School of Forestry

Mission:

The mission of the School of Forestry is "To enhance the social, ecological, and economic value of forest resources for the citizens of Louisiana and the nation through professional education, basic and applied research, and service to the public and natural resource managers."

The specific goals are to:

1.   Maintain an accredited undergraduate forestry education program
2.   Maintain an undergraduate wildlife conservation education program, that meets certification requirements of the Wildlife Society
3.   Conduct research relevant to enhancing Lousiana's forestlands and associated natural resources
4.   Conduct continuing education and service activities to meet the needs of Louisiana's forest landowners

Degree Programs

The School of Forestry offers three degree programs:  Bachelor of Science in Forestry (BSF), a Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Science (BS) with a concentration in Natural Resources, and a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Conservation (BS).  The Forestry curriculum is designed for students who desire scientific knowledge of conservation and management of forestry resources, such as timber inventory, site productivity, resource protection, and many other activities carried out in the production of wood and wood fiber.  The Geographic Information Science (GISc) curriculum is designed for students interested in understanding, analyzing, and applying the spatial relationship among human and physical features (e.g., social and economic impact of natural disasters).  Students of GISc learn how to use computer software programs that identify the interactions that transpire between humans and the physical environment based on location.  They also learn how to analyze those interactions, and to use that information to suggest changes in policies and procedures.  Jobs for graduates of this curriculum are found in all sectors of the economy including business, communication, defense, education, engineering, Federal, State, and local government, health and human services, natural resources, transportation, and many others.  The Wildlife Conservation curriculum is designed for students who desire scientific knowledge of the conservation and management of wildlife.  This curriculum emphasizes the life history, habitat relationships, and habitat management of wildlife species and communities.  Students are trained as managers, naturalists, and reseachers through course work and practical experience with wildlife professionals.  Students are encouraged to complete at least 1 internship (on-the-job-experience) during their course of study.  The Forestry curriculum requires that students complete individual professional courses (Forestry prefix) with a minimum grade of C and maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 on all courses taken.  The Wildlife Conservation curriculum requires that students complete individual professional courses (Forestry and Biological Sciences prefixes) with a minimum grade of C and maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 on all courses taken.  The Wildlife Conservation curriulum requires that students complete individual professional courses (Forestry and Biological Sciences prefixes) with a minimum grade of C and maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 on all courses taken.  The educational program in Forestry leading to the professional degree of BSF is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the specialized accrediting body for Forestry in the United States.  The Wildlife Conservation degree program meets the certification requirements of The Wildlife Society, and graduates may apply for certification as an Associate Wildlife Biologist.

Field Session

Successful completion of the Forestry Summer Field Session during the junior year is a prerequisite for senior standing for Forestry and Wildlife Conservation majors, but not for Geographic Infomation Science majors.  Students who have completed all prerequisites, including all 100 level courses, FOR 205, 206, 300, 301 (or BISC 313), 302, 306, MATH 212, and have at least an overall C average are eligible to enroll.  Eield Session students are also required to meet the conditions as outlined in the Forestry Summer Field Session Academic and Operating Policies document which is available from the School of Forestry upon request.

Field Trips

During the junior and senior years, field trips are made to forest production areas, wood-using plants, and wildlife management areas.  These enable students to observe forestry, wildlife management,  research, and wood-using activities of private companies and government agencies.  Many of the important forest types and management activities, as well as a wide variety of wood-using industries, are located near campus.

Expenses

Field trips cannot always be arranged within the scheduled laboratory hours.  In some cases, students must leave the campus earlier and return later than the published class schedule.  The payment for meals and lodging when overnight trips are necessary are the responsibility of the individual student.  This includes the field session.  In addition to regular expenses, a special fee is charged each student who attends the field sessions.  Each student registering for any forestry or biological sciences course involving field laboratory work should have, for self-protection, an accident insurance policy.  Policies are available during registration to all students for a reasonable cost.  A number of student assistants are imployed by the School each year.  This enables the students to work part-time while attending school.

Transfer Credit

Students may complete 62 semster hours of the Forestry or the Wildlife Conservation major at regionally accredited institutions.  However, transfer credit will only be accepted for courses completed with a C or better grade and must be approved during the student's first quarter at Tech.  The professional core courses in Forestry and Wildlife Conservation must be completed at Louisiana Tech University.  Students who are considering transfer to the School of Forestry should contact the Director's Office, School of Forestry, prior to enrollment at other institutions.

Forestry Curriculum (BSF)

Freshman Year
Natural Sciences (GER)  Biological Sciences 134	3
Social Sciences (GER) Economics 201 or 202 or 215	3
Social Sciences Course	3
English (GER)	6
Arts (GER)	3
Forestry 101	1
Mathematics (GER) Mathematics 100 or 101, and 212	6
Elective	3
Total	28
Sophomore Year
Natural Sciences (GER) Chemistry 120, 121, 122 or Chemistry 100, 101, 102, 103	7
Humanities (GER) English 201 or 202	3
History	3
Forestry 205, 206, 312, 313	8
Geographic Information Science 250	3
Social Science (GER)	3
Statistics Elective*	3
Total	30
Junior Year
Humanities (GER) English 303	3
Forestry 202, 300, 301**, 302, 306, 310, 314, 315, 318, 319, 320	28
Geographic Information Science 217, 224	4
Electives	5
Total	40**
Senior Year
Forestry 322, 401, 402, 404, 406, 406, 410, 413, 425	22
Humanities (GER) Speech 110 or 377, or English 363	3
Geographic Information Science 260	2
Total	27
TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS	125

(GER): General Education Requirements (pg 14 of the LA Tech Catalog).

(IER):  International Education Requirement (pg 15 of the LA Tech University Catalog).
Effective with the Freshman class of 2005, each student must complete a minimum of one 3-hour course which has been identified as satisfying the International Education Requirement.
Course choices are on page 15 of the LA Tech University Catalog.

*Statistics Elective:  AGSC 320, QA 233, PSYC 300, or STAT 200.
**Students are strongly encouraged to take Forestry 301; however, students may elect Biological Sciences 313 if their career goals dictate.

***9 credit hours are taken during a required Summer Field Session between the Junior and Senior years.