Executing searches with no text in the Search Terms entry field will render no results.
print page

Forest Ecology and Biogeosciences

Forest Ecology and Biogeosciences Undergraduate Curricular Requirements

Forest Ecology and Biogeosciences Academic Minor Requirements

Forest Ecology and Biogeosciences Undergraduate Academic Certificate Requirements

Forest Ecology and Biogeosciences Graduate Degree Programs

Jo Ellen Force, Dept. Head (204 CNR Bldg. 83844-1133; phone 208/885-7952; fores@uidaho.edu). Forest Resources Faculty: Mark D. Coleman, Stephen P. Cook, Steven Daley Laursen, Anthony S. Davis, Lauren Fins, Jo Ellen Force, Paul E. Gessler, Philip E. Higuera, Kathleen L. Kavanagh, Timothy E. Link, Gary E. Machlis, Ronald L. Mahoney, John D. Marshall, Penelope Morgan, A. George Newcombe, Jay O'Laughlin, Alistair Smith, David Tank. Adjunct Faculty: Cort Anderson, Chad Hoffman, Mark Kimsey, Robert L. Mahler, Jean E. McKendry, J. Michael Scott, Eva Strand, Lee Vierling, Michael R. Whiteman, Jeerapun Worapong. Rangeland Ecology and Management Faculty: Stephen C. Bunting, James L. Kingery, Karen L. Launchbaugh, Ronald Robberecht, Kenneth D. Sanders, Eva K. Strand, Lee A. Vierling.

The Department of Forest Ecology and Biogeosciences offers programs leading to the degrees of: Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources; Master of Science (thesis and non-thesis options); and Doctor of Philosophy with a major in natural resources (administered at the college level for all departments).

Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources. Forestry is "managing and using for human benefit the forest lands and natural resources that occur on and in association with forest lands." These benefits may include values, services, or products such as stable human communities, aesthetics, biodiversity, recreational opportunities, clean water and air, soil protection, forage, fish and wildlife, medicinal and ornamental items, wood products, and many others. One-third of the nation's land area and 40 percent of Idaho's land area are forested. Present-day forest management requires professionals highly trained in an interdisciplinary approach that adapts to scientific developments and sociological and economic constraints while sustaining healthy forest ecosystems.

The instructional goal of the Department of Forest Ecology and Biogeosciences is to provide both undergraduate and graduate students of all ethnicities and nationalities with a high-quality general education and the professional knowledge of significant concepts, multiple use principles, social factors, and technical details of forest resources biology, measurements, management, and social science to effectively manage forest resources.

To attain this goal, the departmental faculty and administration will: emphasize the dynamic nature of the sciences and technologies by teaching new concepts and methods and revising the curriculum as necessary; stress understanding rather than rote learning of facts and principles; provide challenging programs to develop individual talents and interests; maintain class sizes in laboratory and field-oriented courses at a level commensurate with instructional effectiveness; maintain student-faculty ratios that allow for more personalized instruction and advising; expand and improve instructional facilities; develop more efficient and effective instructional techniques; expand field-oriented programs, especially at the Experimental Forest and the Forest Nursery, at Moscow and other field stations; encourage and assist students in finding seasonal professional employment and opportunities for involvement in student clubs and professional organizations; and encourage development and research programs for faculty to increase their abilities to pass their knowledge on to others.

The forest resources curriculum not only provides students with an interdisciplinary education, but also the opportunity to emphasize areas of individual interest, such as ecology, forest ecosystem processes, forest social sciences, computer applications in forestry, aerial-photo interpretation (remote sensing), geographic information systems, silviculture, forest genetics and tree improvement, protection against insects, disease, and fire, tree nursery management, and other specialties by selective use of elective credits.

The educational program, leading to the Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources, is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). SAF is the specialized accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Post-secondary Accreditation as the accrediting agency for forestry in the United States.

Fire Ecology, Management and Technology Academic Certificate. This 15-credit certificate program is designed for traditional and non-traditional students who would like to receive more depth than a few courses in the concepts, science and tools currently used in fire ecology and management, or for those seeking educational requirements required for federal employment. After completing this certificate program students will be able to apply sound science to solving complex issues facing fire management. Many of our students combine this certificate with a Masters of Natural Resources, MS or PhD. Others have combined this with the Restoration Ecology Certificate program.

Students can transfer up to 12 approved credits taken as a non-degree seeking student into a MS or PhD program in the College of Natural Resources with permission of the departmental graduate committee. Students who are considering transferring non-degree credits into a CNR graduate program should request early advising from the appropriate department.

Students who wish to work towards this certificate program must be admitted to the University of Idaho as either a degree-seeking or non-degree seeking student. Once admitted you may register for courses online. We strongly recommend that you contact us at fire@uidaho.edu to talk to an advisor who will help you develop an individualized program of study to help meet your educational needs. Note that there is an additional fee for all online courses and for some campus-based courses and that there is no additional fee for part-time non-resident students who are taking online courses. For more information please contact us. Some courses have additional fees.

For additional information please visit the following website: www.cnr.uidaho.edu/wildlandfire.

Graduate Programs. Graduate programs are offered in many forest specializations, including administration/policy, ecology/ecosystem processes, extension, fire ecology/management, genetics/tree improvement/ecogenetics, hydrology/watershed management, mensuration/inventory, nursery management, remote sensing/geographic information systems, silviculture, sociology of natural resources, forest ecosystem management/sustainable forestry, tree physiology, restoration/conservation biology, environmental studies/management, forest protection/entomology/pathology, and regeneration.

Admission to the graduate program is based on: evidence of ability to complete graduate-level work as discerned from undergraduate transcripts, the applicant's statement of career objectives, and letters of recommendation; the compatibility of the student's educational and career objectives with faculty expertise and departmental objectives; and availability of graduate faculty to act as major advisor for an applicant. The GRE is required. An undergraduate degree related to our programs is also recommended but an applicant may be accepted with the understanding that certain course deficiencies may be required by the student's advisory committee.

The term RANGELAND was invented in the United States to describe the extensive, unforested lands dominating the western half of the continent. Rangelands around the world are known by many names including prairie, plains, grassland, shrubland, savanna, steppe, desert, semi-desert, sward, tundra, and alpine. These many types of rangeland together form about half of the earth's land surface. Idaho is 48% rangeland. Limited precipitation, generally sparse vegetation, sharp climatic extremes, highly variable soils, frequent salinity, and diverse topography characterize the kind of land called RANGELAND.

Rangelands produce a wide variety of goods and services desired by society, including livestock forage, wildlife habitat, water, mineral resources, wood products, wild-land recreation, open space, and natural beauty. The geographic extent and many important resources of rangelands make their proper use and management vitally important to people everywhere.

The Department of Forest Ecology and Biogeosciences in the College of Natural Resources offers a program leading to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Rangeland Ecology and Management with career tracks in rangeland conservation, restoration ecology, invasive species, watershed management, riparian ecology, wildlife habitat ecology, and landscape ecology. In addition, the Department offers a B.S. Degree in Fire Ecology and Management in cooperation with the Forest Resources Department. Studies in rangeland ecology and management are founded on a solid understanding of biology, ecology, soils, and vegetation. Field study and evaluation of plant and animal communities are integral parts of the curriculum in rangeland ecology and management. Internships with public land management agencies and private livestock enterprises add to the educational opportunities in the program.

Rangeland managers enjoy careers with a variety of private organizations and government agencies. State and federal land management agencies, such as the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and State Departments of Lands, hire rangeland professionals to oversee the management of public rangelands. Wildlife management agencies also hire range managers to maintain and improve wildlife habitat. Private land owners employ range consultants and managers to oversee livestock operations, enhance hunting programs, maintain forage resources and control weeds. Biological assessment companies require the careful measurement and assessment of vegetation resources, therefore they often hire rangeland professionals. A growing number of rangeland professionals work as natural resource facilitators to bring rangeland stakeholders together to craft plans for environmental stewardship. The Rangeland Ecology and Management Department at the University of Idaho holds a record of greater than 85% of students graduating with a B.S. in the last 10 years securing careers in natural resource management or advancing to graduate school.

Because of the extent, character, and importance of Idaho's rangelands, excellent opportunities exist for graduate study in all phases of rangeland use and management. Graduate students may earn a Master of Science degree in Natural Resoueces or the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Natural Resources. The graduate program allows for a diversity of courses from a variety of fields such as rangeland ecology, wildlife, animal science, soils, agricultural economics, forestry, fire ecology and others.

Further information can be obtained from the department head (208/885-7952).

Courses

See Part 6 for courses in Forest Resources (For) and Rangeland Ecology and Management (REM).