Education related to the management of the broad spectrum of natural resources including forest biology, forest business management, forest economics, forest inventory, restoration and conservation science, urban forestry, and wildland recreation. This will prepare students for careers with private, state, and federal agencies involved in managing our natural resources. 

Concentration (Optional)

Bio-Based Products and Wood Science and Technology

Campus Code

Knoxville Campus

Options Available

Forestry Major: Thesis, Course Only with Comprehensive Exams
Bio-Based Products and Wood Science and Technology Concentration: Thesis

Admissions Standards/Procedures

• The student must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in forestry, wildlife, fisheries, or another natural resource area.
• Applicants must complete the general Graduate Record Examination with minimum scores required.
• Graduate Rating Forms or letters of recommendation from three individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic ability are required.
• To the Office of Graduate Admissions submit online application, application fee, official transcripts, and scores from the general portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Forestry Major / Thesis

Credit Hours Required

30 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• FORS 500  (6 credit hours)
• A minimum of 24 credit hours of graduate course work taken from Forestry (FORS) and others selected in consultation with the major professor and/or guidance committee
  • No more than 10 credit hours of the minimum 30 can be below the 500 level
  • Include FORS 512  (1 credit hour) taken twice for 2 credit hours total

Non-Course Requirements

• Prior to research for the thesis, the student is required to develop a detailed written research proposal.
• A graduate committee of no fewer than three faculty members must be selected by the second semester of residence.
  • At least one member must be from outside the department.
• An oral examination covering the thesis and course work is required.

Forestry Major / Course only with comprehensive exams

Option when students do not have a research focus for their future career goals and career options only require additional coursework beyond the BS in forestry. 

Credit Hours Required

35 credit hours

Required Courses

• 32 credit hours selected in consultation with the major professor and/or guidance committee
  • No more than 9 credit hours of the minimum 32 can be below the 500 level
  • 23 credit hours of course work in Forestry (FORS or FWF) must be at the 500 level or above, exclusive of FORS 511  
• FORS 511  (3 credit hours )

Non-course Requirements

• Final comprehensive written and oral examinations shall be taken upon completion of no fewer than 28 credit hours of approved study.
• A graduate committee of no fewer than three faculty members will be selected.
  • At least one member shall be from outside the department.
  • The committee will meet and schedule the student’s program during the first semester in residence.

Bio-Based Products and Wood Science and Technology / Thesis

The concentration in bio-based products and wood science and technology is designed to prepare graduate students for analytical and research careers in the public and private sectors and to prepare students interested in entering a PhD program.

Credit Hours Required

30 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• FORS 500  (6 credit hours)
• A minimum of 24 credit hours of graduate course work is required and selected in consultation with the major professor and/or guidance committee
  • No more than 10 credit hours of the minimum 30 can be below the 500 level
  • 18 credit hours of Chemistry (CHEM), the various areas of engineering (including CBE and MSE), Forestry (FORS), or related courses
  • 6 credit hours of statistics (STAT) or other quantitative methods [Plant Sciences (PLSC), Animal Science (ANSC)] related to the candidate’s thesis.
  • Include FORS 512  (1 credit hour) taken twice for 2 credit hours total

Non-Course Requirements

• Prior to research for the thesis, the student is required to develop a detailed written research proposal.
• A graduate committee of no fewer than three faculty members must be selected by the second semester of residence.
  • At least one member must be from outside the department.
• An oral examination covering the thesis and course work is required.