Forestry (FORB)

The Forestry (FORB) degree prepares students for employment in any aspect of forest resource management, from forest industry lands where timber production is typically the primary objective to private non-industrial properties where land is managed for multiple uses to public lands where recreation or environmental protection is often the priority. The curriculum emphasizes sustainable forestry management practices' biological, ecological, environmental, social, economic, and ethical considerations.

The objectives of the forestry curriculum are to provide students with:

1. Fundamental knowledge regarding the resources that professional foresters typically manage, their multiple uses, and their sustainable management and conservation.
2. A general education integrating physical, social, and biological sciences to prepare the forester for the role of steward of public and private forest resources.
3. Training and skills needed for initial forestry employment, as well as for advancement to higher levels of managerial responsibility.

Forestry majors attend a nine-week summer practicum course between their sophomore and junior years as a comprehensive introduction that provides hands-on learning and field skills necessary for their education and future careers.

Forestry-Specific Requirements

The Professional Curriculum in Forestry (FORB) begins the summer prior to a student’s junior year. The Forestry Practicum is held at the Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center near Andalusia, Alabama, for nine weeks each summer. Pre-Forestry (PFOR) students apply to this curriculum once a year during spring semester. Students ready to begin Forestry Practicum will be sent a “Summer Practicum Application Link” in the month of January to apply to the Forestry Practicum for the upcoming summer. To be considered for admission, a student must have completed or be currently enrolled in all prerequisite coursework, which must include the following courses: ENGL 1100 and ENGL 1120, BIOL 1020 and BIOL 1021, BIOL 1030 and BIOL 1031, STAT 2510 and MATH 1130. Completion of CHEM 1030/CHEM 1031 and CHEM 1040/CHEM 1041 are highly recommended prior to the start date.  All students accepted to the program must attend a required orientation the first Monday in April.

Attention Transfer Students

If this will be your first semester at Auburn — you must be accepted to the University first and indicate you plan to start in the summer term. After you receive your admission acceptance to Auburn, contact the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment Student Services Office at 334-844-1050 to notify your intent to apply to practicum. Student Services will then review your transcripts and send you the “Summer Practicum Application Link.” All transfer students accepted to the program must attend a required orientation on the first Monday in April.

Accreditation

The major is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). Prior to graduation, students who have completed the degree meet the requirements to participate in the SAF examination to become Registered Foresters (RF). Graduates who have passed the exam are awarded RF status by the SAF upon two years of employment.

Curriculum in Professional Forestry (FORB)

Courses in bold type above are components of the Forestry major and must be completed with a 'C' or better.
 

¹

SLO9 must be completed in one of the Humanities, Social Science, or History core courses.

²

Student must complete a sequence in either Literature or History.

TOTAL HOURS - 124