Master of Science in Forestry Sciences - San Luis Obispo - California - California Polytechnic State University - I1995

The Master of Science degree program in Forestry Sciences has the following objectives:

1) To provide the forestry profession in California and the west with graduates educated in the forest science subdisciplines of:

• Ecosystem management in the oak woodland, chaparral and Sierran forest types
• Economics and valuation in the urban interface forest
• Watershed hydrology
• Fire ecology
• Urban and community forestry

2) To develop characteristics and qualities that transcend job-specific skills and knowledge including:

• Critical thinking/problem solving competencies
• Communications and related social competencies
• Forest management competencies using an integrated ecosystem approach
• Quantitative systems/information management competencies
• Awareness of current issues and technical forestry competencies
• Independent thought and research methods

Prerequisites: For consideration as a graduate student, an applicant will have completed a bachelorís degree in forestry at an accredited forestry four-year college or a related B.S. degree area such as environmental sciences with a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in the last 90-quarter units. An applicant who meets these standards but lacks prerequisite coursework may be admitted as a conditionally classified student and must make up any deficiencies before advancement to classified graduate standing.

Program of Study: Graduate students must file a formal study plan with their major professor, graduate committee, department, college and university graduate studies office no later than the end of the quarter in which the 12th unit of approved courses is completed.

The formal program of study must include a minimum of 45 units (at least 23 of which must be at the 500 level). The broad curriculum for the Master of Science degree in Forestry Sciences is:
a) 20 units in the required core;
b) 25 units in area of emphasis approved by the student's major professor and department head;
c) completion of a thesis or scholarly project, and an oral and written examination. At the discretion of the graduate committee, the written examination may consist of submitting an article for publication to a referred journal.