. Production processes may include
forest harvesting, mineral extraction, and factory activities such as wood processing and
seedling production. Impacts of engineered structures and production on the natural
environment and ways to mitigate these effects are essential elements of these design
processes.
FE 2113
Introduction to Forest Wildlife Ecology
3 ch (3C)
Introduces an ecological approach to considering impacts of engineering structures on forest
ecosystems and the major groups of wildlife inhabiting forests. Emphasizes interdependence
of forest organisms and the terrestrial and aquatic components of their environment,
especially in the context of industrial forestry.
FE 2703
Forest Operations Concepts
3 ch (2C 3L)
An introduction to the major tree harvesting concepts relating to wood procurement in
eastern Canada. Emphasizes the felling, off-road transfer and processing functions which
are carried out prior to delivery of wood in various forms to the forest products industry.
Representative machines are discussed as to their application within the concepts being
considered. Normally taken by students in their second year.
FE 2803
Wood Technology
3 ch (2C 3L)
Molecular, cell wall and anatomical structure of wood. Relative density, dimensional changes
and moisture effects. Measuring industrial wood products (for example pulpwood, sawlogs,
chips, pulp and lumber). Wood biodeterioration.
FE 3033
Analysis of Structures
3 ch (2C 2T)
The fundamentals of structural engineering are addressed. Activities build intuitive
understanding of relationships between geometric form and how internal forces created by
external loads flow through components and systems, and how systems can deform and
fail. Exercises are structured to promote learning of structural analysis without dependence
on commercial tools. Prerequisite: CE 2023 .
FE 3143
Natural Resource Geotechnique I
4 ch (3C 3L)
The fundamentals of low volume resource road layout and design are covered: evaluation of
existing road networks, layout of new networks including detailed road alignment, testing
and interpretation of construction related soil properties, design of subbase, base, and side
slopes, development of road maintenance strategies, impact assessment of resource roads
Prerequisites: GEOL 1001 , 1026 , CE 2023 and either CE 2703 or CHE 2703 .
FE 3233
Introduction to Operations Research
3 ch (2C 3L)
This course introduces engineering students to operational research methods for solving
constrained planning problems. Topics include linear programming, integer programming,
mixed-integer programming, network models, and goal programming. Students learn to
create and solve mathematical programming models of production problems, with emphasis
on supply chain management problems in natural resource industries. They learn to
critically analyze assumptions that are inherent in modeling technology or in formulation,
and to accurately describe and interpret the essential elements of models. Prerequisites: CS
1003 or equivalent, and at least 60 ch of program credit hours completed.
FE 3303
Thermal Engineering
4 ch (3C 3*L)
Laws of thermodynamics, basic measurements. Heat transfer with applications to building
and pipe insulation and heat exchanger design. Fuels and their combustion. Internal
combustion engines. Laboratory work complements the foregoing and requires preparation
of comprehensive written reports. Prerequisites: MATH 1013 and either CE 2703 or CHE
2703 .
FE 3363
Machine Design I
3 ch (2C 3*L)
Use of electric resistance strain gauges to determine working stresses. Safety, stress
concentration and surface design factors. Static and dynamic working stresses. Fatigue
design. Application of the foregoing to the design of various components. Design of shafts
including critical speed considerations. Design of belt and roller chain power transmission
systems. Introduction to design of fluid power transmission systems. Prerequisites: CE
2023 and CHE 2501 .
FE 3433
Operations Research for Production Planning
3 ch (2C, 3L)
Stochastic simulation, inventory control, optimization and heuristics for production planning
and management. Topics include discrete event simulation using spreadsheets and
commercial software, optimization and heuristics applied to resource planning and
production planning, assembly line balancing, and production system assessment.
Prerequisites:STAT 2593 . Corequisites: FE 3233 or ME 3352 or equivalent.
FE 3603
Economic Decision-Making for Engineers
3 ch (3C)
Economic and financial decision tools and methods for engineers as managers. Major topics
include: time value of money calculations and applications; cost behaviours and
relationships; business structures, goals and financing; financial management and its
relationship to operations management; financial analysis for planning and control;
concepts of accounting; income tax impacts on decisions; equipment costing and
replacement analyses; capital budgeting and capital investment analysis.
FE 3773
Forest Operations Planning Project I
4 ch (2C 3L)
Principles of analysis and planning of industrial forest operations, focusing on harvesting,
wood transport and road construction. Students apply the knowledge and techniques from
previous forestry and engineering courses to the problems of planning and managing forest
operations. A case study approach is used. Prerequisites: FE 3233 , FE 2703 ,FOR 3005 , FE
3603 or equivalent.
FE 3853
Processing of Wood Products
3 ch (2C 3L)
Wood as an industrial material. Processing of wood to make traditional primary products
such as lumber and pulp; secondary products such as laminated products, construction
panels; modern structural composites. Emphasis is on manufacturing process,quality control
and applications of these products. Prerequisite: FE 2803 , or permission of instructor.
FE 4043
Structural Analysis and Design II
3 ch (2C 2T)
Design of structures used in natural environments and in support of natural resource
industries. Relationahips between structural form, material choices and performance of
structural systems are studied. Awareness of how to interpret and apply structural design
codes is built. Attention is given to the importance of three-dimensional behavior of
structural systems. Exercises apply what is learned in practical ways Prerequisite: FE
3033 .
FE 4893
Systems Design Project
4 ch (3C 2L)
Students will work in teams to design a forest harvesting or wood production system under
specified constraints, including raw material availability, end products, environmental
regulations and economics. In the development of a design solution, students will integrate
elements of human factors engineering, machine component design and selection, wood
products, operation research and economics. Prerequisites: FE 2703 , FE 3233 , FE
3363 , FE 3433 , FE 3603 , FE 3853 .
FE 4995
Structural Design of Forest Engineering Systems
6 ch (2C 2T)
Students will define, design, and defend the logic of structures used in forest and other
natural environments. Students will integrate elements of structural design with
environmental and economic risk assessment. Emphasis will be given to the use of project
layout tools (design of plans and profiles). Students will work in teams, develop a solution
strategy, and present a comprehensive solution orally and in writing. Prerequisites: Only for
students in the last two terms of the BScFE program.
ELECTIVE COURSES
FE 2001
Critical Analysis of Great Books for Natural Resource
Professionals I
1 ch (1C)
First in a series of 3 courses. Critical reading ability through level 2 is learned and
demonstrated through examination of ‘great’ contemporary books. These books increase
global awareness and provide various perspectives and insight into issues affecting society
and natural resources.
FE 3001
Critical Analysis of Great Books for Natural Resource
Professionals II
1 ch (1C)
Second in a series of 3 courses. Critical reading ability at level 3 is learned and
demonstrated through examination of ‘great’ contemporary books. These books increase
global awareness and provide various perspectives and insight into issues affecting society
and natural resources.
FE 3306
Photo-Interpretation for Engineers
3 ch (3L)
Landform recognition using aerial photographs for building roads, identifying drinkable
water sources, searching for waste storage areas and conducting forest operations. Choice
of web-based or lab-based instruction. Le cours est aussi disponible en français.
FE 3313
Introduction to Thermal Engineering**
3 ch (3C)
Topics covered include: laws of thermodynamics; measurement of temperature and
pressure using various methods; heat transfer by conduction, convection and radiation with
applications to buildings, piping storage tanks, heat exchangers and other industrial
equipment; characterization and combustion fuels; internal combustion engines; air
compressors. Prerequisites: MATH 1013 and either CE 2703 or CHE 2703 .** service
course.
FE 3873
Physical and Mechanical Properties of Wood (A)
3 ch (2C 3L)
Strength properties, thermal properties, electrical conductivity, the movement of moisture
in wood, effects of strength-reducing defects, stress grading, and processing parameters on
properties. Prerequisite: FE 3803 , or permission of instructor.
FE 4001
Critical Analysis of Great Books Natural Resource
Professionals III
1 ch (1C)
Third in a series of 3 courses. Critical reading ability at level 4 is learned and demonstrated
through examination of ‘great’ contemporary books. These books increase global awareness
and provide various perspectives and insight into issues affecting society and natural
resources.
FE 4622
Human Factors Engineering (Cross Listed: ME 4622)
3 ch (2C 3L)
An interdisciplinary study of the interaction of humans and their workspace. Physiological
principles of work and energy. Anthropometry. Biomechanics. The ergonomics of workspace
and job design. Fatigue. Work/rest schedules and nutrition. The physiological and
psychological effects on humans of noise, vibration, lighting, vision, and the workspace
environment. Lab periods include seminars and practical design exercises applying human
factors and ergonomic theory to workspace problems. Prerequisite: Restricted to students
with at least 120 credit hours.
FE 4623
Forest Operations Financial Management (O)
3 ch (2C 2L)
A course designed to familiarize students with the fundamentals of financial management in
industrial settings. Deals with the concepts and principles of accounting, the use of
accounting information, financial analysis, the management of assets, capital budgeting and
the design of financial information systems. Case studies are used to illustrate concepts and
techniques and their relevance to engineers and foresters.
FE 4783
Forest Operations Planning Project II
4 ch (2C 3L)
Advanced analysis and integrated long, medium and short-term planning of all major
elements of contemporary industrial forest operations: harvesting, wood transport, road
construction and maintenance, stand establishment and other support functions. Students
must demonstrate the ability to integrate and apply forestry, engineering and forest
engineering knowledge and techniques from previous courses to the problems of planning
and managing operations constrained by the requirement for sustainable, multi-objective
natural resource management. A team-taught, case study approach is used.
Prerequisites: FOR 3005 , FOR 3006 , FE 3773 .
FE 5143
Natural Resources Geotechnique II (A)
4 ch (3C 3L)
Extension of work in FE 3143 to more complex problems, including: consideration of
retaining structures, slope stability, deep foundations, geosynthetics, aggregate test
methods and specifications, and structural design of access roads. Prerequisite: FE 3143 , or
permission of the instructor. (Technical elective offered alternate years, usually alternating
withFE 5761 . Packages selected geotechnical topics of relevance to construction of resource
access roads.)
FE 5252
Forest Operations Research II
3 ch (2C 3L)
During the two-hour lecture period, attention is focused on problem formulation and the
application of operations research techniques to Forest Engineering problems. The two-hour
tutorial period is devoted to wood inventory problems, selecting and scheduling tree
harvesting machines by linear programming, production studies by multiple regression and
monogram techniques and some applications in dynamic programming. Prerequisite: FE
3233
FE 5373
Machine Design II (O)
4 ch (3C
3*L)
Design and application of open and closed loop fluid power systems, bearings, clutches,
brakes, threaded fasteners and other machine elements. Laboratory exercises deal with
design and operation of fluid power circuits. Prerequisite: FE 3363.
FE 5612
Industrial Engineering
3 ch (2C 3L)
Economic geography. Plant location analysis. Plant layout and facilities planning. Machine
management and maintenance engineering. Work measurement: work standards, time
study, work sampling, predetermined time/motion systems. Methods engineering. Lab
periods include seminar, industrial visits and practical exercises applying IE theory to
engineering problems. Prerequisite: Restricted to students with at least 120 credit hours.
FE 5761
Transportation of Forest Products
3 ch (2C 2L)
Transportation of forest products from roadside to mill, including, (i) government
regulations, (ii) roadway characteristics: route location, forest road classification, and
geometric design, and (iii) vehicle characteristics: gradability, power requirements, and
scheduling. Emphasizes trucking, but includes a discussion of the rail and water modes of
raw forest product transportation. Prerequisites: : APSC 1023 . Restricted to students with
at least 100 credit hours.
FE 5863
Wood Structures (A)
3 ch (2C 2T)
Design, construction and maintenance of bridges and low- and medium-rise buildings that
employ wood as a primary stuctural material. Emphasis on meeting performance objectives
related to strength, serviceability and durability. Prerequisite: FE 3033 or CE 3033 .
FE 5873
Performance of Structural Wood Systems (A)
3 ch (2C 3L)
Creep, connections, wood-framed construction, light frame trusses, fire performance, builtup components, preserved wood foundation, glulam structures, maintenance and inspection
techniques. Prerequisite: FE 3873 , or permission of instructor.
FE 5910
Directed Studies in Forest Engineering
3-6 ch
In special cases, and with the approval of the Faculty a student may carry on directed
studies of specific problems in Forest Engineering.
FE 5911
Directed Studies in Forest Engineering
3-6 ch
In special cases, and with the approval of the Faculty a student may carry on directed
studies of specific problems in Forest Engineering.
FE 5912
Directed Studies in Forest Engineering
3-6 ch
In special cases, and with the approval of the Faculty a student may carry on directed
studies of specific problems in Forest Engineering.
FE 5990
Project Report
6 ch [W]
In this course, a student identifies a forest engineering subject of interest and submits a
project proposal to the Instructor. Once the proposal is approved, the student must
research the subject, submit an extensive formal written technical report and make an oral
presentation on the project. Prerequisite: Only for senior students in the last two terms of
the BScFE program.