2024-25 Academic Catalog

Department of Forestry

Forestry Major

Major Advisor: Dr. Courtney M. Siegert, Undergraduate Coordinator
Office: 347 Thompson Hall

The Objective. The Forestry Major prepares its graduates for professional, science-based careers in the management and use of forested ecosystems. By combining courses offering a broad general education with specialized professional courses, the curriculum of the Forestry Major is designed to produce professionally competent graduates who have appropriate development in interpersonal relations, written and oral communications, cultural understanding, environmental awareness, and professional ethics.

Accreditation. Educational programs in the Forest Management, Wildlife Management, Urban Forestry, Environmental Conservation, and Forest Business concentrations lead to a professional degree in Forestry at Mississippi State University and are accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). 

The Major. The core curriculum of the Forestry Major is comprised of specifically selected and intentionally designed courses which must be completed satisfactorily by each student who intends to graduate in this major. In addition to completing the core curriculum, each student must complete one of the five academic concentrations for specialized study offered by the Forestry Major. The five academic concentrations are Forest Management, Wildlife Management, Urban Forestry, Environmental Conservation, and Forest Business. Each concentration is an integral part of the Forestry Major and accredited by SAF. Graduates of the major are qualified to become a Registered Forester in Mississippi after completing an examination for this purpose from the Board of Registration for Foresters in Mississippi. Graduates in the Wildlife Management concentration are eligible to become Associate Wildlife Biologists under the Wildlife Society.

The Forestry Major is designed for completion in four academic years which includes a nine-week Summer Field Program between the sophomore and junior years. The Summer Field Program contains many of the prerequisites needed to enroll in junior/senior level professional courses in the Forestry Major and students should plan their schedules accordingly. Correspondence courses are not accepted toward the forestry degree.

Transfer Students. Transfer students are encouraged to enter the Forestry Major at MSU by Spring semester of their sophomore year to complete their academic programs in the normal four-year period of study. Transfer students should be aware that course work taken elsewhere may not be accepted toward a degree in forestry. Only course work that is determined by the Forestry Department to be equivalent to required course work will be accepted. In addition, no course work will be considered for acceptance unless a grade of C or better has been earned.

Degree Requirements: In addition to General Education and College requirements, students must attain a minimum grade of C in Forestry major core courses listed in the CFR Undergraduate Handbook.

Natural Resource and Environmental Conservation Major

Major Advisor: Dr. Courtney M. Siegert
Office: 347 Thompson Hall

The Objectives. The Natural Resource and Environmental Conservation major objectives are to prepare its graduates for professional careers by: 1) providing the broader general education fundamentals of written and oral communication; mathematics; biological, social, and physical sciences; and humanities which are critical to the development and advancement of well-qualified professionals; 2) providing both the relevant domains of knowledge and their application to the solution of real-world problems and achievement of defined objectives, including in-depth coverage of ecology and biology; measurement and evaluation of natural resource environmental components, properties, and functioning; management of ecosystems; and legal, regulatory, policy, and economic aspects of ecosystem administration and management; 3) establishing awareness of historical and current issues and policies affecting ecosystem management and conservation; and 4) providing a variety of educational experiences including lectures, discussion, simulations, computer applications, individual and group projects in laboratories and field experiences, and a capstone course teaching students to conduct environmental impact assessments.  The purpose of these experiences is to ensure that graduates of the program can knowledgeably develop, apply, facilitate, and/or execute natural resource and environmental management plans that adequately address matters of ownership/public goals and objectives, ecosystem health and sustainability, and the legal and regulatory environment.

Accreditation. Educational programs in the Natural Resource Law and Administration, Resource Conservation Science, and Natural Resource Technology concentrations lead to a professional degree in Natural Resource and Environmental Conservation at Mississippi State University and are accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). 

The Major. The core curriculum of the Natural Resource and Environmental Conservation major is comprised of specifically selected and intentionally designed courses that provide students with a broad background in the science, technology, and social aspects of natural resource and environmental science. In addition to general education and major core requirements, students will complete one of three concentrations: Natural Resource Law and Administration, Resource Conservation Science, or Natural Resource Technology.

Transfer students. Transfer students are encouraged to enter the Natural Resource and Environmental Conservation major at MSU in the Spring semester of their sophomore year to complete their academic programs in the normal four-year period of study. Transfer students should be aware that course work taken elsewhere may not be accepted toward the degree. Only course work that is determined by the Department of Forestry to be equivalent to required course work will be accepted. In addition, no course work will be considered for acceptance unless a grade of C or better has been earned.

Degree Requirements. In addition to General Education and College requirements, students must attain a minimum grade of C on the Natural Resource and Environmental Conservation Major Core courses taught within the CFR.