Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can enroll?
- Are there any prerequisites?
- When is the course offered?
- How much does the course cost?
- Do you accept credit cards?
- Where do I send the registration fee when enrolling by mail?
- What information is covered by the course?
- How is the information presented?
- How long does the course take to complete?
- How long does it take to complete a unit?
- How do I know if I am falling behind or when to return my answers?
- Can you earn college credit for this course?
- Who sponsors the General Forestry Course?
- Are there classes held at a university or other location?
- What if I need help? Where do I get assistance?
- Where can I get more information?
Anyone. This is a great course for someone who knows little or nothing about forestry, and you don’t even have to own a forest to participate. The course is designed for individuals who want to increase their knowledge of forestry and forest management. Although the course targets Maryland forest landowners and several chapters focus on Maryland, the concepts apply across North America. Participants from as far abroad as Alaska, Texas, Maine, Florida, Arkansas, Georgia, California, and Manitoba have enjoyed this course.
No. However, you will need access to a forest as some assignments, such as tree identification, measuring tree diameters and heights, and bark rubbings are outside activities involving trees. Furthermore, you need a forest for designing the framework of a forest management plan, a course requirement.
Only the online version of the course will be offered for the Fall 2008 semester. The paper version will be offered at a future date.
When available, the same course is offered twice a year, in the spring (February 1-May 20) and in the fall (September 1-December 15).
How much does the course cost?
The registration fee is $300.00 before the course begins and late registration is $400.00 after the start of the course. The registration fee covers all the materials needed for the course, including: text and appendices; supplemental readings entitled A Sand County Almanac; American Forests: A History of Resilience And Recovery; The Woodland Steward: A Practical Guide to the Management of Small Private Forests; a small tree identification brochure-What Tree Is That?; and lesson quizzes.
That depends on your choice of registration. When registering for the course over the internet, most major credit cards are accepted. But, should you choose to mail in your registration fee, then we only accept a check or money order made out to University of Maryland.
Where do I send the registration fee when enrolling by mail?
You can print the mail-in registration form or provide your name, mailing address, email address, and phone number. Send the registration fee with your mail-in registration form to:
Professional StudiesAttn: Customer Service
University of Maryland2103 Reckord ArmoryCollege Park, Maryland 20742
For more information on course registration, refer to Course Registration Information.
What information is covered by the course?
This is a general forestry course and, as such, covers the many aspects of forestry. Some of the subjects discussed are forest history, policy and regulations, physiology, ecology and tree identification, forest health and protection from insects and disease, the use of fire, silviculture, forest inventory and harvesting techniques, management, the business of forestry, and much more.
How is the information presented?
There are two versions of the course materials available: the online version and the paper version. The online version of the course presents information electronically. The text consists of 26 lessons divided into six units. Over 50 resources are provided in the appendices. Hard copies of the supplemental readings as well as a self-addressed, stamped envelope for returning the management plan will be sent to all participants. A quiz follows each lesson. Answers to the lesson quizzes are submitted electronically. Those enrolled in the web-based version of the course will receive a copy of the course materials on a CD.
For information on the paper version, click on the following link (LINK currently not available).
How long does the course take to complete?
Participants are encouraged to complete the course work in approximately four months.
How long does it take to complete a unit?
Every unit is unique and completion time depends upon many variables. Each unit consists of three to six lessons, and one lesson may take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours to read. You may spend an hour on additional reading assignments. Some lessons require outside work, and the time needed to complete assignments requiring work in your forest will depend upon prior experience identifying tree species or using forest inventory techniques. For more detail, refer to Course Information.
How do I know if I am falling behind or when to return my answers?
A schedule is provided for submitting the answers to the unit questions. Participants are given approximately two weeks to read a unit, answer the questions, and return the answers electronically. The instructor corresponds with participants every few weeks to remind them of upcoming deadlines and to provide them with contact information. Participants can also contact the instructor anytime they have questions or concerns. Refer to What if I need help? located below.
Can you earn college credit for this course?
No. This is a non-credit course. Upon completing the work successfully, you will be awarded a certificate of completion.
Who sponsors the General Forestry Course?
The course is sponsored by University of Maryland Cooperative Extension.
Are there classes held at a university or other location?
No. There are no formal classes. Participants work from the convenience of their home and correspondence with the instructor through the postal service, electronic mail, telephone, or some other delivery service.
What if I need help? Where do I get assistance?
An instructor is available to answer questions, check your answers for accuracy, and provide comments and guidance. Office hours will be posted for online consultation. The instructor is also available by phone, mail, or email. Feel free to contact the instructor anytime you have questions or concerns. Contact information is available at Contact Us.
Where can I get more information about the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension or the forestry course?
Log onto University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Natural Resource web site at extension.umd.edu, phone Nancy Stewart at 410-827-8056, ext. 112, or email Nancy at nstewar1@umd.edu.
For more information, contact Nancy Stewart
Last updated: 07/24/2008