At which campus can I study this program?
Program Description
The mission of the B.S. program in Forest Ecosystems is to help students develop the knowledge, skills, and professional ethics for understanding and sustaining forest ecosystems and living as responsible members of society.
The Forest Ecosystems major provides for the education necessary for students to pursue professional careers in one of the following options:
- Biodiversity and Conservation
- Forest Management
- Forests, Trees, and People
- Watershed Ecohydrology
These options also will prepare students for graduate studies in continuing professional education.
Biodiversity and Conservation Option
This option helps students develop skills to conserve native forest species in managed and natural forest systems; to address ecological threats to forest ecosystems such as climate change, biodiversity loss, land-use changes, and invasive species; and to sustain forest ecosystem services including nontimber products and carbon storage. This option builds awareness of interconnectedness of ecosystems at multiple scales including global impacts from human and natural disturbances.
Forest Management Option
This option provides professional training in the management of forest lands consistent with the needs of ownership objectives and in the face of current challenges such as climate change and invasive species. Employment opportunities include forest management positions with public agencies, industry, and private consulting.
Forests, Trees, and People Option
This option provides students with a foundation in forest management, and helps develop skills to make positive change by understanding, conversing with, and teaching a variety of stakeholders about natural resources and societal and ecosystem resilience. Students will gain the ability to incorporate stakeholder information and human values to promote sound decision making, and to better understand opportunities to engage with the development and assessment of public policy.
Watershed Ecohydrology Option
This option focuses on the integrated study of forested watersheds, considering dynamic relationships among landscapes, soil, and water. Students will also gain skills in watershed and ecosystem assessment. The option prepares students for employment in both government and private sectors, or for graduate study.
What is Forest Ecosystems?
Professional foresters are challenged with the conservation, restoration, and sustainable provision of a wide range of forest ecosystem services, including timber and nontimber forest products, wildlife habitat, biodiversity, clean water, healthy soils, carbon sequestration, recreational opportunities, and the aesthetics of both rural and urban landscapes. Foresters need specialized knowledge to manage for this wide range of ecosystem services. The Forest Ecosystems program teaches students to identify, measure, and quantify a variety of forest ecosystem attributes; communicate effectively with diverse groups; analyze and interpret natural resources information in an ecological, economic, and social context; and integrate the relevant ecological, economic, and societal aspects of contemporary problems in natural resources management and use this understanding to develop, support, and implement effective solutions.
You Might Like this Program If...
- You enjoy working outdoors
- You have a concern for natural resources and an appreciation of nature
- You have an analytical mind to manage complex ecological systems and resolve environmental, economic, and social challenges
- You have an aptitude for innovation and strategic thinking
Entrance to Major
In order to be eligible for entrance to this major, a student must:
- attain at least a C (2.00) cumulative grade-point average for all courses taken at the University; and
- have at least third-semester classification.
READ SENATE POLICY 37-30: ENTRANCE TO AND CHANGES IN MAJOR PROGRAMS OF STUDY
Degree Requirements
For the Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Ecosystems, a minimum of 120 credits is required for all options:
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 45 |
| Electives | 3-8 |
| Requirements for the Major | 94-99 |
27 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 9 credits of GN courses; 6 credits of GQ courses; 3 credits of GS courses; 9 credits of GWS courses.
Students should be aware that, in most cases, completion of the Forest Ecosystems degree in four years requires enrollment at the University Park campus beginning the fall semester of the sophomore year.
Requirements for the Major
To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.
Common Requirements for the Major (All Options)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| FOR 123N | Forests, Trees, and People  | 3 |
| FOR 204 | Silvics and Forest Dynamics | 2 |
| SOILS 101 | Introductory Soil Science | 3 |
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| FOR 203 | Field Dendrology | 3 |
| FOR 255 | GPS and GIS Applications for Natural Resources Professionals | 3 |
| FOR 308 | Forest Ecology | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Economic Principles of Agribusiness Decision Making | ||
| Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy | ||
| Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| CAS/ENGL 138T | Rhetoric and Civic Life II | 3 |
| or CAS 100 | Effective Speech | |
| ENGL 202C | Effective Writing: Technical Writing | 3 |
| or ENGL 202D | Effective Writing: Business Writing | |
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Rhetoric and Composition | ||
| Honors Rhetoric and Composition | ||
| Rhetoric and Civic Life I | ||
| Select 3-4 credits from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Elementary Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Biometry | ||
| Introduction to Biostatistics | ||
| Requirements for the Option | ||
| Select an option | 62-66 | |
Requirements for the Option
Biodiversity and Conservation Option (62-63 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| BIOL 110 | Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity | 4 |
| FOR 201N | Global Change and Ecosystems | 3 |
| FOR/WFS 431 | Conservation Genetics | 3 |
| FOR 445 | Wildlife Habitat Management | 3 |
| SOILS 102 | Introductory Soil Science Laboratory | 1 |
| WFS/FOR 430 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| WFS/FOR 465 | Restoration Ecology | 4 |
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| BIOL 220W | Biology: Populations and Communities | 4 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| CHEM 110 | Chemical Principles I | 3 |
| or CHEM 130 | Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry | |
| FOR 450W | Human Dimensions of Natural Resources | 3 |
| or FOR 480 | Policy and Administration | |
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Remote Sensing and Spatial Data Handling | ||
| Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Environmental Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| MATH 110 | Techniques of Calculus I | 4 |
| or MATH 140 | Calculus With Analytic Geometry I | |
| Select 3-4 credits from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Forest Resources Measurements | ||
| Forest Ecosystem Monitoring and Data Analysis | ||
| Wildlife and Fisheries Measurements | ||
| Statistics for Conservation of Wild Populations | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| In consultation with academic adviser, select 21 credits from department list for the option. A minimum of 12 credits must be 300- or 400-level. If FOR 450W is not selected as an Additional Course, then Supporting Course selections must include FOR 450W or WFS 447W. | 21 | |
Forest Management Option (63-66 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| ENT 313 | Introduction to Entomology | 2 |
| FOR 320 | Wildland Fire Management | 3 |
| FOR 421 | Silviculture: Applied Forest Ecology | 3 |
| FOR 440 | Forest and Conservation Economics | 3 |
| FOR 442 | Forest Conservation: Principles and Practices | 3 |
| FOR 470 | Watershed Management | 3 |
| FOR 480 | Policy and Administration | 3 |
| PPEM 318 | Diseases of Forest and Shade Trees | 2 |
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| FOR 266 | Forest Resources Measurements | 4 |
| FOR 350 | Forest Ecosystem Monitoring and Data Analysis | 3 |
| FOR 455 | Remote Sensing and Spatial Data Handling | 3 |
| FOR 466W | Forest Management and Planning | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| BIOL 110 | Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity | 3-4 |
| or BIOL 127 | Introduction to Plant Biology | |
| CHEM 110 | Chemical Principles I | 3 |
| or CHEM 130 | Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry | |
| FOR 401 | Urban Forest Management | 3 |
| or FOR 450W | Human Dimensions of Natural Resources | |
| WFS 209N | Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation | 3 |
| or FOR 445 | Wildlife Habitat Management | |
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 4-6 credits from the following: | 4-6 | |
| College Algebra With Analytic Geometry and Applications II and Plane Trigonometry and Applications of Trigonometry | ||
| College Algebra With Analytic Geometry and Applications II and Mathematics for Sustainability | ||
| College Algebra With Analytic Geometry and Applications II and The Mathematics of Money | ||
| College Algebra With Analytic Geometry and Applications II and Agribusiness Problem Solving | ||
| Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry | ||
| Techniques of Calculus I | ||
| Calculus With Analytic Geometry I | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| In consultation with academic adviser, select 12 credits from department for the option. A minimum of six credits must be 300- or 400-level. | 12 | |
Forests, Trees, and People Option (63-66 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| CAS 404 | Conflict Resolution and Negotiation | 3 |
| FOR 320 | Wildland Fire Management | 3 |
| FOR 403 | Invasive Forest Plants: Identification, Ecology, and Management | 3 |
| FOR 421 | Silviculture: Applied Forest Ecology | 3 |
| FOR 440 | Forest and Conservation Economics | 3 |
| FOR 480 | Policy and Administration | 3 |
| SOILS 422 | Natural Resources Conservation and Community Sustainability | 4 |
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| FOR 266 | Forest Resources Measurements | 4 |
| FOR 401 | Urban Forest Management | 3 |
| FOR 450W | Human Dimensions of Natural Resources | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| BIOL 110 | Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity | 3-4 |
| or BIOL 127 | Introduction to Plant Biology | |
| CHEM 110 | Chemical Principles I | 3 |
| or CHEM 130 | Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry | |
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Learning and Instruction | ||
| Education in American Society | ||
| Principles of Environmental Interpretation | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction into Ethics and Issues in Agriculture | ||
| Cultural Diversity: A Global Perspective | ||
| Ethics of Climate Change | ||
| Environmental Philosophy | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Remote Sensing and Spatial Data Handling | ||
| Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Environmental Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 4-6 credits from the following: | 4-6 | |
| College Algebra With Analytic Geometry and Applications II and Plane Trigonometry and Applications of Trigonometry | ||
| College Algebra With Analytic Geometry and Applications II and Mathematics for Sustainability | ||
| College Algebra With Analytic Geometry and Applications II and The Mathematics of Money | ||
| College Algebra With Analytic Geometry and Applications II and Agribusiness Problem Solving | ||
| Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry | ||
| Techniques of Calculus I | ||
| Calculus With Analytic Geometry I | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| In consultation with academic adviser, select 12 credits from department for the option. A minimum of 6 credits must be 300- or 400-level. | 12 | |
Watershed Ecohydrology Option (64 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| BIOL 110 | Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity | 4 |
| CHEM 110 | Chemical Principles I | 3 |
| CHEM 111 | Experimental Chemistry I | 1 |
| CHEM 112 | Chemical Principles II | 3 |
| CHEM 113 | Experimental Chemistry II | 1 |
| FOR 475 | Principles of Forest Soils Management | 3 |
| MATH 141 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 4 |
| PHYS 211 | General Physics: Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 213 | General Physics: Fluids and Thermal Physics | 2 |
| SOILS 102 | Introductory Soil Science Laboratory | 1 |
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| FOR 350 | Forest Ecosystem Monitoring and Data Analysis | 3 |
| FOR 370 | Watershed Ecohydrology | 3 |
| FOR 470 | Watershed Management | 3 |
| FOR 477 | Field Methods in Watershed Ecohydrology | 3 |
| MATH 140 | Calculus With Analytic Geometry I | 4 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| FOR 455 | Remote Sensing and Spatial Data Handling | 3 |
| or SOILS 450 | Environmental Geographic Information Systems | |
| FOR 496 | Independent Studies | 1 |
| or SOILS 496 | Independent Studies | |
| GEOSC 1 | Physical Geology | 3 |
| or GEOSC 20 | Planet Earth | |
| Select a writing-intensive (W) course offered in the College of Agricultural Sciences | 3 | |
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| In consultation with academic adviser, select 12 credits from department list for the option. A minimum of 6 credits must be 300- or 400-level. | 12 | |
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Arts (GA): 3 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 3 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
Integrative Studies
- Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits
Exploration
- GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
- GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits
University Degree Requirements
First Year Engagement
All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.
Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.
First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.
Cultures Requirement
6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements
- United States Cultures: 3 credits
- International Cultures: 3 credits
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
Program Learning Objectives
- Basic Knowledge of Forest Flora and Fauna: Demonstrate knowledge of the biology, taxonomy, and ecology of flora and fauna associated with forested ecosystems
- Identify the common tree species of North America (especially those of the northeastern US) and describe their silvics
- Identify key understory plants, invasive species, pathogens, non-timber forest products, and fauna and describe their ecological roles in forest ecosystems
- Forest Data Collection: Accurately identify, measure and quantify a variety of forest ecosystem attributes
- Design, execute, analyze and report on a forest inventory to measure both timber and non-timber attributes: Demonstrate proficiency with a specified set of field equipment
- Design and implement a plan to monitor key ecosystem resources and processes
- Communication: Communicate effectively with diverse groups through listening, speaking and writing
- Communicate clearly through email, letters and other forms of professional correspondence
- Effectively present complex information in different formats to a variety of audiences: Use geographical information systems (GIS) to create a map showing features such as buffer zones on streams or roads or the layout of a timber sale
- Conduct a clear dialog with a potential client to determine their needs
- Use appropriate methods of communicating with diverse groups
- Apply conflict resolution skills for consensus building, facilitation and negotiation
- Data Analysis and Critical Thinking: Apply science-based knowledge to select, obtain, analyze and interpret natural resources information in an ecological, economic and social context
- Acquire data from primary and secondary sources to describe and analyze ecological, economic and social relationships on both spatial and temporal scales
- Use a geographical positioning system (GPS) to map features such as a hiking trail
- Find relevant natural resources information, such as publicly available data sets, research reports, and management plans
- Critically analyze the evidence on multiple sides of a contemporary natural resources issue
- Assess the economic, social, and ecological opportunities and constraints of a given land parcel within a relevant spatial and temporal context and recognize appropriate and defensible land management objectives
- Identify and evaluate the full range –ecological, social, and economic –of impacts of different forest management alternatives
- Apply economic, financial and business management tools to assess alternative forest management activities
- Acquire data from primary and secondary sources to describe and analyze ecological, economic and social relationships on both spatial and temporal scales
- Data Synthesis and Critical Thinking: Recognize, identify, and integrate the relevant ecological, economic, and societal aspects of contemporary problems in natural resources management and use this understanding to develop, support and implement effective solutions
- Based on an assessment of a property, develop, write and present a management plan, including silvicultural prescriptions, for the property that meet the stated land management objectives and implement the components of the plan
- Describe the role of institutions such as markets, communities, governments, and non-government organizations in the management of natural resources
- Describe and evaluate how a contemporary natural resources issue has been addressed by society
- Identify a natural resources problem, evaluate the science and the politics behind the problem, engage the stakeholders involved, and propose a solution to the problem
- Professionalism and Social Awareness: Synthesize knowledge, diverse values, and ethics for making, communicating and supporting decisions with confidence, respect, professionalism, and compassion
- Demonstrate openness, tolerance, and appreciation for alternative points of view
- Demonstrate awareness of global issues and cultural diversity
- Be able to present and conduct oneself as a professional
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
C. Paola Ferreri
Associate Professor
408 Forest Resources Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-2095
cpf3@psu.edu
Suggested Academic Plan
The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2026-27 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition.
Biodiversity and Conservation Option: Forest Ecosystems, B.S. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| First-Year Seminar | 1-3 | AGBM 101, ECON 102, or ECON 104† | 3 |
| BIOL 110† | 4 | CHEM 110† | 3 |
| MATH 110 or 140‡† | 4 | CHEM 111† | 1 |
| ENGL 15 or 30H‡† | 3 | STAT 200, 240, or 250*‡† | 3-4 |
| General Education Course 1 | 3 | CAS 100‡† | 3 |
| WFS 209N | 3 | ||
| 15-17 | 16-17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FOR 200* | 1 | FOR 204 | 2 |
| FOR 203* | 3 | FOR 266* | 4 |
| FOR 255* | 3 | CHEM 202 | 3 |
| BIOL 220W | 4 | SOILS 101† | 3 |
| General Education Course1 | 3 | SOILS 102 | 1 |
| General Education Course1 | 3 | ||
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FOR 308* | 3 | ENT 313, FOR 403, or PPEM 318 (need 2) | 2-3 |
| ENGL 202C or 202D‡† | 3 | FOR 350* | 3 |
| FOR/WFS 430 | 3 | FOR 409 | 2 |
| Supporting Course Selection from List | 3 | FOR 410 | 3 |
| General Education Course1 | 3 | Supporting Course Selection from List | 3 |
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | General Education Course (GHW)1 | 1.5 |
| 16.5 | 14.5-15.5 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FOR 421 | 3 | ENT 313, FOR 403, or PPEM 318 (need 2) | 2-3 |
| HORT 445 | 3 | FOR 450W | 3 |
| General Education Course1 | 3 | Supporting Course Selection from List | 3 |
| Supporting Course Selection from List | 3 | Supporting Course Selection from List | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 1-3 |
| 15 | 12-15 | ||
| Total Credits 119-126 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
- 1
Refer to your degree audit to determine which General Education requirements need yet to be fulfilled.
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.
Advising Notes:
- Students should be aware that, in most cases, completion of the Forest Ecosystems (FOREM) degree in eight semesters requires enrollment at Penn State University Park beginning the fall semester of the sophomore year.
- All supporting course selections are listed in the FOREM Handbook, which is available on the department’s website under Undergraduate > Student Resources > Student Handbooks.
- Many FOR classes are offered only once per year, in the fall or the spring; plan your schedule accordingly.
- FOR 409 is offered only in spring of odd years.
- Courses that are listed as both US or IL and GA, GH, or GS can count for both requirements (i.e., a course listed for both GA and IL will satisfy both Arts and International Cultures).
- Students should monitor their academic progress by checking their degree audits on LionPATH.
- Questions about FOREM academic plans or degree audits should be directed to academic advisers or to FOREM Program Coordinator Ellen Rom, exr2@psu.edu or 814-863-0362.
Biodiversity and Conservation Option: Forest Ecosystems, B.S. at Commonwealth Campuses
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| First-Year Seminar | 1-3 | BIOL 220W | 4 |
| BIOL 110† | 4 | CHEM 110† | 3 |
| MATH 110 or 140‡† | 4 | CHEM 111† | 1 |
| ENGL 15 or 30H‡† | 3 | STAT 200, 240, or 250*‡† | 3-4 |
| General Education Course 1 | 3 | CAS 100‡† | 3 |
| 15-17 | 14-15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FOR 200* | 1 | FOR 204 | 2 |
| FOR 203* | 3 | FOR 266* | 4 |
| FOR 255* | 3 | CHEM 202 | 3 |
| SOILS 101† | 3 | ENGL 202C or 202D‡† | 3 |
| SOILS 102 | 1 | AGBM 101, ECON 102, or ECON 104† | 3 |
| WFS 209N | 3 | General Education Course1 | 3 |
| 14 | 18 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FOR 308* | 3 | ENT 313, FOR 403, or PPEM 318 (need 2) | 2-3 |
| FOR/WFS 430* | 3 | FOR 350* | 3 |
| Supporting Course Selection from List | 3 | FOR 409 | 2 |
| General Education Course1 | 3 | FOR 410 | 3 |
| General Education Course1 | 3 | Supporting Course Selection from List | 3 |
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | General Education Course (GHW)1 | 1.5 |
| 16.5 | 14.5-15.5 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FOR 421 | 3 | ENT 313, FOR 403, or PPEM 318 (need 2) | 2-3 |
| HORT 445 | 3 | FOR 450W | 3 |
| General Education Course1 | 3 | Supporting Course Selection from List | 3 |
| Supporting Course Selection from List | 3 | Supporting Course Selection from List | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 1-3 |
| 15 | 12-15 | ||
| Total Credits 119-126 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
- 1
Refer to your degree audit to determine which General Education requirements need yet to be fulfilled.
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
Advising Notes:
- Students should be aware that, in most cases, completion of the Forest Ecosystems (FOREM) degree in eight semesters requires enrollment at Penn State University Park beginning the fall semester of the sophomore year.
- All supporting course selections are listed in the FOREM Handbook, which is available on the department’s website under Undergraduate > Student Resources > Student Handbooks.
- Many FOR classes are offered only once per year, in the fall or the spring; plan your schedule accordingly.
- FOR 409 is offered only in spring of odd years.
- Courses that are listed as both US or IL and GA, GH, or GS can count for both requirements (i.e., a course listed for both GA and IL will satisfy both Arts and International Cultures).
- Students should monitor their academic progress by checking their degree audits on LionPATH.
- Questions about FOREM academic plans or degree audits should be directed to academic advisers or to FOREM Program Coordinator Ellen Rom, exr2@psu.edu or 814-863-0362.
Forest Management Option: Forest Ecosystems, B.S. at University Park Campus and Commonwealth Campuses
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| First-Year Seminar | 1-3 | CHEM 110† | 3 |
| MATH 22 and MATH 33, or MATH 22 and MATH 34, or MATH 22 and AGBM 106, or MATH 110, or MATH 140*‡† | 4-6 | CHEM 111† | 1 |
| BIOL 110 or 127† | 3-4 | CAS 100‡† | 3 |
| ENGL 15 or 30H‡† | 3 | AGBM 101, ECON 102, or ECON 104† | 3 |
| General Education Course1 | 3 | STAT 200, 240, or 250*‡† | 3-4 |
| General Education Course1 | 3 | ||
| 14-19 | 16-17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FOR 200* | 1 | FOR 204 | 2 |
| FOR 203* | 3 | FOR 266* | 4 |
| FOR 255* | 3 | PPEM 318 | 2 |
| SOILS 101† | 3 | ENT 313 | 2 |
| General Education Course1 | 3 | ENGL 202C or 202D‡† | 3 |
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | General Education Course1 | 3 |
| 14.5 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FOR 308* | 3 | FOR 320* | 2 |
| FOR 440 | 3 | FOR 350* | 3 |
| FOR 401 (or Supporting Course)2 | 3 | WFS 209N | 3 |
| General Education Course1 | 3 | FOR 450W2 | 3 |
| Elective | 2 | FOR 455* | 3 |
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | ||
| 14 | 15.5 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ERM 448, FOR 439, or FOR 4752 | 3 | FOR 409 & SOILS 102 (or Supporting Course)2 | 3 |
| FOR 421 | 3 | FOR 466W* | 3 |
| FOR/WFS 4302 | 3 | FOR 4102 | 3 |
| Supporting Course | 3 | FOR 470 | 3 |
| Elective | 0-4 | FOR 480 | 3 |
| 12-16 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 117-127 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
- 1
Refer to your degree audit to determine which General Education requirements need yet to be fulfilled.
- 2
Refer to FOREM FMGT checksheet and your degree audit for clarification about how FOR 401, FOR 450W, ERM 448, FOR 439, FOR 475, FOR 409, SOILS 102, FOR 430/WFS 430, FOR 410, and Supporting Courses satisfy degree requirements.
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.
Advising Notes:
- Students should be aware that, in most cases, completion of the Forest Ecosystems (FOREM) degree in eight semesters requires enrollment at Penn State University Park beginning the fall semester of the sophomore year.
- All supporting course selections are listed in the FOREM Handbook, which is available on the department’s website under Undergraduate > Student Resources > Student Handbooks.
- Refer to both the FOREM FMGT Supporting Course list and the FOREM FMGT checksheet in the FOREM Handbook for clarification about how FOR 401, FOR 450W, FOR 475, FOR 409, and SOILS 102 satisfy degree requirements in the FMGT option.
- Many FOR classes are offered only once per year, in the fall or the spring; plan your schedule accordingly.
- FOR 409 is offered only in spring of odd years.
- Courses that are listed as both US or IL and GA, GH, or GS can count for both requirements (i.e., a course listed for both GA and IL will satisfy both Arts and International Cultures).
- Students should monitor their academic progress by checking their degree audits on LionPATH.
- Questions about FOREM academic plans or degree audits should be directed to academic advisers or to FOREM Program Coordinator Ellen Rom, exr2@psu.edu or 814-863-0362.
Forests, Trees, and People Option: Forest Ecosystems, B.S. at University Park Campus and Commonwealth Campuses
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MATH 22 and MATH 33, or MATH 22 and MATH 34, or MATH 22 and AGBM 106, or MATH 110, or MATH 140‡† | 4-6 | CHEM 110† | 3 |
| BIOL 110 or 127† | 3-4 | CHEM 111† | 1 |
| ENGL 15 or 30H‡† | 3 | AGBM 101, ECON 102, or ECON 104† | 3 |
| General Education Course1 | 3 | CAS 100‡† | 3 |
| First-Year Seminar | 1-3 | STAT 200, 240, or 250‡† | 3-4 |
| General Education Course1 | 3 | ||
| 14-19 | 16-17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FOR 200* | 1 | FOR 204* | 2 |
| FOR 203* | 3 | FOR 266* | 4 |
| FOR 255* | 3 | HORT 301 | 3 |
| SOILS 101† | 3 | ENT 313 | 2 |
| LARCH 60, 65, or ARCH 316† | 3 | ENT 314 | 1 |
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | ENGL 202C or 202D‡† | 3 |
| 14.5 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FOR 308* | 3 | PPEM 318 | 2 |
| HORT 138 | 3 | PLANT 217 | 3 |
| ERM 448, FOR 439, or FOR 475 (or Supporting Course)2 | 3 | FOR 409 & SOILS 102 (or Supporting Course)2 | 3 |
| RPTM 320, 325, 435, or 470 | 3 | FOR 455, GEOG 363, or SOILS 450 | 3 |
| Supporting Course | 3 | General Education Course1 | 3 |
| Elective | 0-5 | ||
| 15 | 14-19 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FOR 421 | 3 | GEOG 430 | 3 |
| FOR 495 or 496* | 3 | FOR 480 | 3 |
| FOR 401* | 3 | HORT 408 | 4 |
| Supporting Course | 3 | FOR 450W* | 3 |
| General Education Course1 | 3 | Elective | 2 |
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | ||
| 15 | 16.5 | ||
| Total Credits 120-131 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
- 1
Refer to your degree audit to determine which General Education requirements need yet to be fulfilled.
- 2
Refer to FOREM CURFM checksheet and your degree audit for clarification about how ERM 448, FOR 439, FOR 475, FOR 409, SOILS 102, and Supporting Courses satisfy degree requirements.
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.
Advising Notes:
- Students should be aware that, in most cases, completion of the Forest Ecosystems (FOREM) degree in eight semesters requires enrollment at Penn State University Park beginning the fall semester of the sophomore year.
- All supporting course selections are listed in the FOREM Handbook, which is available on the department’s website under Undergraduate > Student Resources > Student Handbooks.
- Many FOR classes are offered only once per year, in the fall or the spring; plan your schedule accordingly.
- FOR 409 is offered only in spring of odd years.
- Courses that are listed as both US or IL and GA, GH, or GS can count for both requirements (i.e., a course listed for both GA and IL will satisfy both Arts and International Cultures).
- Students should monitor their academic progress by checking their degree audits on LionPATH.
- Questions about FOREM academic plans or degree audits should be directed to academic advisers or to FOREM Program Coordinator Ellen Rom, exr2@psu.edu or 814-863-0362.
- 1
Use this Suggested Academic Plan in consultation with your degree audit. SOILS 102 and Supporting Courses are not C-required.
Watershed Ecohydrology Option: Forest Ecosystems, B.S. at University Park Campus and Commonwealth Campuses
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| First-Year Seminar | 1-3 | CHEM 110† | 3 |
| AGBM 101, ECON 102, or ECON 104† | 3 | CHEM 111† | 1 |
| MATH 110 or 140‡† | 4 | CAS 100‡† | 3 |
| ENGL 15 or 30H‡† | 3 | MATH 111 or 141† | 2-4 |
| General Education Course1 | 3 | STAT 200, 240, or 250*‡† | 3-4 |
| 14-16 | 12-15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FOR 200* | 1 | FOR 266* | 4 |
| FOR 203* | 3 | ENGL 202C or 202D‡† | 3 |
| FOR 255* | 3 | PHYS GN Selection from List† | 3-4 |
| SOILS 101† | 3 | Social Sciences GS Selection from List† | 3 |
| General Education Course1 | 3 | General Education Course1 | 3 |
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | ||
| 14.5 | 16-17 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FOR 308* | 3 | FOR 470* | 3 |
| ERM 448, FOR 439, or FOR 475 (or Geospatial Analysis Selection from List)2 | 3 | FOR 471* | 1 |
| PHYS GN Selection from List† | 3-4 | FOR 409 & SOILS 102 (or Geospatial Analysis Selection from List)*2 | 3 |
| Resources Management Selection from List | 3 | Physical Sciences Selection from List | 3 |
| Water Sciences Selection from List | 3 | Social Sciences GS Selection from List | 3 |
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | ||
| 15-16 | 14.5 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FOR 421 | 3 | FOR 450W | 3 |
| Physical Sciences Selection from List | 3 | Resources Management Selection from List | 3 |
| Water Sciences Selection from List | 3 | Water Sciences Selection from List | 3 |
| General Education Course1 | 3 | Three Additional Credits at the 300- or 400-level from Selections Lists | 3 |
| Elective | 3-5 | Elective | 3-6 |
| 15-17 | 15-18 | ||
| Total Credits 116-128 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
- 1
Refer to your degree audit to determine which General Education requirements need yet to be fulfilled.
- 2
Refer to FOREM WMGT checksheet and your degree audit for clarification about how ERM 448, FOR 439, FOR 475, FOR 409, SOILS 102, and Geospatial Analysis selection satisfy degree requirements.
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.
Advising Notes:
- Students should be aware that, in most cases, completion of the Forest Ecosystems (FOREM) degree in eight semesters requires enrollment at Penn State University Park beginning the fall semester of the sophomore year.
- All supporting course selections are listed in the FOREM Handbook, which is available on the department’s website under Undergraduate > Student Resources > Student Handbooks.
- Many FOR classes are offered only once per year, in the fall or the spring; plan your schedule accordingly.
- FOR 409 is offered only in spring of odd years.
- Courses that are listed as both US or IL and GA, GH, or GS can count for both requirements (i.e., a course listed for both GA and IL will satisfy both Arts and International Cultures).
- Students should monitor their academic progress by checking their degree audits on LionPATH.
- Questions about FOREM academic plans or degree audits should be directed to academic advisers or to FOREM Program Coordinator Ellen Rom, exr2@psu.edu or 814-863-0362.
Career Paths
Graduates become forest managers responsible for the flora and fauna on publicly owned forests and watersheds, including national and state forests and parks, game lands, and recreation areas. Others work as ecologists studying environmental factors that affect forests, or as consultants surveying timberlands and recommending harvest and reforestation practices. Graduates also work as community foresters managing urban trees and green spaces, consulting foresters assisting private landowners, industrial foresters ensuring a company’s need for raw materials, land managers for conservation organizations, and watershed managers responsible for the protection of municipal watersheds. The curriculum also provides a firm base for graduate study.
Careers
Graduates of the Forest Management and Biodiversity and Conservation options may be employed by public agencies such as the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service, nonprofit organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, industries such as sawmills and bioenergy facilities, and environmental consulting firms. Graduates of the Forests, Trees, and People option may be employed by municipalities, arboricultural companies, utilities, and government agencies to manage community trees and green spaces. Graduates of the Watershed Ecohydrology option may find federal employment as hydrologists or pursue careers in municipal watershed management and in environmental/engineering consulting.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES OF THE FOREST ECOSYSTEMS PROGRAM
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES
Professional Resources
Accreditation
Three options of the Forest Ecosystem Management baccalaureate degree program (Community and Urban Forest Management, Forest Biology, and Forest Management) are accredited by the Society of American Foresters. Degrees in forestry have been awarded at Penn State since 1907, and our program was among those first accredited by the Society of American Foresters in 1935.