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ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES IN FORESTRY
When
you pursue a
Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Resources
CAREER TRACKS
Career tracks are
available to help you further define your interests. Selecting a career
track is not “required” to graduate. This information is to help you
better understand the types of careers professional foresters
enter. Regardless of what “career track” you are interested in, you must
still complete all courses that are required for the B.S. in Forest
Resources. The degree requirements include 94 credits of specific courses
plus 16 credits from a list of “Restricted Electives”, plus “Free
electives” to total 128 credits.
Some of the required courses are good
indicators of interest and abilities for a particular career track. Those
courses are listed under “related courses” and are part of the basic
degree requirements. “Suggested restricted electives” are courses
associated with a particular career track that are part of the list of
restricted electives for the B.S. in Forest Resources degree and are the
ones we suggest you consider if you are interested in a particular career
track. To be better prepared for some career tracks, additional courses
are suggested and are listed as Free Electives. Career track coursework
will represent an area of expertise. Several career tracks lend
themselves to the completion of an additional academic minor. If none of
these tracks represent your interests you can create a personalized career
track with the help of your advisor.
Forest Management
This career track is
for the student interested in “hands-on” management of forestlands. It
provides the scientific knowledge and skills needed to manage forestland
in an ecologically sustainable way. It is closest to the traditional
professional forestry degree, which has long been accredited by the
Society of American Foresters and to the Forest Ecosystem Management
Option, which is in the 2003 UI catalog and has been the major degree
option in the department for over a decade.
Related courses
within required Forest Resources curriculum that are indicators for this
track
|
For 274
FOR 324
For 424
For 462
For 468
FOR 469 |
Forest Measurements
and Inventory (3 cr)
Forest Regeneration (2 cr)
Forest Dynamics and
Management (2 cr)
Watershed
Management (3 cr)
Forest and Plant
Pathology (2 cr)
Introduction to Forest Insects (2 cr) |
Suggested restricted electives
|
For
423
For
472
For 463
ForPr 430
ForPr 431
Geog 385
Rnge 357
Rnge 440 |
Forest Community
Ecology (1 cr)
Remote Sensing of
the Environment (3 cr) + Lab (1 cr)
Hydrologic
Measurement Techniques (1 cr)
Forest
Engineering and Harvesting (3 cr)
Production and Cost
Control in Forest Industry (3 cr) alt yr
GIS Primer (3 cr)
Rangeland and
Riparian Habitat Assessment (3 cr)
Wildland Restoration
Ecology (3 cr) |
Free electives
|
ForPr 230
ForPr 277
|
Forest
Harvesting Field Measurements (2 cr)
Wood Structure
and Identification (3 cr)
Low Volume
Forest Roads (3 cr)
Forest Tractor
Systems Analysis (3 cr) or ForPr 434 Cable Systems Analysis (3cr)
Operational
Analysis in Timber Harvesting (3 cr) |
Minor in Timber
Harvesting
(Department of Forest Products)
If the following
courses are selected from restricted electives and free electives, this
minor is fulfilled: ForPr 230, 277, 430, 431, 432, 433 or 434, 439
Forest
Ecologist
Students interested
in the ecological aspects of managing forestlands can take the following
suggested courses. This option is designed to give students a sound
ecological foundation for forest ecosystem management. The student is also
well prepared for graduate studies or employment with agencies and
organizations that manage land based on ecological principles.
Related courses
within required Forest Resources curriculum that are indicators for this
track
|
For 424
|
Forest Ecosystem
Processes (2 cr)
Forest Regeneration
(2 cr)
Forest Dynamics
and Management (2 cr)
Watershed
Science and Management (3 cr)
Forest and Plant Pathology (2 cr)
Introduction to
Forest Insects (2 cr) |
Suggested restricted
electives
|
For 423
For 426
For/RNGE 429
Math 160/170
NR 402
Soil 454
Stat 401
Wlf 440 |
Forest Community
Ecology (1 cr)
Wildland Fire
Management and Ecology (3 cr)
Landscape Ecology (3
cr)
Calculus (4 cr)
GIS
Applications/Natural Resources (1 cr)
Soil Development
and Classification (3 cr)
Statistical
Analysis (3 cr)
Conservation
Biology (3 cr) |
Free electives
|
Envs 479/579
Rnge 454 |
Introduction of
Environmental Regulation (3 cr)
Rangeland Weed
Management (3 cr) |
Forest
Policy
Students interested
in the social/political aspects of managing forestlands can take the
following suggested courses. This option is designed to give students a
sound social science foundation for working in the forest policy arena at
local, state and federal levels with public agencies, elected officials,
non-governmental organizations and lobbying groups. The student is also
well prepared for graduate studies in forest social science.
Related courses
within required Forest Resources curriculum that are indicators for this
track
|
Econ 202
For 235
For 383
For 484 |
Principles of
Microeconomics (3 cr)
Society and
Natural Resources (3 cr)
Economics for
Natural Resource Managers (3 cr)
Forest Policy
and Administration (2 cr) |
Suggested
restricted electives
|
AgEc 477
CSS 486
CSS 494
PolSci 364 |
Law, Ethics and
the Environment (3 cr)
Public
Involvement in NR Mgmt (3 cr)
Public Relations
for Natural Resource Professionals (3 cr)
Politics of the
Environment (3 cr) |
Free electives
|
AgEc 335
CSS 489
Phil 103
Phil 452
Pols 101
Pols 462 |
Conflict Management
(3 cr) or COMM 331 Conflict Management (3 cr)
Personalities and
Philosophies in Conservation (2 cr)
Ethics (3 cr)
Environmental
Philosophy (3 cr)
Introduction to
Political Science & American Government (3 cr)
Natural Resource
Policy (3 cr) |
Field Botanist
Many land management
agencies and environmental organizations desire employees who have an
excellent background in field botany. The following coursework will build
expertise in plant systematics and identification; provide theoretical and
practical ecological knowledge, including habitat assessment and
classification; and develop a broad knowledge of issues related to
endangered and invasive plant species.
Related courses
within required Forest Resources curriculum that are indicators for this
track
|
Biol 116
|
Organisms and
Environments (4 cr)
Dendrology (3 cr)
General Botany (4 cr) |
Suggested restricted
electives
|
Biol 213
For 423
|
Principles of
Biological Structure and Function (4 cr)
Forest Community
Ecology (1 cr)
Physical Geology for
Science Majors (4 cr)
Rangeland and
Riparian Habitat Assessment (3 cr)
Conservation
Biology (3 cr) |
Free electives
|
Biol 210
Biol 212
Biol 314
Biol 341
Rnge 353
Rnge 454 |
Genetics (4 cr) OR
Gene 314 General Genetics (3 cr)
Molecular and
Cellular Biology (4 cr)
Plant Physiology (4
cr)
Ecology and
Population Biology (4 cr)
Systematic
Botany (3 cr)
Rangeland Plant
Identification and Ecology (3 cr)
|
Minor in Biology
(Department of Biological Sciences)
If the following
courses are selected from restricted electives and free electives, this
minor is fulfilled: Biol 210, 212, 213, 314. Biol 116 must be taken;
General Botany is not part of the Biology Minor.
Wildland Fire Manager
Students interested
in fire ecology and management could take the following courses. This
career track prepares people for employment with land management agencies
and conservation organizations whose land management practices include
prescribed fire and wildfire management.
Related courses
within required Forest Resources curriculum that are indicators for this
track
|
For 330
For 375
FOR 324
For 424 |
Forest Ecosystem
Processes (2 cr)
Introduction to
Spatial Analysis for Natural Resource Management (3 cr)
Forest Regeneration
(2 cr)
|
Suggested restricted
electives
|
CSS 490
For 472
For 427
Geog 301
Geog 385
NR 402
Rnge 357
Rnge 440
Rnge 459 |
Wilderness and
Protected Area Management (3 cr)
Remote Sensing of
the Environment (3 cr) + Lab (1 cr)
Wildland Fire
Management and Ecology (3 cr)
Prescribed Burning
Laboratory (3 cr)
Landscape Ecology (3
cr)
Meteorology (3 cr)
GIS Primer (3 cr)
GIS Applications in
Natural Resources (1 cr)
Rangeland and
Riparian Habitat Assessment (3 cr)
Wildland Restoration
Ecology (3 cr)
|
Minor in Fire
Ecology and Management (Department of Forest Resources)
Fulfilled by this
career track with proper selection from the list of restricted electives
to satisfy the minor.
Forest
Hydrologist*
Students interested
in forest hydrology, especially as it applies to forests and rangelands in
the West, should take the following suggested courses. This career track
will prepare students for positions that require knowledge and skills for
understanding the hydrological complexities and management options for
forested and rangeland watersheds.
Related courses
within required Forest Resources curriculum that are indicators for this
track
|
|
Introduction to Chemistry I (4 cr)
Principles of Chemistry I (4 cr)
Forest Ecosystem
Processes (2 cr)
Forest Regeneration
(2 cr)
Forest Dynamics
and Management (2 cr)
Watershed
Science and Management (3 cr)
General Physics
I (4 cr)
The Soil
Ecosystem and Lab (4 cr) |
Suggested restricted electives
|
Fish 430
For 463
Geog 301
Geol 111
Math 170
Stat 401 |
Riparian Ecology and
Management (3 cr)
Hydrologic
Measurement Techniques (1 cr)
Meteorology (3
cr)
Physical Geology for
Science Majors (4 cr)
Analytic Geometry
and Calculus I (4 cr)
Statistical Analysis
(3 cr) |
Free electives
|
BAE 341
BAE 452
BAE 457
Geog 424
Geol 335
Geol 423
Math 175
Phys 112
Soil 415 |
Environmental
Hydrology (3 cr)
Environmental
Water Quality (3 cr)
Hydrologic
Modeling for Watershed Management (3 cr)
Hydrologic
Applications of GIS and Remote Sensing (3 cr)
Geomorphology (3
cr)
Principles of
Geochemistry (3 cr)
The Geochemistry
of Natural Waters (3 cr)
Analytic Geometry
and Calculus II (4 cr)
General Physics
II (4 cr)
Soil and
Environmental Physics (3 cr) |
*Note:
courses in bold are required to qualify for the US Office of Personnel
Management (US OPM) minimum requirements for Federal Hydrology Series
positions.
Forest Wildlife Habitat Ecologist
The following
courses could be taken as part of a forestry degree to show expertise in
the assessment and management of forested wildlife habitat.
This coursework will increase the students understanding of
wildlife ecology, including habitat assessment and management; thus
developing a broad knowledge of issues related to management of wildlife
habitat in forested ecosystems.
Related courses
within required Forest Resources curriculum that are indicators for this
track
|
For 330
FOR 324
For 424
|
Forest Ecosystem
Processes (2 cr)
Forest Regeneration
(2 cr)
Forest Dynamics
and Management (2 cr)
Watershed
Science and Management (3 cr)
Forest and Plant
Pathology (2 cr)
Introduction to Forest Insects (2 cr) |
Suggested restricted
electives
|
Rnge 357
Rnge/Fish 430
WLF 314
WLF 316
WLF 440 |
Wildland Fire
Management and Ecology (3 cr)
Landscape
Ecology (3 cr)
Rangeland and
Riparian Habitat Assessment (3 cr)
Riparian Ecology and Management (2
cr)
Wildlife Ecology
(3 cr)
Wildlife Ecology
II (4 cr)
Conservation
Biology (3 cr) |
Free electives
|
WLF 315
WLF 448
WLF 492
WLF 495 |
Wildlife Ecology
Lab (1 cr)
Nongame
Management (2 cr)
Fish and
Wildlife Population Ecology (4 cr)
Wildlife
Management (4 cr)
Wildlife Seminar
(1-2 cr) |
Minor in Wildlife
Resources
(Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources)
Fulfilled by this
career track by careful selection of restricted and free electives.
Forest and Wildland GIS Specialist
The Wildland GIS Specialist career
track focuses on applications of modern technology such as GPS (global
positioning systems), GIS (geographic information systems) and remote
sensing techniques for mapping, monitoring, and managing landscapes.
Students will become proficient in mapping techniques, relational database
management, and spatial analysis methods used in natural resource
management. This career track will prepare students for careers that
specialize in the application of technology to forest and wildland
management.
Related courses within required Forest
Resources curriculum that are indicators for this track
|
For 375 |
Introduction to
Spatial Analysis for Natural Resource Management (3 cr) |
Suggested restricted
electives
|
Geog 385
NR 402 |
Landscape Ecology
(3 cr)
Remote Sensing of
the Environment (3 cr) + Lab (1 cr)
GIS Primer (3 cr)
GIS Applications
in Natural Resources (1 cr) |
Free electives
|
|
Geographic
Information Systems (3 cr)
GIS Applications
in Fire Management (1 cr) |
*Senior students
with a GPA >3.0 can take graduate classes as part of their degree program.
Plant
Protection Specialist
This track is designed for students
interested in the microbes and arthropods that associate with forest and
range plants. Plant protection specialists may be engaged in traditional
disease and pest diagnosis and management, in which the objective is
control of problems of native and economic plants. On the other hand,
plant protection specialists may also be involved in efforts to control
invasive plants.
Related courses
within required Forest Resources curriculum that are indicators for this
track
|
Biol 116
OR PLSC 205
|
Organisms and
Environments (4 cr)
General Botany (4 cr)
Forest and Plant
Pathology (2 cr)
Introduction to
Forest Insects (2 cr) |
Suggested restricted
electives
|
For 423
For/RNGE 429
Rnge 357 |
Forest Community
Ecology (1 cr)
Landscape
Ecology (3 cr)
Rangeland and
Riparian Habitat Assessment (3 cr) |
Free electives
|
|
Biol 210
Genetics (4 cr), OR Gene 314 General Genetics (3 cr)
Ecology and
Population Biology (4 cr)
Plant-Animal
Interactions (3 cr)
Insect
Identification (4 cr)
Insect Ecology
(3 cr)
Host Plant
Resistance to Insects and Pathogens (3 cr)
Fundamentals of
Biological Control (3 cr)
Principles of
Insect Pest Management (3 cr)
General
Microbiology (3 cr)
Microbial
Ecology (3 cr)
General Plant
Pathology (3 cr) |
Updated 10/15/07
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