This course will expose students to the field of physical hydrology in the forest ecosystem. Detail discussion on the water cycle components will help students to understand the importance of each process involved, and able to apply the knowledge further in the management of forest or specifically in water catchment area. Students will also be taught how to do hydrological data observation for example, rainfall, interception, infiltration, evaporation and river discharge. Other topics that will also be discussed are variation in the weather, climate change, monitoring and water quality analyses and human impacts on hydrological regime.

This course discusses the interaction between plants, soils and crops. Students will be exposed on agroforestry systems that involve sharing space below ground and above ground. Trees and plants interact in various ways, including positive and negative interaction effect on the growth of both trees and crops. This course will also discuss the processes involved such as the cycle of soil organic matter, nutrients and water. Practical and appropriate site visit will be conducted.

Forest products are traded in local and international markets. This course will equip students with the theory, benefits, and importance of tropical timber trade.

Wood processing covers the use of wood as raw material that is processed to become sawn timber, finger-jointed timber, laminated board, wood composite, door frame, door and other solid wood products. This course also covers the technique in calculating log volume, timber volume and wood machining. Usage and maintenance of equipments in processing of wood are briefly discussed. The course also emphasis on the important factors considered in processing which are characteristics and processing technology of wood.

The practical in this course generates technical skills to students on wood machining and processing techniques, correct usage and maintenance of equipments. Visit to wood processing mills will be conducted to expose the students to the working environment outside class.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Explain the methods of wood processing;
• Discuss the usage and conduct maintenance of equipments used in wood processing;
• Apply the methods learnt in wood processing.