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Academic Programs

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Seven degrees, infinite possibilities.

The College of Forestry offers seven distinct undergraduate programs, administered through three separate academic departments, which lead to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.  Although each program has a specific area of focus, all programs provide a well-rounded education and a solid foundation for future growth. To browse through our offered programs, just use the list below, and if you would like to learn more about the individual program, follow the links provided with each description.

Also, be sure to check out our five undergraduate minor programs as well if you are interested in supplementing your current major with a forestry minor.

 

 

Department of Forest Engineering, Resources and Management

Department of Forest Ecosystems & Society

Department of Wood Science & Engineering

College of Forestry Undergraduate Minor Programs

An important note: in addition to the requirements for admission to OSU*, students interested in our undergraduate programs will be best prepared by taking a well-balanced college preparatory curriculum in high school.  Additional courses in math, communications, biology and chemistry will provide a stronger background to your degree program.

*Entering first year students: English (4 units): four years English language, literature, speaking, and writing; Mathematics (3 units): 1st year algebra, two additional years of college preparatory mathematics; Social Studies (3 units): one year U.S. history, one year global studies and one year social studies elective; Science (2 units): one year each of two different preparatory sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, or earth and physical science (laboratory experience recommended); Foreign Language (2 units): two years of the same high school-level language or demonstrated proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL). Beginning Fall 2008, three units of college preparatory science will be required.

 

 

Forest Engineering (FE) & Forest Engineering/Civil Engineering (FE/CE) Undergraduate Programs

 

"As a student in the dual forest and civil engineering program in the College of Forestry, I learned about the management of our precious forests from an engineering perspective. The well-rounded program allowed me to study subjects from ecology to structural theory and never go more than few days without working in the woods!" 

-Claire Rogan, FE/CE Alumna


Forest engineers carry out a wide range of engineering tasks associated with the management of forest lands. These include designing and constructing roads, bridges, culverts and other structures, developing logging plans and adapting logging systems to achieve quality resource management. Forest engineers are in high demand and they play a vital role in protecting forest soils, water and other sensitive forest resources.

The Forest Engineering and Forest Engineering/Civil Engineering degree programs prepare graduates to plan and implement complex forest and natural resource operations and help meet global demands for wood products while sustain water resources, forest resources and wildlife habitats. As a graduate, you will be highly sought after by private timber companies, state and federal public land agencies and forestry consultants. Other careers include harvest unit design, forest road location and design, contract inspection and administration, cost analysis and forest transportation system design and management.

To learn more, visit the following links:

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Curricular changes to our Forest Management and Forest Operations Management programs are effective  Summer 2013.  These two programs will be combined into a new Forestry program with two options (areas of focus) available: one in Management and one in Operations.

 

Forestry (FOR) Undergraduate Program

The new Forestry program prepares you for a career managing one of Earth's most important natural resources: its forests.  Two options (areas of focus) are available: Management and Operations.

The Management option requires knowledge about and the ability to understand the complex patterns of forest growth, the rich diversity of forest ecosystems and the ways in which people use forests and natural resources. Students who study forest management genuinely enjoy the forest environment and love to work outdoors.  You will have the opportunity to work for private timber and forest product companies, government agencies and environmental organizations. Your career can focus on fire management, forest economics, resource planning, silviculture or consulting among many other options.

As a student in the Operations option, you will play a vital role in protecting soils, water and other sensitive forest resources while creating economically efficient operations in the evolving forest land ownership structure in Oregon and throughout the nation. Professionals carry out a wide range of tasks associated with active management on forest lands by fulfilling roles as project managers for logging or silvicultural contracting service firms, as consultants or as company or agency contract administrators that supervise a growing contracted workforce. You will find opportunities in owning or managing a contracting business that provides silviculture, harvesting or transportation system services to larger companies or agencies. You may also be employed by these companies or agencies to administer contracts and manage operations. You will use your business and forestry education to help maintain competitive forest businesses in the Pacific Northwest.


"I really like Forest Management because of the emphasis it places on natural resource systems and how to manage them from many aspects. It blends into my previous work experiences with federal and state agencies. Also, I was able to easily plan my transfer to OSU ahead of time with the advisors, which made for a smooth transition." 

-Sarah Gillis, FM Undergraduate Student

 

"I am focusing on Forest Operations Management because I get more than just the forestry aspect of a forestry degree.  I'm able to study the business aspect as well and can apply my knowledge of physical forest characteristics to the corporate world.  I will be able to better 'sell' my management plans if I have the appropriate business lingo to do so."

-Christiana Kittel, FOM Undergraduate Student

 
More information including an advising guide and detailed curriculum will be available in spring 2013.

 

To learn more, visit the following links:

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Natural Resources (NR) Undergraduate Program


"The Natural Resource program offers a wide spectrum of classes that allow students to tailor the major to their specific interests. I chose to study Natural Resources because I don't think that natural beauty can be matched by anything else. With this in mind, really why would I not choose this major?"

-Max Blasdel, NR Undergraduate Student

 

As global populations increase, concern for the sustainability of natural resources is becoming imperative. The Natural Resources program provides students with a working knowledge of a broad span of natural resources, their diversity and interdependence and the critical relationships between humans and their environment. Students interested in an interdisciplinary approach to natural resources and a career dealing with land use, water resources, environmental policy, forest or arid land ecology, natural resource education and related endeavors may find this program suited to their career and life goals.

As an NR graduate, you can find employment with public land management agencies and non-governmental organizations in a wide variety of settings such as environmental groups, legislative bodies concerned with land use policy and law, public relations organizations and a range of public education activities.

For more information, visit these links:

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Recreation Resource Management (RRM) Undergraduate Program

 

"The faculty and the students involved in the Recreation Resource Management program are what make it great; everyone is open and willing to talk and share their knowledge and resources with one another. With the tools I have acquired during my time at OSU, I have been able to work in many exciting settings, including with Smokey the Bear!"

-Avery Kool, RRM Undergraduate Student

 

The United States devotes more of its public lands for recreation use than any other country, so it is natural that those who manage these areas are concerned with the planning, management and overall sustainability of these unique recreation resources. For over 30 years, the recreation resource Management program has been preparing students to meet the challenges of providing quality recreation opportunities to visitors at museums, parks and other public-use facilities.

As a RRM graduate, you will find employment with federal and state land management agencies or as a consultant. You may also find opportunities as a recreation guide for outdoor and sporting companies, a ranger, a naturalist, a resource planner or an environmental educator. Furthermore, careers as a wildland law enforcement officer, ecotourism planner or nature-based tourism specialists are also options.

For more information, visit these links:

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Tourism & Outdoor Leadership (TOL) Undergraduate Program (OSU Cascades Campus Only)

 

Natural resources are increasingly being recognized for their potential to contribute to personal well-being through outdoor recreation and to provide business opportunities in tourism and outdoor leadership. Students who graduate with the skills to develop and manage tourism and outdoors programs or enterprises will fill a growing niche in the economy.

Tourism provides approximately 90,000 jobs in Oregon alone. You may find a career in environmental interpretation, outdoor recreation programming, entrepreneurship, tourism policy analysis and international tour guiding.

For more information, visit these links:

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Renewable Materials (RM) Undergraduate Program

 

"The faculty and staff  in the CoF's Department of Wood Science & Engineering are really helpful and willing to work with you to develop your own path towards graduation. The Renewable Materials program offers a lot of flexibility to study other fields while still focusing on creating a sustainable wood products industry."

-James Boulger, RM Undergraduate Student

 

A sustainable world requires greater use of green, renewable materials and the demand for college graduates who know how to efficiently produce, market and use these materials is increasing as a result. Renewable materials are quite diverse, including wood, bamboo, straw and many other plant-based materials. Sustainably and efficiently meeting the demand for these materials requires innovative scientists, engineers and business people who want to make a difference.

As a RM graduate, you can find personally and financially rewarding careers with employers of all sizes in locations ranging from small towns to major cities. Our graduates find jobs all over Oregon and the Northwest and even around the globe.

For more information, visit these links:

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College of Forestry, Oregon State University
140 Peavy Hall, Corvallis, OR  97331
Tel: 541-737-1594
Fax: 541-737-2668
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