Forestry
Degree Paths
Forestry majors will learn to actively plan, observe and manage the health of the entire forest ecosystem with an emphasis on active management to accommodate, prevent and mitigate forest disturbances as part of a forest management plan.
Forest Restoration and Fire option
The Forest Restoration and Fire option focuses on managing for forest disturbance processes including wildfire, landslides, insects and disease. Graduates will have the knowledge and the skillset to incorporate natural processes, including disturbance, into active forest management planning. This option prepares students to prevent or mitigate damage resulting from disturbances or to use disturbance processes purposefully to achieve management objectives. Disturbance processes are important considerations in any actively managed forest, regardless of the specific management objective. These skills will be particularly important for managing forests at the landscape scale and in the face of uncertainty and rapid change including in climate or land use patterns.
Management option
The management option focuses on the biological, ecological and economic characteristics of forests and society. Students gain knowledge and experience in active forest management, including monitoring the health of forests and natural resources, maintaining species inventory, timber cruising, planning and executing harvesting operations, focusing on conservation and sustainability of natural resources such as wildlife, and protecting the forest from harmful weeds, insects, disease, erosion and fire.
Operations option
Students in the operations option focus on the business and timber harvesting side of forestry. Students learn how to actively manage lands with economic efficiency and with evolving markets and policy to provide timber and fiber for the nation. To achieve program goals, the curriculum includes a traditional forestry foundation with courses in forest biology, economics, management and operations. The curriculum includes a traditional forestry foundation with courses in forest biology, economics, management and operations. As part of the curriculum, students earn a business minor, which enhances their skills in accounting, finance, business law and organizational behavior.
