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
Forest Business
Campus Code
Knoxville Campus
Options Available
Forestry Major: Thesis Option, Coursework Only with Comprehensive Exams Option
Bio-Based Products and Wood Science and Technology Concentration: Thesis Option
Forest Business Concentration: Coursework Only with Comprehensive Exams Option
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 Option
Credit Hours Required
30 graduate credit hours
Required Courses
- FORS 500 (6 credit hours)
- A minimum of 24 credit hours of graduate coursework 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 coursework is required.
Forestry Major / Coursework Only with Comprehensive Exams Option
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 graduate credit hours
Required Courses
- 32 graduate 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 coursework 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 graduate 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 Concentration / Thesis Option
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 coursework 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 coursework is required.
Forest Business Concentration / Coursework Only with Comprehensive Exams Option
The concentration Forest Business, in the Coursework Only with Comprehensive Exams, MS is designed to prepare students for careers in forest and timberland investment, forest industry, and wood processing.
Credit Hours Required
35 graduate credit hours
Required Courses
- 14 credit hours must be in mandatory courses
- 21 credit hours of electives selected in consultation with major professor and/or graduate committee
- 12 graduate credit hours of electives must be in FORS or FWF Classes
Additional Course Requirements
At least 28 credit hours of the 35 graduate credit hours must be earned in courses numbered at, or above the 500-level.
Non-Course Requirements
Each student must pass a final oral examination.
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