Undergraduate Programs

Does Forestry Fit Your Interests?

Are you interested in working outdoors in a natural setting? Are you seeking a career that combines ecology, the environment and science-based decision making? Do you enjoy working with people? If so, than you may find a career in forest conservation and management to be especially rewarding.

The profession of forestry has often been described as a blend of "art and science." Forest managers rely upon the ideas and tools of science to inventory and manage forest resources - trees, wildlife, water and other resources. Forest lands vast or small must be mapped and inventoried, often using the latest technology such as geographic information systems (GIS) and satellite imagery. Using this data base, a forester must integrate many potential resource uses such as wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, protected areas and timber production while at the same time maintaining biological diversity and environmental quality. A forester might also select trees to be cut to improve existing stands, monitors insect and disease conditions, and advise private landowners on tree planting and forest management practices.

There are opportunities to become a resource management specialist, too. Some foresters specialize in ecology, silviculture, or monitoring forest health. Others specialize in genetics, remote sensing or environmental policy. Some of our graduates have used their degree as a foundation for further study in environmental law or resource economics.

Job Opportunities in Forestry

The United States has some of the largest and most productive forests in the world. Forest resources of all kinds are in increasing demand as the public demands more recreational land, more esthetic experiences and more wood and fiber. Forest resources represent the primary source of employment in 28 Wisconsin counties, and Wisconsin continues to lead the nation in the production of many wood-based commodities.

Our graduates work for the Wisconsin DNR, the U. S. Forest Service, county governments, the National Park Service, and numerous other state and federal agencies. Forest products industries, urban communities, and private consulting firms are also leading employers. Placement rates for our graduates in natural resource positions continue to average 80% for students with a B.S. degree and nearly 100% for students with an M.S. or Ph.D. degree.

The Forest Science Program

The Forest Ecology and Management Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has excellent teaching, research and computing facilities. There is a high standard of teaching in the department. Five forestry professors have received awards for excellence in teaching and advising, including two national awards for forestry instruction. Classes often have fewer than 20 students, ensuring that each student receives individual attention. Each student has a faculty adviser, and many students work part-time or summers for faculty assisting with a variety of research projects.

Students also participate in a variety of educational opportunities away from the Madison campus, including a three-week introduction to forest ecosystems in northern Wisconsin, a 10-day trip to visit forests in the southern U.S., numerous internship and summer research opportunities, and a very active 'study abroad' program. During the past decade, more than 15% of our students have completed an international study abroad experience of one or more semesters. Students are encouraged to join the Forestry Club, which is the University of Wisconsin-Madison's student chapter of the Society of American Foresters. Travel to professional meetings and special outings to improve field skills are among the frequent activities.

Our Forest Science major has four options that provide students with opportunities to customize their education:

- Students interested in a 'traditional' forestry program usually enter the Forest Management Track that emphasizes coursework in silviculture, inventory methods and management decision making. Students in this track often aspire to work as field foresters for public agencies or as consultants

- Students whose primary interest is biological conservation are advised to consider the Forest Conservation Track. Students here complete a subset of forest management courses together with additional coursework in ecology and biological diversity, conservation biology and resource policy and planning. Careers with organizations such as The Nature Conservancy or work with endangered resources are a principal focus

- Students interested in ecology and research are encouraged to complete the Forest Ecology Track. This option provides a core of forestry coursework together with additional chemistry, ecology and basic biology coursework. Most of these students are interested in graduate study and careers in academic research

- Students interested in international agriculture are encouraged to complete the International Agriculture and Natural Resources Track.

Financial Assistance

The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences offers many scholarships that are available based on academic performance, need, or extracurricular loans and work study programs. For details, contact:

Office of Student Academic Services
116 Agriculture Hall
Tel: 608-262-3003; Fax: 608-265-5905
email: asa@cals.wisc.edu

For More Information:

Department of Forest Ecology and Management
1630 Linden Drive, Room 120
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI 53706 USA
Tel. (608) 262-9975 Fax (608) 262-9922
Email: forecol@calshp.cals.wisc.edu

Prospective Student Services
College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
University of Wisconsin-Madison
116 Agriculture Hall
1450 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706 USA
Tel. (608) 262-3003

Visit the College website at www.cals.wisc.edu

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an AA/EEO institution. University policies create additional protections that prohibit harassment on the basis of cultural background and ethnicity. Inquiries concerning these policies may be directed to me appropriate campus admitting or employing unit or to the Equity and Diversity Resource Center, 179-A Bascom Hall (608) 263-2378, TTY (608) 263-2473.

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Updated: 2008.04.14