Department of Forest and Natural Resources Management

DAVID H. NEWMAN, Chair
320 Bray Hall
315-470-6534; FAX 315-470-6535

• Department of Forest and Natural Resources Management website
  

The Department of Forest and Natural Resources Management (FNRM) offers programs leading to the bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at the main college campus in Syracuse, N.Y. and two programs leading to the associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree at The Ranger School in Wanakena, N.Y. See page 103 for information about the associate of applied science degrees in forest technology and land surveying technology.

Faculty

ABRAHAMSON (Integrated Vegetation Management, Woody Biomass Energy), ABDEL-AZIZ (Applied Mathematics), BEVILACQUA (Forest Measurements, Statistics), BRIGGS (Forest Soils, Silviculture), DAWSON (Recreation Management, Wilderness Management), DREW (Tree Physiology, Forest Ecology, Physiological Ecology), GERMAIN (Sus-tainable Forestry Systems, Forest Operations), HERRINGTON (Resource Information Management, Geographic Information Systems), Kuehn (Recreation Resources Management and Tourism), LAUTZ (Hydrology, Watershed Management), LAVIE (Applied Mathematics), LUZADIS (Non-market Values, Ecological Economics), MALMSHEIMER (Forest and Natural Resources Law and Policy), MAYNARD (Tree Improvement, Plant Tissue Culture and Transformation), MORRISON (Resource Sociology and Urban Forestry), NEWMAN, Chair (Forest economics), C. NOWAK (Silviculture, Intensive Forestry, Forest Vegetation Manage-ment), NYLAND (Silviculture and Forest Management), SCHUSTER (Recreation Resources Management), STEHMAN (Statistics, Environ-mental Sampling), STELLA (Watershed Management), VONHOF (Natural Resources History), WAGNER (Forest Resource Economics, Business), E. WHITE (Soils, Tree Nutrition), YANAI (Forest Soils, Ecosystem Nutrient Cycling, Simulation Modeling), ZHANG (Biometrics, Quantitative Silviculture)

Adjunct Faculty:

BICK, BURNS, CASTRO, HEISLER, D. NOWAK, PEREZ, STOUT, VERVERS, D. WHITE, WOOD

Mission and Vision

ESF's forest and natural resources management programs are science-based and values-driven. The integration of values and scientific facts characterize professions that are successful in democracies. ESF-trained foresters and natural resource managers are able to integrate these two threads in America's complex society.

The mission of ESF forest and natural resources management programs is to produce knowledge and to transmit it to our customers; to encourage continual learning about forest and related renewable resources and their role in making people's lives better; and to develop leaders who will manage renewable resources on a sustainable basis.

The department’s vision of professional forest and natural resource managers is that they are problem solvers who master disciplinary knowledge and skills, then integrate them to protect and manage forest and natural resources; and leaders who help people solve the more complex problems with the world's forest and natural resources.

ESF forest and natural resources management’s educational goals, as a consequence, are to:

• Understand forests and related natural resources — how they function and their dynamics;
• Be skilled in managing forests and other natural resources and  predicting the consequences;
• Monitor citizen and owner values of forests and other natural resources and be respectful of them; and
• Integrate values with scientific facts and know the limits of our knowledge.

Undergraduate Programs

The forest and natural resources management programs prepare students for work with public and private sector organizations and consultancies and for further professional or scientific study at the graduate level. Students develop professional skills, which employers look for in new employees:

• Management skills including leadership, communication skills, and teamwork;
• Scientific knowledge and technical skills in measurements and analysis for management;
• The ability to analyze and solve resource management problems using both social and biophysical sciences, and
• A clear understanding of ethics and stewardship.

These skills are best developed by a broad base in the social sciences and humanities, communication, the natural sciences, and quantitative and qualitative methods. The majority of coursework taken during the first two years (lower division) is in these basics.

Students are required to complete general education requirements and a professional core. Forest resources management students may concentrate some of their technical electives. Natural resources management majors complete an upper-division option in environmental and natural resources management, recreation resources management or water resources management.

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Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources Management

Professional forestry education has been featured at ESF since the College's founding in 1911. Today's forest resources management program is based on a clear vision that combines professional com-petency with a strong foundation in the biophysical sciences, humanities, and social sciences to meet society's needs for forest managers.

Many ESF students enjoy trees and forests and want to work in forested settings. They appreciate nature, and want to master the knowledge and skills needed to conserve and manage forests and the environment. With 25,000 acres of College forest lands as teaching and research laboratories, ESF provides many opportunities to meet student needs for experiential learning. The forest technology program at ESF's Wanakena campus prepares students for careers in field forestry and is a route to the forest resources management program that emphasizes field practice. Internships with forest-based organizations in the private, public and nonprofit sectors amplify these hands-on experiences. Practical experience is combined with learning concepts and problem solving and critical thinking skills in the classroom and laboratory on ESF's Syracuse campus. The educational outcomes of the forest resources management degree program are among the best anywhere in North America.

Forest resources management is an integration of forest ecology and biology, forest measurements, forest policy and administration, and courses to predict and evaluate the effects of manipulation. Timber, water, recreation, wildlife, and a broad array of environ-mental values and services, such as biodiversity and healthy forest systems, are important results of effective management. This major prepares students to be well-rounded generalists who can practice forestry and succeed as professionals in a variety of allied natural resource management fields.

The educational program in forest resources management, leading to the first professional degree in forestry of the bachelor of science in forest resources management is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). SAF is recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation as the specialized accrediting body for forestry in the United States.

Forest management offers a wide variety of employment opportunities. Our graduates are working throughout the United States as professional foresters and natural resource managers in public agencies, private industry, and for nonprofit organizations. Their duties range from timber management to recreation planning to environmental education, to name a few.

The undergraduate curriculum in forest resources management consists of two broad categories of courses. The first category, general education, provides students with knowledge and skills that are useful and important for all educated persons regardless of their profession as well as preparation for advanced courses leading to a specific profession. The second category, professional courses, provides students with direct preparation for a career. The first two years of college usually focus on general education and the second two on the professional studies.

Summer Program

The Summer Program is required for ALL students in forest resources management. The program is a four-week session that begins at the end of May and lasts through late June. It is taught at ESF's Wanakena Campus in the Adirondacks. The program consists of two courses: FOR 301 Adirondack Forest Ecology and Dendrology and FOR 303 Introduction to Forest Resources Measurements. Students must complete the summer program before the junior year. However, the summer program may be completed after the freshman year. We encourage students to complete the summer program early because it expands job opportunities.

Program Admission

Students may follow one of three paths to enter and complete the forest resources management program:

• The freshman path is for students who enter ESF as a freshman and complete all degree requirements at ESF with the Summer Program after the first or second year (first year preferred).
• The combined A.A.S./B.S. path is for students who wish to have more field measurement and field problem-solving skills and leadership development in context of forestry problems. The first year can be at ESF or another college and the second year is spent at The Ranger School, Wanakena campus. Students then complete their B.S. degree requirements at ESF. This path can usually be completed in a total of four years.
• The transfer path is for students who complete all or part of their lower division coursework at another two- or four-year campus, attend the Summer Program the summer before entering ESF and complete the upper-division requirements at ESF. Students preparing to transfer to ESF with full junior status must have earned at least 60 credits of college coursework.

Undergraduate Program Requirements

Lower Division Required Courses (53 credits)

Courses                                                                                           Credits

APM	105	Survey of Calculus and Its Applications I	G 1	4
APM	391	Introduction to Probability and Statistics		3
CLL	190	Writing and the Environment	G	3
CLL	290	Writing, Humanities and the Environment	G	3
CMN	220	Public Presentation Skills for Environmental Professionals		3
EFB	226	General Botany	G	4
EFB	285	Principles of Zoology		4
ESF	200	Information Literacy		1
EST	200	Cultural Ecology	G	3
FCH	150	General Chemistry I		3
FCH	151	General Chemistry Laboratory I		1
FCH	152	General Chemistry II		3
FCH	153	General Chemistry Laboratory II		1
FOR	132	Orientation Seminar: Forest and Natural Resources Management 2	PE 3	1
FOR	203	Western Civilization and the Environment	G	3
FOR	207	Introduction to Economics	G	3
FOR	332	Forest Ecology	PE	3
FOR	360	Principles of Management		3
PHY	211	General Physics I		3
PHY	221	General Physics Laboratory I		1

Electives (9 credits)

COURSES		CREDITS
General Education Course: American History	G	3
General Education Course: The Arts	G	3
Humanities Elective 4		3

Upper Division Required Summer Courses (4 credits)

The summer following the first or second year, students must take:

FOR	301	Adirondack Forest Ecology and Dendrology	PE	1
FOR	303	Introduction to Forest Resources Measurements	PE	3

Upper Division Required Courses (39 credits)

EFB	336	Dendrology	PE	3
ESF	332	Seminar for New Transfer Students 5		0
FOR	322	Forest Mensuration	PE	3
FOR	323	Forest Biometrics		3
FOR	324	Natural Resources Information Systems		3
FOR	333	Natural Resources Management	PE	3
FOR	334	Silviculture	PE	4
FOR	345	Introduction to Soils	PE	3
FOR	370	Timber Management	PE	4
FOR	372	Fundamentals of Outdoor Recreation	PE	3
FOR	373	Forest Operations	PE	4
FOR	465	Natural Resources Policy	PE	3
FOR	490	Integrated Resource Management	PE	3

 

Electives (24 credits)

COURSES		CREDITS
Technical Electives 6	PE	12
Electives	PE	12

Total minimum credits for the degree                                                                          129 credits

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Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Management

The natural resources management program is based on a vision that combines professional competency in management skills with a strong foundation in the social and biophysical sciences. Students interested in this program typically are drawn to natural settings and environments, enjoy nature, and want to develop the professional knowledge and skills needed to conserve, steward and manage natural resources and the environment. ESF provides a wide variety of opportunities to meet student needs utilizing 25,000 acres of forest lands as teaching laboratories and College faculty in many natural resource management disciplines. Internships with natural resource-based organizations in the business, public and nonprofit sectors provide additional hands-on experiences. Experiential field learning is combined with learning concepts and skills in the classroom and laboratory on ESF's Syracuse campus.

The natural resources management program allows students to develop professional skills that employers tell us are the most important traits they look for in new employees. These traits are developed through a broad base of classes in the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities, communication, and quantitative and qualitative problem-solving skills. The majority of work scheduled during the first two years (lower division) is in these areas. This major prepares students to be well-rounded natural resources managers with an emphasis in environmental and natural resources management, recreation resources management, or water resources management and prepares them with a foundation for future graduate degree work.

Natural resources management offers a wide variety of employment opportunities. Graduates work throughout the United States in public agencies, private industry, and for nonprofit organizations. Their duties range from policy analysis for federal agencies to resource managers for nonprofit organizations; from recreation planning for state park agencies to recreation management in federal wilderness areas; and from watershed hydrologists to land managers maintaining surface water quality.

Students enrolled in the natural resources management degree program must complete one of three management-focused options: environmental and natural resources management, recreation resources management, or water resources management.

Environmental and Natural Resources Management Option

The environmental and natural resources management option is designed for students interested in careers managing natural and environmental resources. As human demands on the environment increase, society needs managers that understand the economic, demographic, social, and political issues that drive resource use allocation. Students learn how to integrate and balance the com-plexities of managing both resources and people recognizing that resource decisions involve value-driven conflicts. The option provides a comprehensive foundation in environmental and natural resources issues and an understanding of both biophysical and social science.

Students in the option are encouraged to enroll in one of the three ESF management minors: general management studies, entrepreneurship, or marketing. These minors provide students with professional groundwork in business administration, such as accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, marketing, and human resources. Managers use this foundation for effective and efficient management and for successful program implementation.

This option allows students to customize their program of study by focusing on a particular resource or group of resources. It provides graduates the knowledge and skills necessary to work in a variety of managerial, legislative, regulatory, and other positions for environ-mental consulting firms, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and industry. Option graduates may also choose to pursue graduate studies in a variety of disciplines, including policy, law, adminis-tration, or biological processes.

Recreation Resources Management Option

The recreation resources management option provides students with the opportunity to combine resources management with recreation management. This is a resources-oriented curriculum with consideration of the social, economic, and environmental factors related to their management. In addition, outdoor recreation courses provide professional insight into planning and managing natural resources for recreational users, tourists and visitors.

Consideration of the demand for public and private lands for recreational activities, or human dimensions, is placed in the curri-culum after the student has a good understanding of the natural resources management situation. Understanding the motivations, preferences, and behavior of recreational users is necessary to integrate the human dimensions into natural resource management.

Recreation, tourism, and travel are an inter-related industry that is important to the economy of New York, the Northeast, and the entire nation. Recreation and tourism activities have both positive and negative social, economic, and environmental impacts at the local, regional, national, and global level. Natural resources managers need to be able to manage both the resource itself as well as a wide variety of users, such as campers, anglers, hikers, bird watchers, skiers, boaters, and others who enjoy forests, lakes, streams, mountains, and rural environments.

Water Resources Management Option

Water resources management prepares students for professional careers or graduate study in the rapidly expanding field of water resources. Protection, restoration, maintenance, and enhancement of aquatic resources are essential to society. Management of watersheds is becoming more important as the population increases and demand for high-quality water supplies grows.

As the name implies, this is a resource-oriented option. It is built on course offerings and faculty strengths throughout ESF and Syracuse University. These include the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water in its many natural and managed contexts. Equally important, the legal, social, political, and economic dimensions of water can be studied by students with policy and management aspirations.

Graduates may qualify for civil service hydrology positions, or find a variety of employment opportunities in public agencies, planning groups, private consulting firms, and non-profit organizations.

Summer Program

The Summer Program is required for ALL students in natural resources management. The summer program is a four-week session that begins at the end of May and lasts through late June. It is taught at ESF's Wanakena Campus in the Adirondacks. The program consists of two courses: FOR 301 Adirondack Forest Ecology and Dendrology and FOR 303 Introduction to Forest Resources Measurements.

Students must complete the summer program before the junior year. However, the summer program may be completed after the freshman year. Students are encouraged to complete the summer program early because it expands job opportunities.

Program Admission

Students may follow one of three paths to enter and complete the natural resources management program:

• The freshman path is for students who enter ESF as a freshman and complete all degree requirements at ESF with the Summer Program after the first or second year (first year preferred).
• The combined A.A.S./B.S. path is for students who wish to have more field measurement and field problem-solving skills and leadership development in context of forestry problems. The first year can be at ESF or another campus and the second year is spent at The Ranger School, Wanakena campus. Students then complete their B.S. degree requirements at ESF. This path can usually be completed in a total of four years.
• The transfer path is for students who complete all or part of their lower-division coursework at another two or four-year campus, attend the Summer Program the summer before entering ESF and complete the upper-division requirements at ESF. Students preparing to transfer to ESF with full junior status must have earned at least 60 credits of college coursework.

Undergraduate Program Requirements

Lower Division Required Courses (52-53 credits)

APM	105	Pre-Calculus or Survey of Calculus and Its Applications I	G 7	3-4
APM	391	Introduction to Probability and Statistics		3
CLL	190	Writing and the Environment	G	3
CLL	290	Writing, Humanities and the Environment	G	3
CMN	220	Public Presentation Skills for Environmental Professionals		3
EFB	226	General Botany	G	4
EFB	285	Principles of Zoology		4
EFB	320	General Ecology		4
ESF	200	Information Literacy		1
EST	200	Cultural Ecology	G	3
FCH	150	General Chemistry I		3
FCH	151	General Chemistry Laboratory I		1
FCH PHY	152/ 153 211/ 221	General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II or General Physics I and General Physics Laboratory I		4
FOR	132	Orientation Seminar: Forest and Natural Resources Management 8	PE 9	1
FOR	202	Introduction to Sociology		3
FOR	203	Western Civilization and the Environment	G	3
FOR	207	Introduction to Economics	G	3
FOR	360	Principles of Management		3

Electives (9 credits)

COURSES		CREDITS
General Education Course: American History	G	3
General Education Course: The Arts	G	3
Humanities Elective 10		3

Upper Division Required Summer Courses (4 credits)

The summer following the first or second year, students must take:

FOR	301	Adirondack Forest Ecology and Dendrology	PE	1
FOR	303	Introduction to Forest Resources Measurements	PE	3

Upper Division Required Courses (12 credits)

ESF	332	Seminar for New Transfer Students 11		0
FOR	333	Natural Resources Management	PE	3
FOR	345	Introduction to Soils 12	PE	3
FOR	465	Natural Resources Policy	PE	3
FOR	490	Integrated Resource Management	PE	3

Upper Division Elective Courses (25 credits)

COURSES		CREDITS
Applied Biology and Ecology Electives 13	PE	6
Mathematics, Statistics, or Geospatial Analysis Elective	PE	3
Senior Thesis, Internship, or Independent Study	PE	3
Electives	PE	9

Environmental and Natural Resources Management Option Required Courses (24 credits)

CLL	405	Writing for Science Professionals	PE	3
FOR	321	Forest Ecology and Silviculture	PE	3
FOR	324	Natural Resources Information Systems	PE	3
FOR	488	Natural Resources Agencies and Administration	PE	3
		Directed Electives in Environmental and Natural Resources Management	PE	12

Recreation Resources Management Option Required Courses

(15 credits)

FOR	372	Fundamentals of Outdoor Recreation	PE	3
FOR	473	Planning and Development of Forest Recreation Areas	PE	3
FOR	475	Human Behavior and Recreation Visitor Management	PE	3
FOR	476	Tourism and Commercial Recreation	PE	3
FOR	488	Natural Resources Agencies and Administration	PE	3

AND at least nine credits from the following courses (9 credits)

EFB	390	Wildlife Ecology and Management		4
EFB	416	Introduction to Environmental Interpretation	PE	3
EFB	417	Perspectives in Interpretive Design	PE	3
EFB	418	Interpretation of Field Biology	PE	3
EFB	487	Fisheries Science and Management	PE	3
FOR	478	Wilderness and Wildlands Management	PE	3

Water Resources Management Required Courses (24 credits)

FOR	321	Forest Ecology and Silviculture	PE	3
FOR	324	Introduction to GIS in Resources Management	PE	3
FOR	338	Meteorology	PE	3
FOR	340	Watershed Hydrology	PE	3
FOR	443	Forest Hydrology	PE	3
		Directed Electives in Hydrology, Ecosystems, or Management	PE	9

Total minimum credits for the degree                                                                        122 credits

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Bachelor of Science in Forest Ecosystem Science

The bachelor of science in forest ecosystem science degree program is based on a vision that combines professional competency in forest management skills with an enhanced understanding of ecological sciences. Students interested in this program typically are drawn to natural settings and environments, enjoy nature, and want to understand how forested ecosystems work. ESF provides a wide variety of opportunities to meet student needs utilizing 25,000 acres of forest lands as teaching laboratories. Internships with natural resource-based organizations in the business, public and nonprofit sectors provide additional hands-on experiences. Experiential field learning is combined with learning concepts and skills in the classroom and laboratory on ESF's Syracuse campus.

The program allows students to develop professional skills that employers look for in new employees. These skills are developed through a combination of core courses required in the undergraduate programs in forest resources management and in environmental biology. Forest ecosystem science offers a wide variety of employment opportunities. Graduates work throughout the United States in public agencies, private industry, and for nonprofit organizations. They also are well prepared to enter graduate programs in management of natural resources, ecological research, or other areas of applied forest biology.

The undergraduate curriculum in forest ecosystem science consists of two broad categories of courses. The first category, general education, provides students with knowledge and skills that are useful and important for all educated persons regardless of their profession as well as preparation for advanced courses leading to a specific profession. The second category, professional courses, provides students with direct preparation for a career. The first two years of college usually focus on general education and the second two on the professional studies.

Summer Program

The Summer Program is required for ALL students in forest ecosystem science. The program is a four-week session that begins at the end of May and lasts through late June. It is taught at ESF's Wanakena Campus in the Adirondacks. The program consists of two courses: FOR 301 Adirondack Forest Ecology and Dendrology and FOR 303 Introduction to Forest Resources Measurements.

Forest ecosystem science students must complete the summer program before the junior year. However, the summer program may be completed after the freshman year. We encourage students to complete the summer program early because it expands job opportunities.

Program Admission

Students may follow one of three paths to enter and complete the forest ecosystem science program:

• The freshman path is for students who enter ESF as freshmen and complete all degree requirements at ESF with the Summer Program after the first or second year (first year preferred).
• The combined A.A.S/B.S. path is for students who wish to have more field measurement and field problem solving skills and leadership development in context of natural resource problems. The first year can be at ESF or another campus and the second year is spent at the Ranger School on the Wanakena campus. Students then complete their B.S. degree requirements at ESF. This path can usually be completed in a total of five years.

• The transfer path is for students who complete all or part of their lower-division coursework at another two- or four-year campus, attend the Summer Program the summer before entering ESF, and complete the upper-division requirements at ESF. Students preparing to transfer to ESF with full junior status must have earned at least 60 credits of college coursework.

Program Requirements

Lower Division Required Courses (44 credits):

Courses                                                                                         Credits

APM	105	Calculus and Its Applications I	G 14	4
APM	391	Introduction to Probability and Statistics		3
CLL	190	Writing and the Environment	G	3
CLL	290	Writing, Humanities and the Environment	G	3
EFB	226	General Botany	G	4
EFB	285	Principles of Zoology		4
ESF	200	Information Literacy		1
FCH	150	General Chemistry I		3
FCH	151	General Chemistry Laboratory I		1
FCH	152	General Chemistry II		3
FCH	153	General Chemistry Laboratory II		1
FOR	132	Orientation Seminar: Forest and Natural Resources Management	PE 15	1
FOR	207	Introduction to Economics	G	3
FOR	332	Forest Ecology	PE	3
FOR	360	Principles of Management		3
PHY	211	General Physics I		3
PHY	221	General Physics Laboratory I		1

Lower Division Elective Courses (18 credits):

COURSES		CREDITS
Directed Electives: Basic Biology 16		6
General Education Course: American History	G	3
General Education Course: The Arts	G	3
General Education Course: Western Civilizations	G	3
General Education Course: Other World Civilizations	G	3

Upper Division Required Summer Courses (4 credits):

The summer following the first or second year, students must take:

FOR	301	Adirondack Forest Ecology and Dendrology	PE	1
FOR	303	Introduction to Forest Resource Measurements	PE	3

Upper Division Required Courses (minimum 25 credits):

EFB	336	Dendrology	PE	3
FOR	322	Forest Mensuration	PE	3
FOR	323	Forest Biometrics	PE	3
FOR	324	Natural Resources Information Systems	PE	3
FOR	334	Silviculture	PE	4
FOR	345	Introduction to Soils	PE	3
FOR	465	Natural Resources Policy	PE	3
FOR	490	Integrated Resource Management	PE	3

Upper Division Elective Courses (37 credits):

COURSES		CREDITS
Directed Electives: Advanced Biology 16	PE	6
Directed Electives: Ecosystems/Ecology 16	PE	9
Directed Electives: Management 16	PE	3
Directed Elective: Human Dimensions16	PE	3
Free Electives		12

Total minimum credits for the degree                                                                        128 credits

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Undergraduate Minors

Forest and natural resources management students who meet eligibility requirements may take one of three minors in manage-ment: marketing, entrepreneurship, or general management studies, or the minor in computer and information technology. The minors comprise courses taught at ESF and at Syracuse University. To be eligible for admission to one of the management minors, students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.750 or better after one semester at ESF. To be eligible for admission to the minor in computer and information technology, students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.800 or better after one semester at ESF.

ESF offers a campus-wide minor in urban environmental science that allows students to (1) gain the ability to identify and analyze the biophysical and social aspects of urban environmental issues from a systems science perspective; (2) develop students’ awareness of how diverse social, cultural and urbanization forces influence human perception of, and relation to the environment; and (3) foster students’ ability to synthesize efficient, equitable and sustainable management, policy and design strategies to improve and sustain the quality of life in the urban community. Graduates of the program can make important professional contributions in forest and natural resources issues like urban forestry, urban hydrology, and urban wildlife. A complete list of required and elective courses is available in the FNRM Handbook. A complete description of minors available to ESF students is on page 9.

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Graduate Programs

The Department of Forest and Natural Resources Management (FNRM) offers the master of science (M.S.), the master of professional studies (M.P.S.), the master of forestry (M.F.), and doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. The graduate program is organized in areas of study designed to provide students with a strong background within specific interest areas. Faculty with nationally and internationally recognized expertise define the area of study’s subject matter and guide students through an individually-designed program of study appropriate to student goals and aspirations. The FNRM graduate program prepares students for careers in resource administration, management, scientific research, professional education, and a variety of other specialized positions related to the sustainable management of forest ecosystems. Students with non-natural resources bachelor's or master's degree and a strong interest in forests are encouraged to apply.

Master of Forestry (M.F.): The M.F. degree is designed to provide students with non-forestry baccalaureates a professional education in forestry. As such, the degree is designed to be students’ first professional degree in forestry. The degree is appropriate for students who want to successfully function as professional foresters on multidisciplinary forest management teams and respond to the challenges related to the sustainable management of local, regional, and global forest resources.

The degree requires at least 30 graduate credits of coursework. At least 24 of the coursework credits must be taken in residence at ESF. Students must also complete a set of core forestry courses that meet the accreditation standards of the Society of American Foresters. The current Forest and Natural Resources Management Graduate Handbook (www.esf.edu/for/GradHandbook.pdf) specifies these requirements.

Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.): The M.P.S. degree is a coursework-based degree that enables students to increase, define, and integrate their natural science and social science knowledge and expertise in forest and natural resources management. The degree is designed to be the first professional degree in forest and natural resources management. It is appropriate for students with a baccalaureate degree in a natural resources-related discipline interested in enhancing their knowledge of forest and natural resources management, and for students with other baccalaureate degrees seeking an expertise in forest and natural resources management.

The degree requires at least 30 graduate credits of coursework. At least 24 of the course credits must be taken in residence at ESF. Within these credits, students must complete a core of required courses and other requirements. The current Forest and Natural Resources Man-agement Graduate Handbook (www.esf.edu/for/GradHandbook.pdf) specifies these requirements.

Master of Science (M.S.): The M.S. degree enables students to investigate practical forest and natural resources research problems and apply their specialized knowledge to solve those problems. The degree provides students with coherent body of theory and a set of appropriate methods to test that theory by completing a thesis. The M.S. degree is appropriate for students entering professions that require a research-based degree (such as environmental agencies and organizations that focus on science) and for students planning on completing a Ph.D. degree.

The degree requires at least 30 graduate credits, of which 24 are for coursework and six for the thesis. One-half of the 24 hours of coursework must be at the 600-level or above. At least 18 of the coursework credits must be taken in residence at ESF. All students must take one FOR 797 topical seminar and one additional graduate seminar.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): The Ph.D. degree is normally built upon a M.S. degree, but in some instances it can be undertaken after a non-research based graduate degree (such as a J.D., M.B.A, M.P.A, or M.P.S. degree). The degree provides students with an opportunity for in-depth study and to conduct a comprehensive scientifically based research program using advanced research tools. Ph.D. dissertations are expected to lead to number of peer-reviewed articles in influential journals. The degree is appropriate for students interested in advanced positions as forest and natural resources educators, managers, and analysts.

The degree requires at least 60 graduate credit hours, of which 48 are for coursework and 12 for the dissertation. One-half of the 48 hours of coursework must be at the 600-level or above. At least 24 coursework credits must be taken in residence at ESF. All students must take one FOR 797 topical seminar and one additional graduate seminar.

Research Facilities and Faculty

FNRM students work with faculty in a variety of sophisticated lab-oratories. Graduate students have access to diverse analytical equipment and measuring devices, and comprehensive, investigative computing capabilities. Field research occurs throughout the world, particularly in the Northeast. ESF's 25,000 acres on regional New York state campuses and field stations offer a broad diversity of forest ecosystems for teaching and intensive research that evaluates terrestrial and aquatic environments. Faculty and students also pursue research on lands managed by the state Department of Environmental Conser-vation, USDA Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Land Management. Many students also conduct research and serve internships in Washington, D.C., New York City, Albany, and other international, national, regional, and state resource management headquarters.

FNRM graduate students work closely with faculty recognized by their students and peers as among the best in the world. FNRM faculty include SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professors and Distinguished Service Professors, as well as recipients of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Professional Service, and the ESF President’s Public Service Award. More than a third of FNRM professors have been awarded the ESF Distinguished Teacher Award by the ESF student body, many more than once. ESF professors also serve in leadership roles in professional societies.

Funding Opportunities

More than 70 percent of full-time FNRM graduate students receive partial or full support through graduate research or teaching assistant-ships. Awards range from $11,060 to $27,000 per year. All fully-supported students receive tuition scholarships, and health insurance. In addition to assistantships, FNRM annually awards several fellowships, based on students’ accomplishments and promise for future professional and personal development. We also offer some graduate student stipends to support semester-long and summer internship experiences.

Collaborative Arrangements

FNRM encourages interdisciplinary graduate programs. This often involves selecting steering committee members from other ESF and Syracuse University departments, or more formally, by arranging for joint study with other college departments and with Syracuse University. Concurrent degree programs that provide the student with two masters' degrees, one from ESF and another from Syracuse University, are available with the following SU schools: School of Management, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, and School of Education.

Concurrent degree programs usually add at least an additional year to a master's program of study. To be eligible, a student must have been matriculated full-time at the college for at least one semester, must have a grade point average of at least 3.500, and must be formally accepted into the concurrent degree program by the other school. Students who are interested in any of these programs must complete an application process through the ESF Office of Instruction and Graduate Studies within their first year of study.

Areas of Study

The FNRM graduate degree program offers students opportunities to pursue individualized advanced study in seven areas of study or an interdisciplinary doctoral program.  Each area of study description includes a sampling of faculty members' research interests and employment opportunities. With more than 75 graduate students currently in FNRM programs, these examples are only highlights from the wealth of opportunities available. Additional information about each of these areas of study is available by telephone, e-mail, or written request to any of the professors listed, and at: www.esf.edu/for/grad.htm.

Environmental and Natural Resources Policy  (M.S., M.P.S.)

Participating Faculty: GERMAIN, LUZADIS, MALMSHEIMER, NEWMAN, WAGNER

The environmental and natural resources policy area includes professional and scientific studies examining how society makes and implements decisions regarding its forest and natural resources. The program exposes students to a coherent body of theory, a set of appropriate methods, and challenging applications. The applications include:

• Forest, environmental, and ecological economics, and
• Forest and natural resources policy.

Faculty members are conducting studies at international, national, state, and local levels on sustainability, implementation and administration of forest and natural resources programs, and economic and institutional influences and impacts of government and nongovernment policies.

Policy graduates find jobs with government, consulting firms, not-for-profit organizations, advocacy groups and academic institutions. Graduates often begin their careers as policy or program analysts and many become leaders in government, legislatures, corporations, consulting firms, and academia at institutions throughout the world.

Forest and natural resources policy students often supplement their ESF coursework with courses from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. A number of students enroll in a concurrent master of public administration (M.P.A.) degree program.

Forest Ecosystem Science and Applications (M.S., M.P.S., Ph.D.)

Participating Faculty: Abrahamson, BEVILACQUA, Briggs, Drew, GERMAIN, Maynard, C. Nowak, Nyland, VOLK, Yanai

Graduate study in forest ecosystems includes the basic science of biophysical processes and how these processes are manipulated for ecological and social benefit. The applications include:

• Forest ecology and silviculture
• Forest genetics and tree improvement
• Forest soil classification and productivity
• Integrated vegetation management
• Intensive silviculture of plantations
• Nutrient cycling and simulation modeling
• Tree physiology and physiological ecology
• Urban and greenspace forestry

Students focusing on ecological physiology or forest ecology study competitive and synergistic interactions among plants or interactions among plants and the physical environment in urban or forest settings, in the northern hardwood region, or in the tropics. Study in forest genetics focuses on the genetic structure of natural and managed populations of forest trees, or on using the latest tools of biotech-nology to enhance the ability of forest trees to resist biotic and abiotic stresses. Students studying nutrient cycling assess the impact of land use on the structure and function of forest soils, or explore methods for ensuring soil stability and productivity. Studies in silviculture and forest tree improvement evaluate the means for altering the composition, character, and dynamics of tree com-munities of varying composition and the stages of development using information and understanding from ecological, managerial, and social sciences. Besides sustaining stable and resilient forested ecosystems, including plant and animal habitat, forest management often strives to provide ancillary values for recreation and aesthetics, water quality, and the recovery of wood products and other commodities. Students in this area of study frequently take courses in related disciplines such as forest pathology and entomology, plant biotechnology, hydrology and watershed management, wildlife and fisheries biology, landscape architecture, biometrics, forest economics, and forest policy management.

The growing concern with forests as forest ecosystems is expanding the need for professionals in this area of study. Graduates have careers as specialists or researchers with a wide variety of public agencies, universities, industrial firms, and nonprofit organizations. Opportunities are likely to grow steadily in the U.S. and other nations during the next decade.

Forest Hydrology and Watershed Management (M.S., M.P.S., Ph.D.)

Participating Faculty: HERRINGTON, LAUTZ, STELLA, YANAI

Water quantity and water quality are important to the highly urbanized northeastern U.S. and are among the most pressing environmental issues globally. Within the watershed management and forest hydrology area of study, students have the opportunity to investigate hydrological processes, land use and water quality, and water supply management and policy. The applications include:

• Forest and watershed hydrology
• Hydrologic processes and modeling
• Soil and water conservation
• Water resources policy
• Watershed geospatial modeling and analysis

Students enter this area of study with undergraduate backgrounds in natural resources, environmental sciences, management and policy, and many other areas. Courses in the option are watershed-based and highly interdisciplinary. The option also has strong links to other programs at ESF and Syracuse University in biogeochemistry, engineering, hydrogeology, ecology and numerical modeling. Faculty research focuses on the watershed as the fundamental landscape unit for studying the fluxes of water, energy and matter in the environment. Graduate students' research projects often have ties to externally funded research watersheds in the region and may take the form of combined field, laboratory and modeling studies. Career oppor-tunities exist with all levels of government, and in consulting, research, and education.

Forest Management and Operations (M.F.)

Participating Faculty: BEVILACQUA, BRIGGS, GERMAIN, NOWAK, WAGNER

The master of forestry (M.F.) graduate degree program enables students to integrate knowledge and expertise drawn from both the natural and social sciences, and to apply their knowledge to solve practical forest management problems. The primary focus of the program is to provide an opportunity for graduates coming from diverse academic backgrounds with non-forestry baccalaureates to gain a professional education in forestry. As such, the program is designed to be the first professional degree in forestry attained by a student.

Graduates will successfully function as professional foresters on multidisciplinary forest management teams and respond to the challenges related to the sustainable management of local, regional and global forest resources.

Students with an undergraduate degree in a related discipline (e.g., ecology, biology, wildlife, chemistry) can complete the M.F. degree in 12-18 months. Students with a general science background, but little or no natural resources experience, will require 18-24 months to complete the program. More than four semesters may be required for students from non-science backgrounds who need additional basic undergraduate coursework as part of their program of study. The curriculum is designed for fall admission, but spring semester admission is possible.

Natural Resources Management (M.S., M.P.S., Ph.D.)

Participating Faculty: BRIGGS, DREW, GERMAIN, LUZADIS, MALMSHEIMER, C. NOWAK, NYLAND, VOLK

The natural resources management area includes professional and scientific studies regarding how organizations make and implement decisions on the ground for forests and related natural resources. The applications include:

• Environmental and ecological economics
• Forest resource management
• International forest policy and management
• Multiple use planning and management
• Urban and community forestry

Graduate studies in this area often integrate other areas of study, especially forest ecosystems, watershed hydrology and management, environmental and natural resource policy, and quantitative methods. Most students include a specialty like economics, statistics, or ecology as part of their graduate program of study. Faculty members conduct studies on urban forests, harvesting practices on small forest ownerships in New York, sustainable forestry practices on private and public forestlands, multiple-use management throughout North America, and social forestry in several tropical nations.

Job opportunities are growing. Industry, government, consulting firms, and not-for-profit organizations employ graduates from this area of study as analysts and managers. Research opportunities are available in both research and operating organizations.

Quantitative Methods in Forest Science and Management (M.S., M.P.S., Ph.D.)

Participating Faculty: BEVILACQUA, HERRINGTON, STEHMAN, WAGNER, ZHANG

Quantitative techniques are valuable both for managing forest resources and for conducting research on forests. Graduate study of quantitative methods is designed to develop skills in the application of mathematical, statistical, and computer-based problem analysis and solution. The applications include:

• Applied statistics
• Forest growth and yield modeling
• Forest inventory and mensuration
• Geospatial modeling and analysis
• Operations research
• Spatial sampling of environmental factors

Areas of faculty research include statistical methods of sampling and data analysis, optimization methodologies for forest resources management, forest biometrics, and natural resources applications of geographic information systems. Additional courses in quantitative methods are available through Syracuse University. Students enter this area of study with diverse backgrounds. Some students have an undergraduate degree in areas such as the biological sciences, forestry, wildlife, or agriculture, and concentrate on strengthening their quant-itative skills. Other students have earned degrees in mathematics, statistics, or computer science, and focus on resource management.

Students who earn their degrees in the quantitative methods area of study have career opportunities as specialists with a wide variety of public organizations, such as the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, NASA, and state planning agencies. Industrial firms are looking for quantitative experts in a variety of applications, as are consulting firms and some of the major environmental non-profit organizations.

Recreation Resources Management (M.S., M.P.S., Ph.D.)

Participating Faculty: Dawson, SCHUSTER, Kuehn

Recreation and tourism, including ecotourism, are major economic factors in the U.S. and other nations. Graduate study in this area provides students with a broad understanding of the nature and purpose of outdoor recreation and tourism and how they relate to natural resources. The program emphasizes the role of and inter-relationships between the public and private sectors in providing facilities, services, and programs in recreation and tourism. The applications include:

• Human dimensions of recreational use
• Recreation resource planning
• Wilderness and wildlands management

Faculty research focuses on recreation resource management and the human dimensions of recreational use and management. Individual student programs combine study in resources management with relevant studies in the social and political sciences and the development of analytic capabilities needed to implement recreation management plans and programs. Examples of student interest include recreation planning, ecotourism planning, and wilderness visitor management. Coursework in environmental interpretation, management, and other disciplines is encouraged.

Career opportunities exist with a wide variety of public agencies, private firms, and nonprofit organizations. Recreation is a major economic sector in New York and many other states, and often is the top source of foreign exchange in developing nations and nations with strong natural resources bases such as Australia. Recreation studies in many colleges and universities offer career opportunities for graduates who want to combine teaching and research activities.

Environmental and Natural Resources Policy (Ph.D.)

Participating Faculty: FELLEMAN, GERMAIN, LUZADIS, MALMSHEIMER, MANNO, MORAN, NORDENSTAM, SENECAH, SMARDON, WAGNER

The environmental and natural resources policy Ph.D. program is a collaborative program offered by both the Department of Environ-mental Studies and the Department of Forest and Natural Resources Management. This study area investigates how societies formulate and implement decisions regarding environmental and natural resources. Doctoral students integrate the biophysical sciences and policy-related social sciences to solve important problems in environmental and natural resources policy with applications throughout the world. The program offers an opportunity to work with outstanding faculty members on applied and theoretical studies.

Faculty members conduct studies at international, national, state and local levels on sustainability, implementation and administration of environmental, natural resources, and forest management programs and economic and institutional influences and impacts of government and non-government policies. The applications include environ-mental, natural resources and forest policy and administration; and environmental, natural resources, forest and ecological economics.

The environmental and natural resources policy (ENRP) doctoral program is a highly individualized program with coursework and research determined in consultation with the student, major professor, and steering committee. Some coursework requirements may be met by transferring graduate credits as approved by the steering committee. Students may also fulfill coursework requirements by completing courses offered by the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. Specific degree requirements are described in the Handbook for Environmental and Natural Resources Policy Ph.D., available in 320 Bray Hall, 107 Marshall Hall, and on the ENRP Web site (www.esf.edu/enrp).

Students are expected to complete requirements resulting in a coherent body of theory, a depth of understanding in a specified area of biophysical science, appropriate research methods, and advanced policy analysis and understanding.

The following four core competencies must be satisfied prior to the doctoral candidacy examination. A minimum of 12 credits is required in each area.

• Natural science: graduate courses (500 level or higher) in a definable area of biophysical science
• Policy-related social science: 600-level or higher courses including at least one government course and one economics course
• Research methods: 600-level or higher courses including a general research methods course (required), qualitative methods, quantitative statistical methods, GIS, or spatial statistics
• Advanced environmental and natural resources policy: 600-level or higher courses including policy analysis and program evaluation (required).

Graduates have careers as university professors and advanced policy or program analysts. They often become leaders in government, legislatures, corporations, not-for-profit organizations, advocacy groups and academic institutions, consulting firms and village associations throughout the world.

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   Meets the requirements for general education skills and knowledge area. A complete listing of ESF or Syracuse University courses that meet general education standards established by SUNY is listed on page 8 and on the Internet at www.esf.edu/catalog/GenEd.pdf
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   Required for students who enter as freshmen.
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   Professional education course
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   The program requires an additional humanities course.
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   Required for students who enter as transfer students.
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   Technical electives must include at least one course in vegetation manipulation, water resources, forest health, and wildlife management. Students should consult with their advisor and the Forest and Natural Resources Management Handbook for recommended courses.
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   Meets the requirements for general education skills and knowledge area. A complete listing of ESF or Syracuse University courses that meet general education standards established by SUNY is listed on page 8 and on the Internet at www.esf.edu/catalog/GenEd.pdf
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   Required for students who enter as freshmen.
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   Professional education courses
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    The program requires an additional humanities course.
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    Required for students who enter as transfer students.
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    Or a geology course
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    Students should consult with their advisor and read the FNRM Handbook for lists of applied biology and ecology courses that can be elected to meet degree requirements.
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    Meets the requirements for general education skills and knowledge area. A complete listing of ESF or Syracuse University courses that meet the general education standards established by SUNY is listed on    page 8 and on the Internet at www.esf.edu/catalog/GenEd.pdf
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    Professional education course.
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    Students should consult with their advisors and read the Forest and Natural Resources Management Handbook for lists of courses that can be elected to meet degree requirements.