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Forestry

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School of Natural Resources
124 Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building
Columbia, MO 65211
Phone: 573-882-1730
Fax: 573-884-2636
E-mail: SNR@missouri.edu
 
Major Curriculum*
Course Credit
First Semester
Introductory Meteorology 3
General Botany 5
English Composition 3
Computer Applications and Beginning GIS 3
 
Second Semester
Agricultural Economics 3
General Chemistry I 2
Ecology and Renewable Resource Mgt. 3
Geology 4
History or Political Science 3
 
Third Semester
Dendrology 4
Fire Ecology and Use 2
Wood Utilization 3
General Chemistry II 3
Calculus 3
 
Fourth Semester
Forest Health 4
Statistics 3
Introduction to Soils 3
Soil Science Laboratory 2
Humanities Elective 3
   
Summer Field Studies 3
 
Fifth Semester
Forest Ecology 4
Natural Resources Biometrics 3
Forest Information Systems 3
Tree Physiology 3
Humanities Elective 3
 
Sixth Semester
Silviculture 3
Natural Resource Policy 3
Principles of Interpretive Outdoor Recreation 3
Forest Economics 3
Humanities Elective 3
 
Seventh Semester
Watershed Management 3
Forest Resource Management 3
Principles of Wildlife Management 3
Other Electives 6
 
Eighth Semester
Practicum 3
Social Science Elective 3
Other Electives 8
 
*Individual degree program may vary.
 
Note: The Forestry program also offers emphasis areas in Forest Resource Management, Individualized Studies, Industrial Forest Management and Urban Forestry.
 
Minor Curriculum
  • The minor requires a minimum of 15 credit hours of coursework in the Forestry curriculum.
  • Nine of the required hours must be taken in classes numbered at the 3000 level or above from the following courses:
    • Forestry 2151: Dendrology (4) (required of all students)
    • Forestry 3240: Wood Technology (3)
    • Forestry 3207: Forest Fire Control and Use (2)
    • Forestry 3290: Urban Forestry (2)
    • Forestry 4320: Forest Ecology (3, 1)
    • Forestry 4330: Practice of Silviculture (3)
    • Forestry 4360: Forest Information Systems (3)
    • Forestry 4390: Watershed Management and Water Quality (3)
    • Forestry 4350: Forest Economics (3)
 

Being a forester is more than just working with trees. Foresters are stewards of the land. They not only care about the trees, but they also care about the land the trees grow on and the other plants and animals that live in the forest.

Forestry

If you're interested in protecting wildlife habitat and the environment while meeting the ever-growing human demand for wood products, clean water, outdoor recreation and scenic beauty, then a career in forestry is right for you.

Career Opportunities

A bachelor's of science degree in forestry from the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) will provide you with all the skills you'll need to succeed in a wide variety of forestry careers.

You can individualize your degree program by choosing a degree option that prepares you for the career field that most interests you. Some forestry careers you might consider include:

  • Forest Resource Managers often are employed by state and federal agencies, such as the Missouri Department of Conservation and the U.S. Forest Service, to manage public forests. They are responsible for promoting forest health, increasing biodiversity, protecting endangered species and providing wildlife habitat.
  • Urban Foresters work for cities and other municipalities. They are responsible for maintaining and improving the health and appearance of trees found in parks and other public spaces. Urban Foresters also work with citizens to plan neighborhood tree plantings, to protect trees during development, and to answer various forestry questions.
  • Industrial Forest Managers work for private companies that produce wood products, such as Georgia Pacific and International Paper. They are responsible for managing industrial forests to produce high-quality timber products in an environmentally responsible way. These foresters ensure that their forests produce all the materials the world demands from the timber industry.

Research/Internship Opportunities

As a forestry student, your chances to gain real-world field experience through research and internships are almost as limitless as the trees you'll work with.

Forestry

As part of your technical training, you'll spend six weeks during the summer in field studies at University Forest in the Ozark forests of southeast Missouri.

You can spend a summer working side-by-side with MU forestry faculty on research such as the Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project (MOFEP) or any of a number of multidisciplinary studies.

Opportunities for internships also exist with state and federal agencies, such as the Missouri Department of Conservation and the U.S. Forest Service, and with private companies in the forest industry, such as Georgia Pacific and International Paper.

Get Involved on Campus

Want to have fun and develop your leadership skills and professional contacts at the same time? Then join one or more of the College’s student clubs and organizations. There are more than 30 to choose from, and each gives you the opportunity to apply what you’re learning in the classroom while making lifelong friends.

  • Forestry Club: The Forestry Club gives students a chance to learn more about forestry and related activities. It is open to students of all majors. Activities include annual lumber-jacking competitions and tree sales. We operate our own Christmas Tree Farm and offer scholarships to students from funds generated by tree sales. Club members also enjoy other events, such as an annual float trip, softball games, barbecues, etc.

    School of Natural Resources
    124 ABNR, 573-882-1730

  • Society of American Foresters student chapter provides its members with the opportunity to interact with forestry professionals, to discuss current topics in the field and to learn more about possible career options.

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