Guide To Majors
A Career Planning Tool
Smith Career Center (0128)
Corner of Washington Street and West Campus Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061
phone (540) 231-6241
fax (540) 231-8018
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Printer-friendly report for Forestry
Related information:
| Description of Major | Department Contacts | Change of Major Process | Graduate Study | Career Resources |
| Skills Developed | Entry-level Opportunities | Getting Experience | VT CareerLink | Post-Graduation Report |
Forestry: Description of Major
The Department of Forestry prepares students for careers in various aspects of the production, maintenance, and utilization of forests for their commercial and social values. The forestry major has four options: forest resource management, industrial forestry operations, environmental resource management, and urban forestry.
Forest resource management is the basic professional forestry option. The course work provides the background necessary for making sound decisions concerning the sustainable management of forested land.
The industrial forestry operations program combines the production and business aspects of forestry. It is designed for students interested in wood fiber acquisition for forest products industries. This option provides the necessary background for traditional forestry roles as well as management positions in the forest industry.
The environmental resource management program provides a broad background in renewable natural resources. The program is forestry-based, but allows additional course work in soils, wetlands, environmental law, outdoor recreation, fisheries and wildlife management, and the urban forest. The program is designed for students interested in employment with public agencies or private industry and firms facing forest-based environmental issues.
Graduates of the urban forestry option handle the ecological and biological characteristics of the forest in an urban environment, as well as the managerial and political context within forest management.
Program Areas / Concentrations / Options:
Environmental Resource Management
This option provides professionals with the skills to tackle a wide variety of environmental issues. In addition to a solid background in forest resource management, students acquire background in environmental law, policy and planning, environmental economics, and soils.
Graduates are qualified for employment with public agencies, private industry, and firms that are faced with forest-based environmental issues, which might include the protection of forested wetlands, endangered species, the forested urban-rural interface, and forest sustainability
Forest Resource Management
This option emphasizes the biology and economics needed to make sound management decisions about renewable forest resources. Emphasis is placed on the regeneration, growth, protection, management, and sustainability of forest ecosystems.
Efficient management of forest resources is stressed throughout the curriculum. Students are well prepared for jobs in the forest industry, public agencies, tree care companies, and a wide range of other forestland-owning companies.
Industrial Forestry Operations
This option is designed to preprare undergraduate students for an active role in assuring that the sale, harvest, and conversion of standing timber to products is done in an efficient, economic, safe, and environmentally sound manner.
Students acquire a solid background in natural resource management integrated with business, engineering, and legal courses. They are well prepared for jobs in the forest industry, national and state forest services, forestry consulting firms, and the equipment industry.
Urban Forestry
Students will acquire many of the traditional forestry skills, but will take specific additional courses that will address the many biological, social, economic, and political issues that are part of urban forest management. Additional courses are taken in horticulture, landscape architecture, entomology, pathology, and urban affairs and planning.
The urban forest provides environmental and economic benefits to almost every town and city in the United States. The Urban Forestry Option prepares students for a career in the care and management of these urban forests and landscapes.
Graduates of this curriculum will be prepared to work for employers such as tree care companies and with state, county, and municipal governments.