Forestry - Michigan State University

Forestry from Michigan State University is a Campus Bachelor Forestry degree that prepares you for a Science career. Forest ecosystems, which comprise about one-third of the land area of the United States, are an extremely valuable resource that benefit society in many ways. They provide the renewable resource base for essential forest products, forage, and wildlife habitat. Forests stabilize stream flow, reducing soil erosion, floods, and avalanches, and are important in the regulation of air temperature in urban and rural settings. Forests also play a critical role in maintaining a proper carbon dioxide balance in the earth's atmosphere and are valued for their aesthetic enrichment of our lives and for the widespread opportunities for outdoor recreation they provide. Forestry is the science and art of managing the natural resources that occur on and in association with forested lands in both the urban and rural landscape. These resources include trees, other plants, animals, soil, minerals, and climate and related air and water. The practice of forestry means management for specific objectives, whether timber production, recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, forage, water regulation, preservation for scientific studies and special uses, or combinations of these uses. Foresters are employed in a variety of settings. Many choose careers with industry, working for large multinational forest products companies or for smaller producers of forest products. Others work for public land management agencies, such as the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Soil Conservation Service, or state departments of natural resources. Conservation organizations, such as the Wilderness Society or Sierra Club, have foresters on their staffs. Foresters with an international interest work for the Peace Corps or other international organizations. Still others find rewarding careers with municipal forestry organizations or with private tree and shrub-care companies. Finally, many foresters pursue additional education and careers in science: ecology, forest genetics, wood science, soils science, biometry, economics, and many others. Students in this major must meet the requirements for one of the following five concentrations: Forest Resource Management, Urban and Community Forestry , Wood Products Manufacturing and Marketing, Forest Conservation and Environmental Studies, or Forest Sciences. Forest Resource Management. Around the world, unprotected and unmanaged forests are being depleted and destroyed. Management is required to sustain our forests, and Michigan State University's forest management concentration provides the in-depth understanding of natural and social sciences necessary to manage forest ecosystems. Through hands-on laboratory experiences and field studies, students develop the ability to manage forests for goals ranging from providing biological diversity to producing timber and creating desired wildlife habitat. Students who elect the forest resource management concentration acquire the skills necessary to evaluate and take action to ensure the ecological, economic, and social sustainability of forests. They find employment with public land management agencies, private organizations, the forest products industry, consulting firms, and trade associations. This concentration is fully accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). Students who complete the Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry with this concentration are eligible for full membership in the SAF. Urban and Community Forestry . The urban and community forestry concentration focuses on the forests in communities where people live. This concentration has courses that provide an understanding of the biological aspects of urban forestry and the care and maintenance of individual trees, focus on understanding the dynamics of working with people and communities, and prepare graduates to develop, manage, and work in urban tree care companies. Students will be prepared to work in the tree-care industry, as municipal foresters, or in other positions with public agencies and community groups. Wood Products Manufacturing and Marketing. The forest product industry is in need of people who understand the business of wood products. Professionals in forest products are well paid and are in high demand. Students who elect this concentration will find employment in manufacturing, marketing, management, technical service and research. Employment in this area requires high-level skills in management and marketing, a broad technical background in processing operations, and a fundamental understanding of wood properties. This concentration is multi-disciplinary and offers knowledge of fundamental wood science and technology including the biological, chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of wood, and processing operations including wood gluing, wood preservation, and wood modification. Study of manufacturing processes and engineered wood composites prepares graduates to become leaders in the forest products industries. Forest Conservation and Environmental Studies. This concentration focuses on conservation and forest ecology and technical aspects of forest management. Students receive a strong scientific preparation for understanding natural resource issues. This concentration emphasizes the development of analytical and communications skills necessary to create a positive interchange of ideas between forestry professionals and non-technical audiences. Students in this concentration gain an understanding of forest systems and forest dynamics, a well as human interactions with the environment, and our ability to sustain, enhance, rehabilitate, and conserve forests. Basic scientific training in chemistry, physics, biology, and ecology and specialized courses in forest biology, soils, and conservation are required. Additional course work in natural resource economics and social science, natural resource law, environmental communication, international forestry , and a range of electives allow students to develop their interests in alignment with personal career goals. The professional skills developed through the Forest Conservation and Environmental Studies concentration will enable graduates to make significant contributions to resolving preservation and use issues. Forest Science. The forest science concentration is designed for students electing scientific study of a discipline of forestry. Disciplines may include biometry, botany, ecology, economics, entomology, genetics, hydrology, management science, forest physiology, silviculture, social science, soil science, or wood science. The forest science concentration is intended primarily for students planning to pursue science careers, obtain graduate degrees, and work in education, industry or institutional research positions. For admission as a junior to the forest science concentration, students must have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.25. To apply, students must meet with a Department of Forestry faculty advisor to prepare a program of 18 credits that is approved by the student's advisor, the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, and the department chairperson. View more details on Michigan State University . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Forestry courses.