Forest Science Major
Audience
Current undergraduate students.
What is Forest Science?
The profession of forestry has often been described as a blend of “art and science.” Forest managers rely upon scientific principles and tools to inventory and manage forest resources – trees, wildlife, water and other resources. Forest lands vast or small must be mapped and inventoried, often using technology such as geographic information systems (GIS) and satellite imagery. Using such data bases, a forester must integrate many potential resource values and 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.
Check out this article in the U.S. News to learn more about earning a degree in forestry and what it means to be a professional forester!
Our students are given numerous options for professional development through classes, interactions with advisors and professionals, internships, and the Forestry Club. Additionally, the Forest Science major is accredited by the Society of American Foresters.
Why choose Forest Science over other environmental majors?
The Forest Science major is accredited by the Society of American Foresters, which sets standards of professionalism in the field of forestry. The advantage of an accredited degree is that it opens doors to many positions that require specific credentials and hands-on training in the field. Many employers in government and natural resource management are looking for students from accredited programs.
Another advantage is that the bachelor’s degree is considered the terminal degree for the profession. Most students easily secure employment directly after graduation, while others may choose to pursue advanced degrees or research in academic settings.
How to Declare
To declare the Forest Science major students must meet with Allee Hochmuth, Academic Advising Manager for Russell Labs. If you have questions about the field of Forest Science, please contact Dr. Scott Bowe, lead faculty advisor and member of the department’s Undergraduate Affairs Committee in Forest Science. For general information on admissions to the University of Wisconsin-Madison please visit the Undergraduate Admissions website.
Looking for more information and resources? Please visit the Russell Labs Hub Student Services page.
Major and Degree Requirements
Additional information regarding general education requirements and a sample 4-year plan can he found in the UW-Madison Guide.
There may be overlap between University, CALS, and Wildlife Ecology major requirements. Students are strongly encouraged to work with their advisor to strategize and understand how requirements can be met.
Tips and Sequencing
- All students should take Soil Sci 301 (or 230) and BOT/F&WE 402 as early as possible
- Pay attention to courses with requisites and plan accordingly!
- All Forest Science Core requirements * should be complete prior to capstone * (see advisor for exceptions)
- Looking for Humanities/Ethnic Studies? Check out options in ENVIR ST, GEOG, and AMER IND
- Pro tip – use the filtering tools in Course Search & Enroll
Consult with an academic advisor, Course Guide, and Department Course Rotation Schedules for additional information on course sequencing.
Course Exception Requests: students who wish to substitute a course requirement with another course taken at UW-Madison, on study abroad, or another institution must receive permission for the course exception in advance of taking the course. Students should consult with their academic advisor for more information.
Independent Study Credits: Any student completing either F&W ECOL 299 or 699 credits are required to complete the Forest & Wildlife Ecology Independent Study Agreement form with their independent study instructor. A copy of this form should be kept by both the student and the instructor.
Forest Science Learning Goals
For a complete list of competencies required for the Forest Science major, please see the Learning Outcomes listed on the UW-Madison Guide page.
Forestry Field Camp
Forest Resources Practicum (F&W ECOL 658) is an intensive 3-week field course conducted ever other summer from mid-May to early June.
Affectionately known as Forestry Camp, F&W ECOL 658 introduces students to the complexities of forest ecosystems.
Through a series of integrated exercises, students learn first hand about forest ecosystem structure, function, processes, and services. Along the way students develop the knowledge necessary to conduct a comprehensive forest resource assessment.
Subject areas include: basic field skills, plant identification, GPS & GIS, timber cruising, forest soils, wildlife identification and survey methods, forest ecology, and forest habitat classification.
Forestry Camp also provides students with opportunities to work closely with faculty and “real world” natural resource professionals in a beautiful setting.
Undergraduate Advising
All undergraduate students are assigned to a faculty and staff advisor after they declare the major. Staff advisors serve as primary academic advisors, and faculty advisors serve in a mentorship role, especially for students interested in research and advanced study.
Freshman, sophomores, transfer students, and any student who has recently declared the major are required to consult with their staff and/or faculty advisor at least once per semester. This consultation must occur prior to enrollment for the upcoming term. Students may have an enrollment hold placed on their record that can be lifted after consulting with an advisor. Most often, consulting happens through an advising appointment scheduled through Starfish, but can also be done through drop-ins or via email. Students who have built their 4-year plan and have it saved as their “Primary Plan” in Degree Planner are encouraged to meet with an advisor regularly to discuss electives and progress towards degree completion.
Although drop-ins can be accommodated by someone in the department, students are best served through individual advising appointments. See the Russell Labs Student Services web page for up-to-date information on drop-in advising services.
Internships
All Forest Science students are required to complete either an internship or professional work experience for their degree.
Students:
- are encouraged to talk to their advisor about internship possibilities and departmental internship policies.
- must receive prior approval through the Internship Agreement Form by May 15.
- have questions about their internship experience can talk to Professor Adena Rissman or another faculty member.
Undergraduate Research
Many undergraduates work directly with faculty and staff researchers on a variety of projects. Typically, students can work as student hourlies or earn academic credit for their research experience.
Students who participate for credit can enroll in either F&W ECOL 299 or 699 and are required to complete the Forest & Wildlife Ecology Independent Study Agreement form with their independent study instructor:
- A copy of this form should be kept by both the student and the instructor.
- This agreement serves as documentation of expectations and requirements between student and instructor.
- Documentation of this agreement is required prior to enrollment.
Forestry Club
For more information on the club and their activities, please check out the bulletin board in the hallway by room 102 in Russell Labs and follow the club on Instagram @uwforestryclub.
Careers and Professional Development
Students who graduate from our Forest Science program enter a wide variety of natural resource careers in several different sectors. They can work as foresters, arborists, park rangers, conservation scientists, environmental educators, geospatial analysts, researchers, and more. They also pursue graduate training in forestry, ecology, natural resource policy, or environmental law. Graduates of the program work for many organizations including the U.S. Forest Service, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Society of American Foresters, the Aldo Leopold Foundation, environmental consultants, and private corporations.
Top job titles for our Forest Science graduates include: Environmental Technician, Forester, Restoration Manager, Wildland Firefighter, Arborist, Natural Resource Technician, Restoration Technician, Physical Scientist, and Researcher.
Top employers include the US Fish and Wildlife Service, State of Wisconsin, Stantec Consulting Services Inc., Citizens for Conservation, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Pike Lumbar Company LLC, Heartwood Tree Company, and Bartlett Tree Care Company.
The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics website provides an overview of the types of jobs related to forestry as well as upcoming trends, and related careers. Please visit the Conservation Scientists and Foresters page.
For More Information
- Careers available to Forest Science and Wildlife Ecology students – visit the Internship & Job Resources page
- Academic, co-curricular, financial aid and career opportunities and services available to Forest Science BS students – visit the CALS Career Services page