Forest Science Graduate Major (MF, MS, PhD)	Print Version
	College of Forestry | Forest Ecosystems and Society

Master of Forestry (MF) in Forest Biology

The program allows professionals in forestry to enhance their expertise by accomplishing graduate work in one of five areas of forest biology:

• Forest Wildlife Management
• Tree Improvement
• Silviculture
• Regeneration
• Vegetation Management

Master of Forestry (MF) in Silviculture

Master of Science in Sustainable Forestry and Agroforestry

Doctor of Philosophy with a Specialization in Silviculture and Harvesting

Areas of Concentration for Doctor of Philosophy or Master of Science in Forest Science

Forest Ecology: The forest ecology concentration is designed for students who wish to further their understanding of the structure and function of forest ecosystems, the response of such systems to management and to natural disturbance, and their role in regional-and global-scale phenomena. The study of forest ecosystems includes study of both the biotic and abiotic components and processes. Thus, research in the department includes work on plant, animal, and insect species interactions, plant physiological processes, microbial processes, soil chemistry, and physics, hydrology, climatology, forest-stream interactions, geomorphic processes, remote sensing, and landscape processes. Students electing the Forest Ecology option select their courses from various departments on campus including Bioengineering, Botany and Plant Pathology, Crop and Soil Science, Rangeland Ecology and Management, Fisheries and Wildlife, Geoscience, and Microbiology and the Entomology program.

Forest Genetics: The forest genetics concentration is designed for students interested in developing research skills in various aspects of the genetics and breeding of forest trees. Basic studies include forest population genetics, molecular genetics, physiological genetics, and ecological genetics. Applied aspects include tree improvement, genetic engineering, and tissue culture. A forest geneticist must have a strong background in basic genetics, evolutionary biology, forest ecology, and tree physiology. Those specializing in tree improvement must have a clear understanding of statistical theory and application. Students interested in genetic engineering need a good knowledge of gene function, developmental biology, cell biology, and tissue culture.

Forest Tree Physiology: The forest tree physiology concentration is designed to improve a student's understanding of how forest tree species function physiologically and to develop background and skills in researching physiology problems related to forestry. The student is expected to explore one aspect of physiology in depth (e.g., water relations, growth hormones, root-growth dynamics, nitrogen metabolism) as well as obtain a general knowledge over a wide range of topics in physiology and related fields.

Integrated Forest Protection: With the shift from mature forests already in place at the time of settlement to second-growth forests and plantations, the complexity of management—including pest management—is increasing. Simple pest management is neither feasible nor appropriate, and integrated preventive approaches designed to accommodate multiple resource values and ecological functions are becoming more important. The curriculum is designed to provide interdisciplinary knowledge needed for developing solutions to the complex array of pests (insects, diseases, weeds, vertebrates), their interactions with abiotic factors (fire, wind, drought, pollution, and soil conditions), and management practices (harvesting, silviculture, recreational use).

Silviculture: The silviculture concentration is designed for individuals who wish to study the application of biological and ecological principles to the management of forest ecosystems. This is the most integrative and therefore, in terms of breadth of knowledge required, the most demanding of our programs. Silviculturists must have a strong foundation in ecology, depth in silviculture, and 9 to 12 credits of specialization in one of the following graduate programs: Forest Ecology, Integrated Forest Protection, Forest Genetics, Forest Tree Physiology, Forest Resource Management or Forest Engineering (Department of Forest Engineering, Resources and Management). Students electing the Silviculture concentration select their courses from various departments on campus including Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, Agricultural Engineering, Botany, Crop and Soil Science, Fisheries and Wildlife, Geology, Microbiology, and the Entomology Program.

For more information, contact the head of the department or any faculty member.