This program is available at the following location:

• Corvallis

Options available:

• Forest Management
• Forest Operations Management
• Forest Restoration and Fire

The successful forester must understand the biological and physical processes of forest ecosystems, as well as the social, economic, and operational forces that influence forest policies and management actions. The forestry core curriculum includes basic courses in the biological, physical, social sciences, and six months of work experience as well as professional courses designed to prepare students to manage forest resources.

Students are required to select one of the following required options:

• Forest Restoration and Fire
• Forest Management
• Forest Operations Management

The Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF).

Major Code: 820

Pre-Forestry Major Code: 810

Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:

• Demonstrate knowledge of forest ecology and silviculture principles to understand how forests and forested watersheds respond to natural disturbances or management activities.
• Develop skills in geospatial analysis, basic surveying, mapping and GIS.
• Demonstrate ability to measure and inventory forest vegetation with precision and accuracy.
• Develop an understanding of forestry investment analysis and be able to evaluate typical financial investments in forestry.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the development and execution of strategic, tactical and operational forest plans that support achievement of desired future stand conditions and strategic goals.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the social and political context of forestry and be able to describe current policies , laws, and regulations governing the management of forest lands.

In addition to the listed courses, all students are required to complete a total of six months of satisfactory employment in an area related to their major. This is usually accomplished by two or more summers of work, but it may include work during the academic year. Work performance and personal conduct are thoroughly appraised by the College of Forestry.

Six months of forestry or related natural resource work experience and completion of an option is required in the forestry degree program. The option courses complement the forestry core and serve to fulfill the 180 credits for graduation.

Pre-Professional Forestry Program

Admission to the pre-professional program requires that a student be admitted as a degree-seeking undergraduate or post-baccalaureate level student at Oregon State University. Courses included in the first and sophomore years comprise a pre-professional program of study that produces a solid foundation for professional program studies at the junior and senior levels. The pre-professional program may be taken at Oregon State University or at any accredited college or university that offers equivalent courses transferable to OSU.

Professional Forestry Program

Successful completion of the pre-professional program will result in acceptance into the professional program. This requires selection of an option and:

1. a grade of "C" or better in all pre-professional courses required for entry into the professional program (marked with 2 on the course list). Grade repeat (replacement) policy will follow OSU Academic Regulation 20.
2. a minimum GPA of 2.25 based on the pre-professional courses (or transfer equivalents) satisfactorily completed.

Admission to the professional program will be granted for students meeting the admission requirements prior to fall term of the junior year. Application for the professional program will be made as of the end of winter term for the following fall term.

Enrollment in professional program courses is restricted to those students who have clearly demonstrated an ability to achieve the standards required for professional studies. The number of students admitted to the program is determined based on available resources. Students meeting the minimum Pre-Forestry GPA of 2.25 may or may not be admitted depending on available resources.

Students who have completed their pre-professional studies at a college or university other than Oregon State University must apply both to the OSU Office of Admissions for admission to OSU as a degree-seeking undergraduate or post-baccalaureate student and to the College of Forestry for admission to the professional program. Application forms and information on policies and programs are available on the College of Forestry website.

Students who have not satisfactorily completed all of the pre-professional courses when they apply may be provisionally accepted to the professional program. Final acceptance is contingent on completion of any remaining pre-professional course work with grade of "C" or better by the end of the summer term prior to entrance into the professional program. Students who receive provisional acceptance and then fail to attain "C" or better grades in any remaining pre-professional course work prior to the beginning of fall term will be re-directed to the pre-professional forestry program.

All courses required for admission to the professional program must be completed before entering the professional program. Students may only enter the professional program for fall term each academic year.

The professional program begins with Forestry Field School during the two weeks prior to the first fall term of the professional program.

Pre-Forestry

Grade standards for the pre-professional program (as listed in the program description) apply.

Professional Forestry

All students pursuing the BS in Forestry must:

1. Earn grades of "C" or better in all required professional forestry major courses.
2. Maintain a 2.0 GPA in all major coursework.
3. Accrue a minimum of 180 total credits for graduation.

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Baccalaureate Core Course (BCC)

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Writing Intensive Course (WIC)

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Core Education course. Applies only to students admitted to an OSU undergraduate degree from Summer 2025 onwards

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Required for entry into the professional program

Major Code: 820

Pre-Forestry Major Code: 810

Degree plans are subject to change and the following is only an example of how students may complete their degree in four years. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best degree plan for them. Contact details for advisors can be found on the Academic Advising page.

Forest Management Option

Forest Operations Management 

Forest Restoration and Fire