Perry J. Brown, Dean
Donald F. Potts, Associate Dean
Education in forestry at The University of Montana began in
1913 with the founding of the School of Forestry. Through the
86 years of its existence, the School has established a national
reputation for strong educational programs based on both technical
competence and social responsibility.
Present day land management challenges range from intensive
resource utilization to organism and ecosystem preservation.
Resource professionals need a broad range of talents and perspectives
to solve present day problems and quickly adapt to address an
even more complex future. Our instructional programs produce
both specialists and broadly trained generalists, all of whom
understand the complex interrelationships between resource use
and quality of human environment.
All instructional programs emphasize interaction with practicing
professionals and opportunities to observe and participate in
current field resource management situations. Field trips are
offered in many courses. In addition, students in several options
may obtain intensive field experience through on site course
offerings in a camp setting at the Lubrecht Experimental Forest.
All students taking courses in the School of Forestry are assessed
a forestry fee each semester for travel, laboratory materials,
teaching assistants, and other instructional costs. A few courses
are exempted from this fee. (See the Class Schedule.)
High School Preparation: Students planning to enter the School
of Forestry should attain a sound high school background in
English, social studies, mathematics, biology, and other sciences.
Entering freshmen and non resident transfer students will be
admitted to the School of Forestry in accordance with general
university admissions requirements listed previously in the
catalog. See index.
Resident transfer students must have a grade point average of
2.0 or above to be admitted to the School of Forestry.
University students wanting to change their major to the School
of Forestry must have a grade point average of 2.0 or above.
Students are required to consult with their advisors before
each registration period. New students needing an advisor and
current students who wish to change advisors should contact
the Dean's Office. Students may change their advisor at any
time, and often do as their specific interests develop or change.
Students are responsible for fulfilling the published requirements.
Students are urged to solicit the advisor's help at all times.
Special Degree Requirements
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Refer to graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog.
See index.
Degree candidates must complete successfully a curriculum that
includes:
1. A minimum of three courses primarily designed to
develop communication skills with at least one each in the
areas of oral communications and written communications including
an upper-division writing course.
2. A minimum of three quantitative courses primarily
designed to develop quantitative skills not to include MATH
005, 100, 130 or 132.
3. Except for the B.S. in Wildlife Biology, a course
of study containing not less than 36 traditional letter graded
semester credits in the School of Forestry, of which a minimum
of 20 credits must be taken while an approved major within
the School of Forestry.
4. Except for the B.S. in Wildlife Biology, a minimum
of 400 hours of work experience appropriate to the degree
being sought and to the student's career objectives, as determined
by the forestry faculty.
5. An overall course of study approved by the forestry
faculty selected from one of the following academic program
areas:
-Forest Resources Management Option in Forestry (BSF)
-Range Resources Management Option in Forestry (BSF)
-Conservation Option in Resource Conservation (BSRC)
-Land and People Option in Resource Conservation (BSRC)
-Terrestrial Sciences Option in Resource Conservation (BSRC)
-Recreation Management (BSRM)
-Terrestrial Option in Wildlife Biology (BSWB)
-Aquatic Option in Wildlife Biology (BSWB)
-Honors Emphasis in Wildlife Biology (BSWB)
Each student will select an academic option, preferably during
the first or early in the second year. A coursework program
will be worked out for each student with an advisor, according
to the guidelines and any additional requirements set forth
in the current University Catalog.
6. All students in any of the academic program areas
in the School of Forestry will complete a core curriculum
that includes:
a) Natural Resources Measurements Summer Camp (except Wildlife
Biology students--see Wildlife Biology section of this catalog)
b) A course in ecology (FOR 330, FOR 462, BIOL 340/341 or
transferred equivalent)
c) A course in natural resources policy (FOR 422, RECM 370,
WBIO 410, WBIO 475, or transferred equivalent)
d) A course in multidisciplinary natural resources management
planning (FOR 480 or transferred equivalent)
7. The Upper-division Writing Expectation must be
met by successfully completing an upper-division writing course
from the approved list in the Academic Policies and Procedures
section of this catalog. See index.
To continue coursework in the School of Forestry beyond the
freshman year, the student must maintain a cumulative grade
average of 2.00 (C) or above. To graduate, the student must
have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 (C) for all forestry
courses taken as well as a cumulative 2.00 overall average (2.5
for wildlife biology).
Bachelor of Science in Forestry
This degree emphasizes the training and preparation of students
in the art and science of multiple use land management. Two
options are offered in this degree: forest resources management
and range resources management. Both are described below.
Forest Resources Management Option: This curriculum,
accredited by the Society of American Foresters, is designed
to provide students with education and training in the art and
science of resource analysis and in making and implementing
land management decisions to provide for the best use of all
resources of the forest environment. Current philosophy and
methods of producing forest based goods and services such as
recreation, timber, water, range and wildlife are stressed,
with a heavy emphasis in field methods and applications. Completion
of the requirements for this degree allows for qualification
as a Forester for the U.S. Civil Service Commission, a requirement
of all who wish to practice as a forester for federal agencies
such as the U.S. Forest Service, and many state government and
private forestry employers.
Range Resources Management Option: This curriculum is
designed to prepare students for a variety of career opportunities
in rangeland vegetation management. The program emphasizes rangeland
ecology, use, management and conservation. The interrelationships
of soil, plants, and animals are studied in great breadth and
depth, with extensive field and laboratory experience stressed.
Opportunities for employment as a range management specialist
include, but are not limited to, federal agencies such as the
U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management; state agencies
and private corporations and ranches that require the expertise
of a professional range manager.
Bachelor of Science in Resource Conservation
This degree provides a broad academic foundation in natural
resources with emphasis on their social importance. The degree
is designed for individuals with unique or specific career objectives
not served by the School's other degree programs. This program
provides career opportunities by combining the science and management
base gained from natural resource oriented courses with courses
from departments in the social sciences and liberal arts. Graduates
from this program can be prepared for specialization in environmental
law or business. Graduates might also seek employment with advocacy
and professional organizations dealing with natural resources.
This degree is not intended to prepare students for professional
careers in forest management, recreation management or wildlife
biology. Students wishing to pursue careers in these areas should
enroll in the appropriate degree program.
Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management
A detailed description of this degree, including curriculum
requirements, is found under the Recreation Management section
in this catalog.
Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology
The School of Forestry cooperates with the Division of Biological
Sciences in offering a degree program in wildlife biology.
Wildlife biology is the study of wild vertebrate animals, their
habitats and their environment. The undergraduate curriculum
constitutes pre professional training for employment in fish
and game conservation, ad provides an excellent background in
general ecology.
Since few employment opportunities exist in wildlife management
or research for students with the bachelor's degree, wildlife
biology students should plan to continue their education, at
least through the master's degree, to qualify for most state
and federal wildlife management or research positions.
Three curricula are offered in the wildlife biology program:
Terrestrial, Aquatic, and Honors. Curriculum requirements are
found under the Wildlife Biology section in this catalog.
Minor in Nature and Democracy
Descriptions of this minor and of the Bolle Center for People
and Forests are found under the Nature and Democracy section
of this catalog.
Minor in Wilderness Studies
Descriptions of this minor and of the Wilderness and Civilization
program are found under the Wilderness Studies section of this
catalog.
Graduate Programs
The School of Forestry offers these graduate degrees: Master
of Science in Resource Conservation, Master of Science in Forestry,
Master of Ecosystem Management, Master of Science in Wildlife
Biology, Master of Science in Recreation Management, and Doctor
of Philosophy.
For further information on these programs contact the Graduate
School.