2002-2003 Edition
Texas A&M University Undergraduate CatalogTexas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog
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Curricula in Forestry

The Department of Forest Science provides one of the most advanced educational opportunities available for developing leaders in the management, conservation and restoration of the world's diverse forests. Students seeking to study forestry in this department are interested in solving problems related to protecting forest biodiversity, providing wood, water, recreation and wildlife for a growing society, and contributing to the advancement of knowledge about forests. Resolving today's forest management issues requires a broad education in the biological, physical and social sciences, a solid understanding of the methods used to integrate information from many fields and to solve problems, and an in-depth knowledge of the sophisticated tools and techniques that are an essential part of modern forestry. Curricula in the Department of Forest Science incorporate these ideas so that motivated and capable students can become competent forest and resource management professionals and scientists.

Forests cover one-third of the land area of the United States. The products and services derived from forests, and the scenic beauty they provide, have contributed to the well-being of the American people since the founding of this country. These benefits range from lumber and paper to recreation and biological diversity. Forests also are renewable. Under proper stewardship, they can yield products and biodiversity indefinitely. Proper management of forests, which is the responsibility of the professional forester, results in healthy, productive forests that are capable of serving human needs and providing a quality environment in rural or urban settings.

The primary objective of the Department of Forest Science is to educate students in the scientific management of forest resources. Students select a course of study best suited to their educational and career goals. Students also receive help from faculty advisors in their areas of interest. Faculty advisors meet regularly with students to discuss courses and career opportunities. The total number of credit hours required for a degree in each option is 131. The Department offers two options:

Urban Forestry. For students interested in the management of trees and forests in an urban environment. The curriculum provides an understanding of urban landscape ecosystems and issues related to the boundary between cities and wildlands. In addition to forestry and other sciences, the curriculum includes arboriculture, human ecology and landscape design.

Forest Resource Management. For students interested in the management of forest resources. The curriculum uses principles of scientific stewardship to prepare leaders in forest management and forest research. In addition, undergraduate students may choose the Individually Designed Program (IDP) emphasis to tailor their curriculum within this option to focus on a specific area of forestry. Such areas include spatial sciences, international forestry, forest industries, forest products, forest ecology, and the restoration and protection of native forests. Many other areas of specialization are possible. Students have great flexibility in tailoring their curricula to meet the challenges facing today's professional forester.

Core Courses
Required Course
(Th-Pr)
Credit
AGEC 105 Introduction to Agricultural Economics
     or ECON 202 Principles of Economics
(3-0)
3
AGLS 201 Computer Applications in Agriculture
(2-2)
3
BIOL 113 Introductory Biology
(3-0)
3
BIOL 114 Introductory Biology
(3-0)
3
BIOL 123 Introductory Biology Lab.
(0-3)
1
CHEM 101 Fundamentals of Chemistry I
(3-3)
4
CHEM 102 Fundamentals of Chemistry II
     or PHYS 201 College Physics
(3-3)
4
COMM 203 Public Speaking
     or COMM 243 Argumentation and Debate
     or COMM 325 Persuasion
(3-0)
3
ENGL 104 Composition and Rhetoric
(3-0)
3
ENGL 210 Scientific and Technical Writing
     or ENGL 301 Technical Writing
(3-0)
3
MATH 141 Business Mathematics I
(3-0)
3
MATH 142 Business Mathematics II
(3-0)
3
POLS 206 American National Government
(3-0)
3
POLS 207 State and Local Government
(3-0)
3
RENR 205 Fundamentals of Ecology
(3-0)
3
RENR 215 Fundamentals of Ecology Lab.
(0-3)
1
STAT 302 Statistical Methods
(3-0)
3
American history electives 1
6
Humanities elective 1
3
Visual and performing arts elective 1
3
* KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity
(0-2)
1
* KINE 199 Required Physical Activity
(0-2)
1
 
63
Basic Forest Resource Courses
Required Course
(Th-Pr)
Credit
AGRO 301 Soil Science
(3-2)
4
FRSC 203 Dendrology
(2-2)
3
FRSC 302 Fundamentals of Environmental Decision Making
(3-0)
3
FRSC 304 Forest Ecology
(3-0)
3
FRSC 305 Silviculture
(3-3)
4
FRSC 311 Wood Properties and Utilization
(2-2)
3
FRSC 398 Interpretation of Aerial Photographs
     or FRSC 461 Geographic Information Systems for Resource      Management
3
FRSC 406 Forest Policy
(3-0)
3
Business elective 2
3
 
29
Forest Resource Management Option
Required Course *
(Th-Pr)
Credit
FRSC 300 Forest Practices
(5-0)
5
FRSC 306 Forest Measurements
(3-3)
4
FRSC 307 Forest Protection
(3-3)
4
FRSC 308 Tree Structure and Function
(0-3)
1
FRSC 314 Forest Economics and Valuation
(4-0)
4
FRSC 404 Forest Management
(3-0)
3
FRSC 405 Integrated Forest Resource Analysis and Planning
(3-3)
4
FRSC 409 Manufacturing and Applications of Wood Products
(3-0)
3
FRSC 414 Modeling Forest Resources
(3-0)
3
Multiple use elective 4
3
Free electives
5
 
39

*Students approved for individually designed program emphasis may substitute for the courses required for the Forest Resource Management Option.

Urban Forestry Option
Required Course
(Th-Pr)
Credit
AGRO 302 Recreational Turf
(3-0)
3
FRSC 307 Forest Protection
(3-3)
4
FRSC 420 Arboriculture
(2-2)
3
HORT 206 Woody Ornamental Plants
(2-2)
3
HORT 308 Landscape Plant Materials
(2-2)
3
HORT 425 Landscape Maintenance and Construction
(2-3)
3
MEPS 313 Introduction to Plant Physiology
(3-0)
3
RENR 444 Remote Sensing in Renewable Natural Resources
(2-3)
3
Directed technical electives 3
7
Free electives
7
 
39

NOTES:
1. To be selected from the University Core Curriculum. The University Core Curriculum includes a requirement for 6 hours of international and cultural diversity courses. Click here for a list of acceptable courses. A course satisfying another Core category, a college/department requirement or used as a free elective can be used to satisfy these requirements. See academic advisor.

2. To be selected from an approved list in consultation with the student's advisor.

3. Directed technical electives are to be used to develop an area of specialization and must be chosen from an approved list in consultation with the student's advisor.

4. Multiple use electives must be chosen from an approved list in consultation with the student's advisor.

* Click here for more information.