Forest Resources Management

In sustainable forestry, we balance the growing demand for forest products with the value of wildlands and public spaces for recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, aesthetics, and the protection of the environment. A dedicated, dynamic and diverse faculty in the Forestry program offers a curriculum that provides scientific, technical, and managerial knowledge needed by professionals managing our sustainable forest resources. As the third most forested state in the U.S., West Virginia's forests are our outdoor classroom.

Visit the Forest Resources Management major page for more information or contact the program coordinator Dr. Steve Chhin at [email protected]. If you are in the area, visit our Forest Resources Management office 337 Percival Hall, 1145 Evansdale Drive, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-6125.

Curriculum Structure

The curriculum is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) which means that there is a nationwide recognition of the quality of courses offered in this degree. The degree encompasses 120 credit hours of coursework. Required courses in biological, physical, and social sciences, English language, and mathematics form the foundation for core courses in the science and practice of managing and conserving forests and associated natural resources. Ample field experience is provided in a five-week summer field practice and in the laboratories in many of the forestry courses.

In addition to the core forestry curriculum, students select one Area of Emphasis to develop competence in specialized areas:

• Forest Management
• Forest Ecosystem Science & Sustainability
• Arboriculture & Urban Forestry

Students can also pursue minors in Recreation, Conservation Ecology, Wood Science or one of the many other minors available at WVU.

Extracurricular opportunities comprise joining one of our clubs: Arboriculture, Society of American Foresters, Timbersports team, or Women in Natural Resources.

Career Opportunities

A Bachelor of Science in Forestry is the path to a variety of careers. Many graduates become professional forest resource managers with government agencies, such as the USDA Forest Service and state forestry services. Graduates who work for these agencies carry out conservation practices on public lands like state parks, national forests, and range lands. Others help private woodlands owners reach their timber, wildlife, water, and recreation objectives.

WVU Forestry graduates are also employed by the forest industry producing lumber, paper, or engineered wood products. Other graduates find careers in utility forestry or become natural resources managers for oil and gas companies in the Appalachian region, and some move on to graduate degrees.

As a forester, you can expect to spend time in the field estimating the volume and value of timberland areas, planning and supervising timber harvesting operations, protecting forest from fire, insects, and disease, and managing forests for health and resilience. Managerial work includes; developing plans for providing carbon credits to landowners, developing sustainable forest management plans, and managing forests for multiple uses including recreation, timber, watershed, wildlife, and environmental protection.

Urban foresters work for city governments, private companies, or nonprofit organizations to increase urban canopy coverage, promote urban ecosystem services, maintain healthy trees, or minimize the impacts of development. Our graduates are also employed by national or local tree care company. They climb and pruning trees, planting trees, and care for urban tree health by diagnosing and treating pest & disease. 

Forest Resources Management

Students graduating from the Forest Resources Management major should be able to:

• Describe, identify and quantify forest ecosystem resources across different parts of the central Appalachian region and different biomes.
• Describe the assemblages of flora and fauna across the landscape and identify patterns and potential impacts of management and restoration activities as they related to freshwater ecosystem services (water quality, quantity, habitat), soils, and ecological principles.
• Explain ecological processes, including the effects of human impacts, as they pertain to the sustainable forest management.
• Develop and evaluate forest management alternatives based on knowledge from forest mensuration, silviculture, forest ecology, forest economics, forest hydrology and soils, and forest policy.
• Quantify forest recourses and predict future growth using growth and yield models.
• Develop a forest management plan for forest landowners and present forest management plan recommendations through technical writing and oral presentation.

• Must have at least a 2.5 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale for general admission.
• Must meet English Proficiency or request conditional admission and admission to the Intensive English Program (IEP).
• Please be advised that some Engineering majors may reach capacity and therefore will be restricted from entry.
• For direct admission to some colleges and majors, SAT or ACT scores are required and must be sent to WVU directly from the respective testing services. Please review the program requirements. For all other majors, international students are encouraged but not required to submit SAT or ACT scores, if available. SAT/ACT scores are useful for determining scholarship eligibility.
• WVU welcomes applications from students with IGCSE and O-Level Certificates from an approved UK exam board for admissions consideration. We require a minimum of five subject passes, of which two must be English and Mathematics. The average of the grades must be at least a 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). A passing grade in the subject of English will be accepted as evidence of sufficient English ability.

1. Review the admissions requirements, English Language Proficiency requirements (scores are for undergraduate levels only) and our undergraduate application deadlines.
2. To apply for an on-campus program, complete either the WVU Application or the Common App and include the nonrefundable fee of $65.
   
   WVU Application The Common App

   To apply for an online program, use the steps for WVU Online Campus applicants.

3. Have your Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic or Duolingo English Test scores sent to WVU.
4. Send the following information to WVU:
   • Copies of all official academic records/transcripts in original language of issue (transcripts from U.S. institutions must be sent to WVU directly from the institutions).
   • Copies of all academic certificates or diplomas in original language of issue.
   Note: Original or certified copies of official records/transcripts must be submitted after admission or upon arrival.
   • English translations of academic records/transcripts and certificates/diplomas.