Conservation Law Enforcement Forestry Technology | Mississippi Community College Board

Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services

The Conservation Law Enforcement Technology pathway is an instructional program that prepares individuals for state or local governments, or on privately owned forests or nurseries. Included is instruction in natural science, applied dendrology, criminal justice, forest surveying, special problems in conservation law, silviture, and criminology.

Program CIP

03.0208

Published Year

2023

Published By

MCCB, Office of Curriculum and Instruction

Program Description

Conservation Law Enforcement Technology: Conservation Law Enforcement Technology is a two-year program of study that prepares the graduate for entry- level employment as a Conservation Law Enforcement Officer (game warden) in the state of Mississippi. The program blends technical courses in forestry and academic courses in criminal justice with other academic courses, including the core. The Associate of Applied Science degree is earned upon successful completion of the program. After successfully completing the program, the student will be awarded an Associate of Applied Science Degree from the community/junior college. Industry standards are based on the National Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) Career Cluster Content Standards.
Forestry Technology: Forestry Technology is an instructional program that prepares individuals to produce, protect, and manage timber and other forest crops. Students enrolled in the program will participate in a variety of learning experiences related to land and forest measurements, growth processes of timber stands, tree identification, timber and forest product harvesting, timber stand management and protection, and forest products utilization. Emphasis is placed on the development of job skills that allow students to enter employment. The latest technologies and computer application skills are incorporated into courses. The program combines lecture based activities with laboratory field experiences. Forestry Technology is a two-year technical program. An Associate of Applied Science degree is awarded upon successful completion of the curriculum. Industry standards referenced were adapted from Standards and Procedures for Recognizing Educational Programs in Forest Technology, as published by the Society of American Foresters

Suggested Course Sequence

Career Certificate Required Courses: Conservation Law Enforcement

Course Number	Course Name	Semester Credit Hours (SCH)	Lecture SCH Breakdown	Lab SCH Breakdown	Total Contact Hours	Lecture Clock Hour Breakdown	Lab Clock Hour Breakdown
CJT 1313	Introduction to Criminal Justice	3	-	-	-	-	-
CJT 1383	Criminology	3	-	-	-	-	-
FOT 2944	Special Problems in Conservation Law Enforcement	4	-	4	60	-	6
FOT 1714	Applied Dendrology	4	2	4	90	30	60
FOT 2124	Forest Surveying and Spatial Applications	4	2	4	90	30	60
FOT 2614	Silviculture I	4	2	4	90	30	60
-	Instructor Approved Elective	8	-	-	-	-	-
-	Total	30	-	-	-	-	-

Technical Certificate Required Courses: Conservation Law Enforcement

Course Number	Course Name	Semester Credit Hours (SCH)	Lecture SCH Breakdown	Lab SCH Breakdown	Total Contact Hours	Lecture Clock Hour Breakdown	Lab Clock Hour Breakdown
CJT 2333	Criminal Investigation	3	-	-	-	-	-
CJT 2513	Juvenile Justice	3	-	-	-	-	-
FOT 1114	Forest Measurements I	4	2	4	90	30	60
FOT 2214	Advanced GPS/GIS in Forestry	4	2	4	90	30	60
-	Instructor Approved Elective	1	-	-	-	-	-
-	Total	15	-	-	-	-	-

Career Certificate Required Courses: Forestry Technology

Course Number	Course Name	Semester Credit Hours (SCH)	Lecture SCH Breakdown	Lab SCH Breakdown	Total Contact Hours	Lecture Clock Hour Breakdown	Lab Clock Hour Breakdown
AGT 1714	Applied Soils-Conservation and Use	4	-	-	-	-	-
FOT 1114	Forest Measurements I	4	2	4	90	30	60
FOT 1714	Applied Dendrology	4	2	4	90	30	60
FOT 1813	Introduction to Forestry	3	3	0	45	45	-
FOT 2124	Forest Surveying and Spatial	4	2	4	90	30	60
-	Instructor Approved Elective	11	-	-	-	-	-
-	Total	30	-	-	-	-	-

Technical Certificate Required Courses: Forestry Technology

Course Number	Course Name	Semester Credit Hours (SCH)	Lecture SCH Breakdown	Lab SCH Breakdown	Total Contact Hours	Lecture Clock Hour Breakdown	Lab Clock Hour Breakdown
FOT 2214	Advanced GPS/GIS in Forestry	4	2	4	90	30	60
FOT 2424	Timber Harvesting	4	1	6	105	15	90
FOT 2614	Silviculture I	4	2	4	90	30	60
-	Instructor Approved Elective	3	-	-	-	-	-
-	Total	15	-	-	-	-	-

General Education Core Courses

Overview

To receive the Associate of Applied Science Degree, a student must complete all of the required coursework found in the Career Certificate option, Technical Certificate option and a minimum of 15 semester hours of General Education Core. The courses in the General Education Core may be spaced out over the entire length of the program so that students complete some academic and Career Technical courses each semester or provided primarily within the last semester. Each community college will specify the actual courses that are required to meet the General Education Core Requirements for the Associate of Applied Science Degree at their college. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Commission on Colleges Standard 2.7.3 from the Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement1 describes the general education core.

Section 2.7.3 - In each undergraduate degree program, the institution requires the successful completion of a general education component at the collegiate level that (1) is substantial component of each undergraduate degree, (2) ensures breadth of knowledge, and (3) is based on a coherent rationale. For degree completion in associate programs, the component constitutes a minimum of 15 semester hours or the equivalent. These credit hours are to be drawn from and include at least one course from the following areas: humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, and natural science/mathematics. The courses do not narrowly focus on those skills, techniques, and procedures specific to a particular occupation or profession.

General Education Courses

Course Number	Course Name	Semester Credit Hours (SCH)	Lecture SCH Breakdown	Lab SCH Breakdown	Total Contact Hours
-	Humanities/Fine Arts	3	-	-	-
-	Social/Behavioral Sciences	3	-	-	-
-	Math/Science	3	-	-	-
-	Academic Electives	6	-	-	-
-	Total	15	-	-	-

¹ Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. (2017). The Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement. Retrieved from The Accreditation Process

Electives

Course Number	Course Name	Semester Credit Hours (SCH)	Lecture SCH Breakdown	Lab SCH Breakdown	Externship SCH Breakdown	Total Contact Hours	Lecture Clock Hour Breakdown	Lab Clock Hour Breakdown	Externship Clock Hour Breakdown
SSP 1003	Smart Start	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
CSC 1123	Computer Applications I	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
FOT 1314	Forest Protection	4	2	4	-	90	-	-	-
FOT 1124	Forest Measurements II	4	2	4	-	90	-	-	-
FOT 2623	Silviculture II	3	2	4	-	90	-	-	-
FOT 1414	Forest Products Utilization	4	2	4	-	90	-	-	-
FOT 1813	Introduction to Forestry	3	3	0	-	45	-	-	-
FOT 2214	Advanced GIS/GPS in Forestry	4	2	4	-	90	-	-	-
FOT 2424	Timber Harvesting	4	1	6	-	105	-	-	-
FOT 291 (1-6)	Special Problem in Forest Technology	1-6	0	2-6	-	30-90	-	-	-
FOT 294 (1-6)	Special Problem in Conservation Law	1-6	0	2-6	-	30-90	-	-	-
FOT 292 (1-6)	Supervised Work in Forest Technology	1-6	0	3-18	45-270	-	-	-	-

Course Descriptions

FOT 1813 Introduction to Forestry

Description

A study of the development of the forest industry in Mississippi and the United States. An exploration of occupational careers in forestry including forest products industries. Includes common terms used in forest occupations.

Hour Breakdown

Semester Hours	Lecture	Lab	Contact Hours
3	3	0	45

Prerequisite

Instructor Approved

Student Learning Outcomes

Trace the development of forestry in Mississippi and in the United States.
- Identify major events and people which have influenced the development of forest policy and legislation in Mississippi and in the United States.
- Identify and describe practices and techniques in forestry.
Explore educational and career opportunities in forestry and the forest products industries.
- Identify career opportunities in public and private sectors.
- Identify opportunities for continuing education in forestry.
- Investigate requirements for different job opportunities including education, working conditions, salaries/wages, and potential for advancement.
Apply common terminology used in forest occupations.
- Define and apply standard forestry terms.

FOT 1114 Forest Measurements I

Description

A course covering fundamentals of forest measurement. Includes instruction in locating land on a map, applying sampling techniques, and processing and summarizing field data.

Hour Breakdown

Semester Hours	Lecture	Lab	Contact Hours
4	2	4	90

Prerequisite

Instructor Approved

Student Learning Outcomes

Establish the physical location of timber and forest products to be cruised
- Apply U.S. Public Land Survey procedures to locate land on a map
- Physically locate corners and boundaries of land to be cruised from a map
- Make a preliminary study of the property to determine sampling technique, topography, cruise intensity, and direction of cruise lines
Apply sampling techniques to measure standing timber and forest products on a given tract of land
- Describe the different types of sampling techniques used in measuring standing timber including line plot, strip, and prism cruising
- Select the appropriate sampling technique, intensity, and equipment to measure standing timber on a given tract
- Measure standing timber on the given tract according to the sampling technique and intensity stated
- Record data following industry accepted practices
Process field data to determine volume and weight of forest products on a given plot of land
- Interpret raw data from a cruise.for the individual tract by product class and species (hardwood, pine, pulpwood, sawtimber, specialty products)
Summarize field data and prepare a cruise report
- Prepare a detailed cruise report including legal description, timber volumes and values by species and class, average volume per acre, and average volume per tree

FOT 1124 Forest Measurements II

Description

A continuation of Forest Measurement I with emphasis on electronic and computer applications in forest measurement.

Hour Breakdown

Semester Hours	Lecture	Lab	Contact Hours
4	2	4	90

Prerequisite

Instructor Approved

Student Learning Outcomes

Perform forest measurements using computerized equipment
- Determine acreage of a parcel of land using a global positioning instrument
- Determine sampling intensity needed from GPS data
- Compute tract volume using a data recorder
- Download and process tract volume
- Digitize a tract map from field information
- Generate a computerized report of findings
- Obtain timber price reports

FOT 1314 Forest Protection

Description

A course in methods and techniques for protecting forests from fire, insect, and disease damage. Includes instruction in prescribed burning procedures.

Hour Breakdown

Semester Hours	Lecture	Lab	Contact Hours
4	2	4	90

Prerequisite

Instructor Approved

Student Learning Outcomes

Apply prescribed burning methods
- Identify and describe weather factors that affect prescribed burning, including NOAA and other forecasting tools
- Describe factors that influence timing of a prescribed burn
- Describe regulations and liability associated with prescribed burning
- Compare the different types of prescribed burn methods including backfire, head fire, flank fire, spot fire, and aerial ignition
- Develop a prescribed burn plan that includes notification of appropriate agencies, personnel, and adjacent land owners; a safety evacuation plan; application for burn permit; location of fire breaks; specific burn techniques to be employed; and fire control procedures and equipment to be used
- Conduct a prescribed burn and evaluate the results
Apply fire suppression techniques
- Describe direct and indirect fire suppression techniques including plow lanes and backfires, and direct attack
- Prepare a report on a specific fire in the local area and analyze the procedures used in suppression
Apply insect control techniques
- Identify common insect pests associated with trees including physical recognition, life cycle, and probable reasons for attack
- Describe control methods and strategies for implementation
Apply disease control methods.
- Identify common diseases associated with trees including recognition/diagnosis of the disease, and life cycle
- Describe control methods and strategies for implementation

FOT 1414 Forest Products Utilization

Description

This course is designed to give the student experience in calculations, estimating, and blueprint reading.

Hour Breakdown

Semester Hours	Lecture	Lab	Contact Hours
4	2	4	90

Prerequisite

Instructor Approved

Student Learning Outcomes

Describe principles that apply to processing of forest products
- Identify primary and secondary forest product industries
- Describe the microscopic characteristics of wood
- Evaluate the wood-water relationship
- Identify marketing information and factors that determine log and lumber cost
Apply principles of forest products processing
- Grade trees, logs, and lumber
- Compare different methods for treating forest products
Compare the different processes for kiln drying forest products

FOT 1714 Applied Dendrology

Description

A study of trees and woody vines including their classification and commercial uses.

Hour Breakdown

Semester Hours	Lecture	Lab	Contact Hours
4	2	4	90

Prerequisite

Instructor Approved

Student Learning Outcomes

Apply the binomial classification system
- Classify forest plant species according to the binomial classification system
Apply site-species relationships
- Compare the distribution of trees and woody vines in Mississippi by regions in the state
Identify commercially important tree species
- Identify important tree species in the area, utilizing leaves, buds, bark, and site observations and their uses (economic, esthetic, and recreational)
- Compare the relative economic importance of tree species by price for all wood products produced

FOT 2124 Forest Surveying and Spatial Applications

Description

A course to provide land surveying skills required in the forest industry. Includes instruction in interpreting legal descriptions, deeds, maps, and spatial imagery. This includes demonstration of surveying practices and spatial imagery practices and equipment.

Hour Breakdown

Semester Hours	Lecture	Lab	Contact Hours
4	2	4	90

Prerequisite

Instructor Approved

Student Learning Outcomes

Interpret the legal description of land
- Use the U. S. Public Land survey system to locate and describe a given parcel of land on a map
- Use the U. S. Public Land survey system to write a legal description for a given parcel of land
Locate and interpret land deeds
- Search indices to locate land records
- Trace the chain of title for a given parcel of land over a given period of time (title search)
- Interpret land deeds to determine location, ownership, type of conveyance, distances, and directions of boundaries and corners, and other parameters associated with deeds
Interpret maps and spatial imagery
- Interpret topographic maps to determine boundaries and corners, acreage, legal description of land, elevations, and landmarks for a given parcel of land
- Interpret spatial imagery to determine boundaries and corners, acreage, legal description of land, elevations, and landmarks for a given parcel of land
Demonstrate the use of surveying equipment and instruments in forestry technology occupations
- Demonstrate use and proper care of surveying instruments and equipment including compasses, transits, global positioning system (GPS) receivers, and distance measuring equipment
Demonstrate surveying practices used in forestry technology occupations
- Locate and mark corners and boundary lines for a given parcel of land
- Demonstrate the use of GPS and distance measuring equipment

FOT 2214 Advanced GPS/GIS in Forestry

Description

A course that includes use of remote sensing imagery and geographic information systems software in forest operations.

Hour Breakdown

Semester Hours	Lecture	Lab	Contact Hours
4	2	4	90

Prerequisite

Instructor Approved

Student Learning Outcomes

Explain principles of remote sensing interpretation and application of aerial photos and other remote sensing images
- Select project areas for evaluation
- Find resources for project area image data
- Inspect and process image data of project areas for target information
- Explore other resources and methods of remote sensing
Examine the use of the global positioning system and geographic information systems software
- Demonstrate the use of the global positioning system to find latitude, longitude, and elevation
- Demonstrate the use of the global positioning system to find state plane coordinates
- Obtain base station location for differential correction
- Record location coodinates for routing and navigation
- Process data into X and Y coordinates
- Generate tract maps and determine acreage using GIS

FOT 2424 Timber Harvesting

Description

A course dealing with harvesting practices including development of timber harvesting, regulations, harvesting plans, best management practices, and timber contracts (legal terminology). Includes observations of logging operations.

Hour Breakdown

Semester Hours	Lecture	Lab	Contact Hours
4	1	6	105

Prerequisite

Instructor Approved

Student Learning Outcomes

Describe timber harvesting equipment and practices used in the southeastern United States
- Describe how timber harvesting practices have evolved over time in response to economic, environmental, and regulatory factors
- Discuss the use of harvesting equipment including operating costs, advantages, and limitations
- Observe equipment in logging operations and prepare a report based on the observations
Identify regulations associated with timber harvesting operations
- Describe safety regulations for timber harvesting operations
- Describe environmental regulations for timber harvesting operations
Prepare a timber harvesting plan for a given parcel of timber
- Identify and describe Best Management Practices (BMP’s) for timber harvesting, including minimizing visual and environmental impact
- Prepare a logging plan for a given tract of timber to include placement of decks, skid trails and roads, equipment to be used, access to public roads, and BMP’s to be used
Interpret a timber sale contract (legal terminology)
- Identify essential elements of a timber sale contract including owner, location, timber removal period, type of payment, and special considerations

FOT 2614 Silviculture I

Description

A course dealing with the growth and development of trees and stands. Includes instruction in principles of tree and stand growth and development, regeneration, and intermediate cuttings.

Hour Breakdown

Semester Hours	Lecture	Lab	Contact Hours
4	2	4	90

Prerequisite

Instructor Approved

Student Learning Outcomes

Apply principles of tree physiology (silvics)
- Describe the factors that affect growth of individual trees in the forest
- Describe factors that affect the growth and development of forest stands
Apply principles of regeneration and reproductive methods
- Describe procedures for implementing regeneration of timber stands, including natural regeneration and artificial regeneration
- Prepare a regeneration plan for a given parcel of land
Select intermediate cutting procedures for various stands of timber
- Describe the different types of intermediate cuttings to include release cuttings, thinnings, pruning, and salvage
- Select the appropriate intermediate cutting procedure for a given stand of timber
- Select trees for intermediate cutting

FOT 2624 Silviculture II

Description

A continuation of Silviculture I with emphasis on site preparation and regeneration practices.

Hour Breakdown

Semester Hours	Lecture	Lab	Contact Hours
4	2	4	90

Prerequisite

Instructor Approved

Student Learning Outcomes

Apply site preparation practices used in forestry
- Describe the different types of site preparation practices used in forestry including prescribed burning, shear and rake, chopping, herbicidal treatments, and planting with herbicide applications
- Compare costs and benefits of each different type of site preparation practice
- Prepare a site preparation plan for a given tract of land to include procedures, budget, timing, acreage treated, and participation in government programs
Apply regeneration practices used in forestry
- Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of natural and artificial regeneration practices
- Describe the use of genetically improved seedlings in regeneration
- Describe the different types of planting practices used in artificial regeneration
- Observe and participate in tree planting activities and inspections
- Describe the process of genetic tree improvement

FOT 291 (1-6) Special Problem in Forestry Technology

Description

A course designed to provide the student with practical application of skills and knowledge gained in other Forest Technology courses. The instructor works closely with the student to insure that the selection of a project will enhance the student’s learning experience.

Hour Breakdown

Semester Hours	Lecture	Lab	Contact Hours
1-6	0	2-6	30-90

Prerequisite

Instructor Approved

Student Learning Outcomes

Develop a written plan which details the activities and projects to be completed
- Use a written plan which details the activities and projects to be completed
- Perform written occupational objectives in the special problem
Assess accomplishment of objectives
- Prepare daily written assessments of accomplishment of objectives
- Present weekly written reports to the instructor of activities performed and objectives accomplished
Use and follow a set of written guidelines for the special problem
- Develop and follow a set of written guidelines for the special problem

FOT 292 (1-6) Supervised Work Experience in Forestry Technology

Description

A course which is a cooperative program involving students, employers, and educational staff and is designed to integrate the student’s technical studies with real world situations. Variable credit is awarded on the basis of one semester hour per 45 contact hours.

Hour Breakdown

Semester Hours	Lecture	Lab	Contact Hours
1-6	0	3-18	45-270

Prerequisite

Instructor Approved

Student Learning Outcomes

Follow a set of instructor-written guidelines for the supervised work experience program
Apply skills needed to be a viable member of the workforce
- Prepare a description of skills to be developed in the supervised work experience program
- Practice skills needed to be a viable member of the workforce
Practice human relationship skills in the supervised work experience program
Practice positive work habits, responsibilities, and ethics
Develop written occupational objectives in the supervised work experience program
Assess performance of occupational skills
- Prepare daily written assessments of work performance as specified in the occupational objectives
- Present weekly written reports to the instructor of activities performed and objectives accomplished

FOT 294 (1-6) Special Problem in Conservation Law

Description

A course designed to provide the student with practical application of skills and knowledge gained in other Conservation Law courses. The instructor works closely with the student to insure that the selection of a project will enhance the student’s learning experience.

Hour Breakdown

Semester Hours	Lecture	Lab	Contact Hours
1-6	0	2-6	30-90

Prerequisite

Instructor Approved

Student Learning Outcomes

Develop a written plan which details the activities and projects to be completed
- Use a written plan which details the activities and projects to be completed
- Perform written occupational objectives in the special problem
Assess accomplishment of objectives
- Prepare daily written assessments of accomplishment of objectives
- Present weekly written reports to the instructor of activities performed and objectives accomplished
Use and follow a set of written guidelines for the special problem
- Develop and follow a set of written guidelines for the special problem

Articulation

Check with the local community college CTE administration for articulation agreements.

Industry Job Projection Data

A summary of occupational data is available from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security website.

Adoption of National Certification Standards

Upon further research, there are no national certification standards that are available for adoption at this time. The Office of Curriculum and Instruction will continue working with industry members to ensure the curriculum document is rigorous enough for industry standards.

Industry Credentials, Certifications, and Professional Licensure

See the “Industry Credentials, Certifications, and Professional Licensure”

Dual Enrollment

See the “Procedures Manual For Dual Enrollment and Accelerated Programs”

Appendix A: Recommended Tools and Equipment

Capitalized Items

GPS unit (1 per 4 students)
Hand-held 2-way radio (1 per 4 students)
HAGLOF Distance Measuring Device (1 per 4 students)
Electronic Hypsometer (1 per 4 students)
Field data recorder (1 per program)
Laptop computer to military specs, with accessories (1 per teacher)
Microcomputer with CD-ROM (1 per student)
Microcomputer laser printer (networked) (1 per network)
Digitizing tablet for computer (1 per program)
Electronic distance measure unit (1 per 10 students)
Van (1 per 10 students)
Drone (1 per 5 students)
Electronic Tablet (1 per 2 students)

Non-Capitalized Items

Diameter tape (1 per 3 students)
Clinometer (1 per 3 students)
Loggers tape (1 per 3 students)
Prism (1 per 3 students)
Tally book (1 per 3 students)
Compass (1 per 3 students)
Cruiser’s vest or field bag (1 per 3 students)
Surveyor’s transit with stadia (1 per 10 students)
Staff compass (1 per 10 students)
Range pole (1 per 10 students)
Gunter’s chain (1 per 10 students)
Chain pins (1 bundle per 10 students)
Tree marking devices (1 per 2 students)
Increment borer (1 per 2 students)
Bark gauge (1 per 2 students)
Hard hats (1 per student)
Snake leggings (1 per student)
Safety glasses or goggles (1 per student)
Ear plugs or muffs (1 per student)
First aid kit (1 per 10 students)
Drip torch (1 per 10 students)
Backpack water pump (1 per 5 students)
Fire rake (1 per 5 students)
Fire flap (1 per 5 students)
Fire axe (1 per 5 students)
Round point shovel (1 per 5 students)
Wind speed detector (1 per 1 program)
Fire weather kit (1 per program)
Lumber rules (1 per student)
Moisture meter (1 per 5 students)
Tree injector (1 per 5 students)
Tree planting bar (1 per 5 students)
Hoe-dad planter (1 per 5 students)
Tree planting bag (1 per 5 students)
Caliper (1 per 2 Students)

Recommended Instructional Aids

It is recommended that instructors have access to the following items:

Microcomputer integrated software package (word processing, spreadsheet and data base)
Digitizing software package
Timber cruising software package
GPS mapping system software
Wood identification kit
Video camera/recorder
LED projector

Appendix B: Curriculum Definitions and Terms

Terms & Definitions

Course Name – A common name that will be used by all community colleges in reporting students
Course Abbreviation – A common abbreviation that will be used by all community and junior colleges in reporting students
Classification – Courses may be classified as the following:
- Career Certificate Required Course – A required course for all students completing a career certificate.
- Technical Certificate Required Course – A required course for all students completing a technical certificate.
- Technical Elective – Elective courses that are available for colleges to offer to students.
Description – A short narrative that includes the major purpose(s) of the course
Prerequisites – A listing of any courses that must be taken prior to or on enrollment in the course
Corequisites – A listing of courses that may be taken while enrolled in the course
Student Learning Outcomes – A listing of the student outcomes (major concepts and performances) that will enable students to demonstrate mastery of these competencies

The following guidelines were used in developing the program(s) in this document and should be considered in compiling and revising course syllabi and daily lesson plans at the local level:

The content of the courses in this document reflects approximately 75% of the time allocated to each course. The remaining 25% of each course should be developed at the local district level and may reflect the following:
- Additional competencies and objectives within the course related to topics not found in the state framework, including activities related to specific needs of industries in the community college district
- Activities that develop a higher level of mastery on the existing competencies and suggested objectives
- Activities and instruction related to new technologies and concepts that were not prevalent at the time the current framework was developed or revised
- Activities that include integration of academic and career–technical skills and course work, school-to-work transition activities, and articulation of secondary and postsecondary career– technical programs
- Individualized learning activities, including work-site learning activities, to better prepare individuals in the courses for their chosen occupational areas
Sequencing of the course within a program is left to the discretion of the local college. Naturally, foundation courses related to topics such as safety, tool and equipment usage, and other fundamental skills should be taught first. Other courses related to specific skill areas and related academics, however, may be sequenced to take advantage of seasonal and climatic conditions, resources located outside of the school, and other factors. Programs that offer an Associate of Applied Science Degree must include all of the required Career Certificate courses, Technical Certificate courses AND a minimum of 15 semester hours of General Education Core Courses. The courses in the General Education Core may be spaced out over the entire length of the program so that students complete some academic and Career Technical courses each semester. Each community college specifies the actual courses that are required to meet the General Education Core Requirements for the Associate of Applied Science Degree at their college.
In order to provide flexibility within the districts, individual courses within a framework may be customized by doing the following:
- Adding new student learning outcomes to complement the existing competencies and suggested objectives in the program framework
- Revising or extending the student learning outcomes
- Adjusting the semester credit hours of a course to be up 1 hour or down 1 hour (after informing the Mississippi Community College Board [MCCB] of the change)

Appendix C: Course Crosswalk

Conservation Law Enforcement & Forestry Technology

Existing 2011 MS Curriculum Framework

Course Number	Course Title	Hours
CRJ 1313	Introduction to Criminal Justice	3
CJR 1383	Criminology	3
CRJ 2333	Criminal Investigation	3
CRJ 2513	Juvenile Justice	3
FOT 1114	Forest Measurements I	4
FOT 1124	Forest Measurements II	4
FOT 1314	Forest Protection	4
FOT 1414	Forest Products Utilization	4
FOT 1714	Applied Dendrology	4
FOT 2124	Forest Surveying and Spatial Applications	4
FOT 2214	Apps of GIS/GPS in Forestry	4
FOT 2614	Silviculture I	4
FOT 2624	Silviculture II	4
FOT 2214	Advanced GIS/GPS in Forestry	4
FOT 291 (1-6)	Special Problem in Forestry Technology	1-3
FOT 292 (1-6)	Supervised Work Experience in Forestry Technology	1-6

Revised 2018 MS Curriculum Framework

Course Number	Course Title	Hours
CRJ 1313	Introduction to Criminal Justice	3
CJR 1383	Criminology	3
CRJ 2333	Criminal Investigation I	3
CRJ 2513	Juvenile Justice	3
AGT 1714	Applied Soils-Conservation and Use	4

Existing 2018 MS Curriculum Framework

Course Number	Course Title	Hours
CRJ 1313	Introduction to Criminal Justice	3
CJR 1383	Criminology	3
CRJ 2333	Criminal Investigation I	3
CRJ 2513	Juvenile Justice	3
AGT 1714	Applied Soils-Conservation and Use	4
FOT 1114	Forest Measurements I	4
FOT 1124	Forest Measurements II	4
FOT 1314	Forest Protection	4
FOT 1414	Forest Products Utilization	4
FOT 1714	Applied Dendrology	4
FOT 2124	Forest Surveying and Spatial Applications	4
FOT 2214	Apps of GIS/GPS in Forestry	4
FOT 2614	Silviculture I	4
FOT 2624	Silviculture II	4
FOT 2214	Advanced GIS/GPS in Forestry	4
FOT 291 (1-6)	Special Problem in Forestry Technology	1-3
FOT 292 (1-6)	Supervised Work Experience in Forestry Technology	1-6

Appendix D: Recommended Textbook List

Textbooks

Conservation Law Enforcement

Book Title	Author(s)	ISBN
Fish and Wildlife Management A Handbook for Mississippi Landowners	Adamt T. Rohnke and James L. Cummings	978-I-62846-027-8

Forestry Technology

Book Title	Author(s)	ISBN
Forest Measurements	Avery and Burkhart	0-07-366176-7
Conducting Prescribed Fires A Comprehensive Manual	John R. Weir	978-1-60344-134-6
Textbook of Dendrology Ninth Edition	James W. Hardin, Donald J. Leopold and Fred M. White	0-07-366171-6
Mississippi Forests And Forestry	James E. Fickle	1-57806-308-6
Fundamentals of Soil Science -8E	Henry D. Foth	0-471-52279-1
Intro to Forests and Renewable Resources	Hendee, Dawson, Shatpe	978-1-57766-746-9
Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region	National Audubon Society	978-0394507606
Elementary Timber Measurements	Wiant	Out of Production We have permission from publisher to print on campus
The Practice of Silviculture	Smith,Larson,Kelty,Ashton	0-471-10941-x
Forest Measurements	Avery and Burkhart	978-0-07-366176-6
Forest Products and Wood Science: An Introduction	Shmulsky and Jones	9780813820743
Surveying for Forestry and the Natural Resources	Jim Kiser	Publication from Oregon State University no ISBN
Mississippi Trees	Hodges, Evans, and Garnett	MSU Extension and Mississippi Forestry Commission Publication no ISBN

Appendix E: Writing and Revision Information

Writing Team & Contributors

Faculty Writing Team Members

James D. Floyd, Holmes Community College, Instructor
Bennett Burris, Jones Junior College, Instructor
Emily Jones, Itawamba Community College, Instructor Administrator Writing Team Members
Luke Jones, Holmes Community College, Director
Barry Bradshaw, Jones College, Assistant Dean

Business and Industry Contributing Team Members

Bryan Wheeler, Mississippi Forestry Commission . Assistant Regional Forester
Jeff Keeton, Commodity Manager Enviva Biomass
Alec Conrad, NRCS Easement Forester, Grenada, MS
Dr. Brady Self, Mississippi State University Associate Extension Professor, Grenada, MS

Office of Curriculum and Instruction Team Members

Scott Kolle, Ph.D., Director, Office of Curriculum and Instruction, Mississippi Community College Board
LaToya Rembert Sterling, Ph.D. Assistant Director of Training and Professional Development for CTE, Office of Curriculum and Instruction, Mississippi Community College Board
Sheriece Robinson, Ed.D. Curriculum Specialist, Office of Curriculum and Instruction, Mississippi Community College Board

Research Abstract

In the spring of 2023, the Office of Curriculum and Instruction (OCI) met with the different industry members who made up the advisory committees for the Civil Engineering Technology program. An industry questionnaire was used to gather feedback concerning the trends and needs, both current and future, of their field. Program faculty, administrators, and industry members were consulted regarding industry workforce needs and trends.

Industry advisory team members from the college involved with this program were asked to give input related to changes to be made to the curriculum framework. Specific comments related to soft skills needed in this program include having the willingness to learn, and written and oral communication skills. Occupation-specific skills stated include having fundamental knowledge of the forestry industry, and having basic navigation skills.

Revision History:

2011 Research and Curriculum Unit, Mississippi State University
2018 Mississippi Community College Board
2023 Mississippi Community College Board

Copyright & Permission

The Office of Curriculum and Instruction (OCI) was founded in 2013 under the Division of Workforce, Career, and Technical Education at the Mississippi Community College Board (MCCB). The office is funded through a partnership with The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), who serves as Mississippi’s fiscal agent for state and federal Career and Technical Education (CTE) Funds. The OCI is tasked with developing statewide CTE curriculum, programming, and professional development designed to meet the local and statewide economic demand.