College of Forestry Undergraduate Programs

The Pacific Northwest is home to a variety of tree species, including Sequoia sempervirens, also known as the coast redwood, which, while more commonly associated with northern California, is also found in southern Oregon (Photo: Greg Jacobs).

Oregon & The College of Forestry The College of Forestry is located on the beautiful main campus of Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. Nearby natural features, a thriving community, and plenty of other opportunities make the College and its surroundings an ideal place to pursue your education.

College of Forestry

The College is one of the world’s premier forestry, natural resources and renewable materials institutions and has been educating professionals for over 100 years. We offer a breadth of undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students for a wide variety of careers in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Our graduates understand the complexity of forests and natural resources and the economic and social systems that depend upon them; work with nature to keep land healthy for future generations; know the science, technology and business associated with understanding, managing, and using

forests and related resources; and to work effectively with others in a culturally diverse, global society. Our world-class faculty and modern facilities combined with remarkable access to local forests and private industry make us the educational program of choice.

Why Oregon?

The forestry industry is a huge player in Oregon’s economy, with one in every twenty jobs in the state depending on active forest management and more than seven percent of Oregon’s economic base coming from forest goods. Forests in Oregon are abundant, covering about 48 percent of the state, and are comprised of both wet and dry forests.*

Outside of forestry, Oregon is a wonderful state to spend time in. Recreation opportunities are everywhere, from hiking to cycling to kayaking and more, and our geography is some of the most diverse in the nation with great beaches,

tall peaks, high deserts, and lush valley forests. Oregon is also famous for our excellent food culture, referred to as America’s new food eden, students can explore new culinary trends and microbrews.**

In light of all this, you should really be asking yourself, “Why not?”

“If you are interested in sustainability or forestry, I think the College is worth a serious look. The College of Forestry is a small community and professors are always willing to help. I have friends in Renewable Materials, Forest Engineering, Natural Resources, Forest Management, Recreation Resource Management, and there are even more degree options beyond that!”

-Suzanne Katz, Forestry Student

*Information from theforestreport.com **Information from traveloregon.com

Forest Engineering graduates plan and implement complex forestry and natural resource operations and select the right methods and equipment for each management action (Photo: Oregon BLM).

Forest Engineering Forest engineers are the technical backbone of all forest operations, providing the skills and knowledge required to implement complex forest and natural resource operations. Whether laying out units, roads, bridges, culverts, or harvest units, forest engineers develop and adapt plans for efficiency and protection of sensitive forest resources. The FE or FE/CE degree programs at OSU are comprised of a rigorous blend of engineering concepts and forestry science, preparing students to be confident, competent professionals as they choose from an amazingly diverse spectrum of career opportunities.

Curriculum

The goal of the FE and FE/CE degree programs is to prepare graduates to plan and execute solutions to complicated forest and natural resource problems. Students are exposed to a variety of mathematics, engineering principles, forestry concepts, physics,

communications, surveying, computer skills, statistics, and planning courses during their program.

Due to the huge variety of skills and knowledge required by the degree, FE and FE/CE students do not specialize in any options or minors. Yet, FE students may choose to increase their knowledge base by enrolling in our 5-year dual degree program, in partnership with the College of Engineering, which combines the Forest Engineering degree with a Civil Engineering degree.

Whether you decide to try for one degree or two, your education packs a powerful punch in the industry. Not only is the degree program accredited by the Society of American Foresters, but also the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc., both respected and internationally recognized organizations. Students who complete the FE or FE/CE degree programs will find themselves well equipped for a promising career.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the FE degree program have a wide variety of employment opportunities with private timber companies, government agencies, and forestry consultants. Students, especially those who complete the FE/CE degree program, can also find work in other engineering fields where the same principles apply. Whatever you may want to in the engineering industry, an FE or FE/CE degree is an important first step.

“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 a few days without working in the woods!”

-Claire Rogan, Alumna

The ability to plant and manage for specific forest conditions is one of many skills taught to Forestry students (Photo: U.S. Forest Service Region 5).

Forestry Professional foresters play a critical role in understanding and protecting multiple-use natural resources. Forest managers must make decisions based on biological and economic characteristics of forests and society and communicate their findings effectively to others. Operations managers need to be able to actively manage lands with economic efficiency and with evolving markets and policy to provide timber and fiber for the nation.

Curriculum

The Forestry degree program requires students to choose an area of focus: management or operations. Students who select the management option will learn to understand complex patterns and diversity within our forests and how to manage these forests for health and productivity. Operations students will learn how to optimize forest operations to be economically rewarding, protective of the environment, and socially acceptable.

A focus on these key areas creates a stronger and more competitive forestry industry in the Pacific Northwest. Students will take courses that focus on forestry science, economics, resource planning, mathematics, physical sciences, statistics, and biology.

Professionalism

The College of Forestry is a leader for producing quality, professional graduates within the field of forestry. To enhance the professional atmosphere of the College, a pre-professional and professional school program has been implemented. Students will apply to professional school after completing the pre-professional courses and meeting the academic requirements of their option. Our graduates have a firm grasp on the knowledge and skills required of profes-sional foresters.

Career Opportunities

Numerous jobs in diverse areas of the field

of forestry exist for graduates with a degree in Forestry. Those who focused on management will have the opportunity to work for private timber companies, government agencies, environmental organizations, or even as consultants. Careers range from fire management to forest economics to silviculture and more. Students who complete the operations option will find employment as contract administrators, operations managers, or even operating their own business as a contractor.

“I would definitely suggest talking with the advisors in the College about the Forestry program or any other program. The advisors are all extremely helpful and open and honest about the programs and courses. It is best to focus on what you want from your education and then find the major that suits your ambitions. If you enjoy what you’re studying school will be a blast and will fly by.”

-Jake Thompson

Natural Resource graduates frequently engage in managing whole landscapes and ecosystems collaboratively with stakeholders (Photo: USFWS Headquarters).

Natural Resources As the global population continues to increase, sustainable use of our world’s natural resources is imperative. The Natural Resources (NR) degree program at the College of Forestry provides you 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 resource management and a career dealing with land use, water resources, environmental policy, forests, arid land ecology, natural resource education, and related endeavors may find this program well suited to their career and life goals.

Curriculum

The program goals are to incorporate an interdisciplinary approach to natural resources while focusing on the wide variety of natural resources found within the U.S. and across the world. As a result, coursework is a mix of natural resource

disciplines from the Colleges of Forestry, Agricultural Sciences, Science, and Liberal Arts. The NR degree program is incredibly flexible, allowing students to combine various areas of interest to them into their degree. Options for the NR degree reflect this customization potential, ranging from ecological restoration to geosciences and natural resources to urban forest landscapes. In all, there are 19 different options available! In addition to an option, the core curriculum of the NR degree includes courses in basic sciences, mathematics, statistics, economics, biology, ecology, and policy, providing an excellent academic foundation.

Students also have the rare choice of earning their degree at the Corvallis campus, our Cascades campus in Bend, our program at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, or online through the Ecampus program.

Career Opportunities

As an NR graduate, you’ll have the opportunity to find employment with public land management agencies and non-government organizations in a variety of settings, such as environmental groups, legislative bodies concerned with land use policy and laws, public relations organizations, and wide range of public education activities. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, you may find it more desirable to start a consulting firm and help other organizations meet their natural resource management goals.

“Unlike many programs, in which students are given little choice about the classes they take, the Natural Resources major allows students to focus on their individual interests within the broad subject.”

-Lucia Hadella

Recreation Resource Management students learn how to manage for both human use and ecological concerns (Photo: Grand Canyon NPS ).

Recreation Resource Management The United States is unique within the international community with respect to the value placed on recreation; the U.S. devotes more of its public lands to recreational uses than any other country. These natural areas require thoughtful management and care to retain and restore their ecological integrity and recreational appeal in a sustainable manner. The Recreation Resource Management Program prepares students to meet these challenges and provide quality recreation opportunities in tandem with responsible natural resource stewardship.

Curriculum

The goals of the program are to provide students with the opportunity to study the huge variety of topics and aspects involved in managing a recreation resource. To achieve this, the curriculum focuses on five separate blocks: natural resource systems, technical and field skills, social science and policy, research

and analytical techniques, and communications and negotiations. In addition to these blocks, students will also learn basic economics, mathematics, computing skills, biology, and statistics, for a well-rounded and comprehensive skillset.

In addition to core classes, students also have their pick of nine options or eight approved minors. Students can use these to focus their degree and specialize in an area of their choosing, whether it be law enforcement, environmental resource interpretation, sociology, tourism, fisheries and wildlife, business administration, or even philosophy!

Outside of the classroom, many of the labs take place in our nearby McDonald-Dunn Forest, complete with its own trail network. Students who are looking for something a little farther from home can also apply for national and international exchange programs.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program find employment readily as agency recreation managers and planners, guides, consultants, rangers, naturalists, and more. Whichever of these positions you may want, your studies in recreation will be an important first step towards attaining them.

“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! The Recreation Resource Management program is an exciting program to be a part of and I am looking forward to my future in the field!”

-Avery Kool

Renewable Materials students learn how to create and market high quality sustainable products for increasingly diverse industries and business consumers (Photo: Elijah Allensworth).

Renewable Materials (RM) For decades, the wood products industry has suffered from negative connotations of smoky mills and greedy companies, yet in truth, the industry has and continues to develop clean, responsible methods of production with less waste even as demand for wood-based products increases. To help meet the present and future needs of an industry and society both striving to be sustainable and environmentally compatible, the Renewable Materials degree program was created. Boasting flexibility, small classroom sizes, dedicated faculty and staff, and excellent student resources, Renewable Materials is perfect for students who want to help shape the future of wood products design and manufacturing.

Curriculum

The goal of the Renewable Materials program is to provide students with a specialized knowledge and broad skillset emphasizing the science and technology

concerning plant-based renewable materials.

Students are required to complete a core curriculum that focuses on micro- and macroeconomics, biology, chemistry, properties of renewable materials, global issues, manufacturing methods, construction, and bioenergy.

The program also offers a choice between two options for students: the Marketing & Management (M&M) option or the Science & Engineering (S&E) option. The M&M option includes courses in accounting, business law, marketing, management, entrepreneurship, leadership, economics, and statistics, preparing graduates to manage organizations and develop marketing strategies in the global industry. The S&E option boasts a strong technical core, requiring completion of courses in chemistry, calculus, physics, and statistics, emphasizing problem solving, efficiency, and intelligent use of renewable materials.

Career Opportunities

Graduates with a degree in Renewable Materials are in high demand and find rewarding careers in lumber mills, plywood plants, marketing directors, and even interior designers. With a degree so competent and flexible, graduates have nearly limitless opportunities.

“The forest products industry appealed to me because of the management and technology that goes into running a profitable and sustainable mill. The Wood Science & Engineering department members are really helpful, and willing to work with you to develop your own path towards graduation. The Renewable Materials program allows a lot of flexibility to study other fields, while still focusing on creating a sustainable wood products industry.”

-James Boulger, Student

Whitewater Raft Guiding is just one of the course offerings in the curriculum for Tourism and Outdoor Leadership students (Photo: David Berkowitz).

Tourism and Outdoor Leadership An often overlooked aspect of the importance of natural landscapes is the tourism it attracts. While discussions generally focus on the timber economy and wildlife restoration, a huge component of our natural resource economy is not the resources themselves, but the people who visit them. In Oregon alone, tourism provides more than 90,000 jobs. Aside from economic gains, outdoor tourism is being recognized for its potential to contribute to personal well-being as well. The TOL degree program provides the opportunity for students to be a part of this thriving industry and learn the group leadership skills required to be a successful outdoor guide or trip leader in the United States and internationally.

Curriculum

The goal of the TOL program is to give students the conceptual and applied skills to provide high quality visitor experiences and sustain the natural resources where

these experiences occur for future generations.

The core curriculum of the TOL degree focuses on several subject areas. Students are required to complete at least one skills course, such as rock climbing, challenge course practices, whitewater raft guiding, event planning, or mountaineering. In addition to physical skills, students must also take several courses computer applications and data management. Courses in psychology, business theory, risk management, leadership, communication, ecology, tourism law, first aid, and research methods. Students are also required complete an internship, which often results in job opportunities and confidence-building experiences.

To augment their degree to their interests, students must an option: Eco and Adventure Tourism, International Ecotourism, Adventure Leadership and Education, or Recreation Management.

The greatest aspect of the curriculum is that the program is offered only at the Cascades Campus in Bend, Oregon, offering students access to some of the best tourism opportunities in Oregon.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the TOL program an find employment with the government, private businesses, or even start their own firm. Environmental interpretation, outdoor recreation programming, tourism policy analysis, guiding, and more are all job sectors suited for TOL graduates.

“Follow what you’re interested in and not necessarily what the job market is. Don’t get caught up with what the jobs will pay; follow your passions. If you like working with people, with tours, with the outdoors and the idea of adventure leadership, the TOL program will serve you well.”

-Michael Gassner, Instructor

College of Forestry Student Services Office 140 Peavy Hall Corvallis, OR 97331-5710 Phone: (541) 737-1594 Fax: (541) 737-2668 forestry.oregonstate.edu forestinfo@oregonstate.edu Cover Photo by Patrick Cain