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 back
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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, and pass with a D or better, a core curriculum that includes:
a) Natural Resources
Measurements Summer Camp (except Wildlife Biology students--see
Wildlife Biology section of this catalog) (if a student enters
the University with 60 or more transfer credits, he/she will be
exempt)
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 back
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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
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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 back
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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.