Undergraduate Programs
Major 1 Options: (Adobe PDF documents)
Forest Management Track
Forest Conservation Track
Forest Ecology Track
International Agriculture and Natural Resources Track
Does Forestry Fit Your Interests?
Are you interested in working outdoors in a natural setting? Are you seeking a career that combines ecology, the environment and science-based decision making? Do you enjoy working with people? If so, than you may find a career in forest conservation and management to be especially rewarding.
The profession of forestry has often been described as a blend of "art and science." Forest managers rely upon the ideas and tools of science to inventory and manage forest resources - trees, wildlife, water and other resources. Forest lands vast or small must be mapped and inventoried, often using the technology such as geographic information systems (GIS) and satellite imagery. Using such data bases, a forester must integrate many potential resource uses such as wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, endangered resources and timber production into a management plan while at the same time maintaining biological diversity and environmental quality. A forester might also select trees to harvest to improve existing stands, monitor insect and disease conditions, and advise private landowners on tree planting and forest management practices.
There are many opportunities to become a resource management specialist, too. Some foresters specialize in ecology, silviculture, or monitoring forest health. Others specialize in genetics, remote sensing or environmental policy. Some of our graduates have used their degree as a foundation for further study in environmental law, resource economics or forest products development.
Career Opportunities in Forestry
The United States has some of the largest and most productive forests in the world. Forest resources of all kinds are in demand as the public seeks more recreational land and wildlife, more esthetic experiences and more wood and fiber. Forest resources also represent the primary source of employment in 28 Wisconsin counties, and Wisconsin continues to lead the nation in the production of many wood-based commodities.
Our graduates work for the Wisconsin DNR, the U.S. Forest Service,
county governments, the National Park Service, and numerous other
state and federal agencies. Forest products industries, urban
communities, and private consulting firms are also leading
employers of our graduates. Placement rates for our graduates in natural resource
positions continue to average 75% for students with a B.S. degree
and nearly 100% for students with an M.S. or Ph.D. degree.
The Forest Science Major
The Forest and Wildlife Ecology Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has excellent teaching, research and computing facilities. There is a tradition of teaching excellence in the department. Five forestry professors have received awards for excellence in teaching and advising, including two national awards from the Society of American Foresters. Classes often have fewer than 25 students, ensuring that each student receives individual attention. Each student has a faculty adviser, and many students work part-time or summers for faculty assisting with a variety of research projects.
Students also participate in a variety of educational opportunities away from the Madison campus, including a three-week introduction to forest ecosystems in northern Wisconsin, a 10-day trip to visit forests in the southern U.S., numerous internship and summer research opportunities, and a very active 'study abroad' program. During the past decade, more than 15% of our students have completed an international study abroad experience of one or more semesters. Students are encouraged to join the Forestry Club, the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Student Chapter of the Society of American Foresters. Travel to professional meetings and completion of workshops and technical training programs to improve field skills are among the frequent activities.
Our Forest Science major has four options that provide students with opportunities to customize their education:
- Students interested in a 'traditional' forestry program usually enter the Forest Management Option that emphasizes coursework in silviculture, inventory methods and management decision making. Students in this track often aspire to work as field foresters for public agencies or as consultants. This curriculum is accredited by the Society of American Foresters.
- Students whose primary interest is biological conservation in forest ecosystems are advised to consider the Forest Conservation Option. Students here complete a subset of forest management courses together with additional coursework in ecology and biological diversity, conservation biology and resource policy and planning. Careers with organizations such as The Nature Conservancy or work with endangered resources are the principal focus. This curriculum is accredited by the Society of American Foresters
- Students interested in ecology and research are encouraged to complete the Forest Ecology Option. This option provides a core of traditional forestry coursework together with additional chemistry, ecology and basic biology coursework central to the study of ecosystem processes. Most of these students are planning on graduate study and careers in academic research. This curriculum is not accredited by the Society of American Foresters
- Students interested in international agriculture are encouraged to complete the International Agriculture and Natural Resources Option. This track is oriented towards providing a broad-based experience in the management of forest resources in international circles. These students complete a 'study abroad' experience as well as foreign language training. This curriculum is accredited by the Society of American Foresters
Financial Assistance
The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences offers many scholarships that are available based on academic performance, need, or extracurricular loans and work study programs. For details, contact:
Office of Undergraduate Programs and Services
116 Agriculture Hall
Tel: 608-262-3003; Fax: 608-265-5905
email: info@cals.wisc.edu
For More Information:
Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology
1630 Linden Drive, Room 120
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI 53706 USA
Tel. (608) 262-9975 Fax (608) 262-9922
Email: forestecology@mailplus.wisc.edu
or
Undergraduate Programs and Services
College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
University of Wisconsin-Madison
116 Agriculture Hall
1450 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706 USA
Tel. (608) 262-3003
Visit the College website at www.cals.wisc.edu
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an AA/EEO institution. University policies create additional protections that prohibit harassment on the basis of cultural background and ethnicity. Inquiries concerning these policies may be directed to me appropriate campus admitting or employing unit or to the Equity and Diversity Resource Center, 179-A Bascom Hall (608) 263-2378, TTY (608) 263-2473.
Updated: 2008.05.07