As pressures intensify among competing interests for use of the world’s
resources, society is becoming increasingly aware of how valuable forest
ecosystems are for protecting the economic and biological health of our planet.
Unraveling the biological complexity of forest ecosystems relies on a strong
foundation of knowledge in the natural sciences. To that end, the undergraduate
program in Forest Ecosystem Science (FES) is designed to provide students with
the breadth and depth of understanding required to become active participants in
promoting the sustainability of our forests in the future.
The FES program is a partner to the long established Forestry program at the
University of Maine. While the Forestry program focuses on the management of
forests, the FES program emphasizes the biology of forest ecosystems from the
molecular to the biosphere level. Examples of career opportunities which may be
open to graduates of the FES program include monitoring and assessment of forest
ecosystems, consulting on environmental issues, working with forest scientists
doing research in private or public forests, and pursuing graduate studies in
such areas as ecology, silviculture, forest health, tree improvement, or tree
physiology.
Maine is the most forested state in the country and provides an ideal setting
for studies in Forest Ecosystem Science. Teaching and research take advantage of
the 1,700 acre Dwight B. Demeritt Forest located adjacent to campus and the
4,000-acre Penobscot Experimental Forest located in nearby Bradley. The latter
is home to the Forest Ecosystem Research Project, an effort to develop
innovative approaches for managing forests in ways that more closely mimic the
natural system. On campus are greenhouse, laboratory, and computer facilities
that enhance the opportunities to investigate and learn about trees and forests.
As a result, the University of Maine is a recognized center for research on
trees and forest ecosystems. This provides students in FES many opportunities
for working with faculty on research projects and for developing their own
research as part of their senior project.
The following undergraduate degree program is offered through the Department
of Forest Ecosystem Science. Interested students may contact the department
chair for more information.
Bachelor of Science in Forest Ecosystem Science
The bachelor of science degree in forest ecosystem science prepares the
student for a scientific career in understanding and working with forests, and
it is an excellent preparation for graduate studies. Core courses in forest
resources cover topics such as forest biology, forest ecology, and silviculture.
Supporting courses in basic sciences and mathematics are required in areas such
as botany, chemistry, and statistics. Students in the FES program select
additional elective courses to develop depth in areas such as applied forest
ecology, forest health, forest soils, plant genetics, anatomy and physiology.
Elective courses are also used to meet General Education Requirements for other
subjects in the humanities and social sciences.
Requirements
- Satisfy general education requirements.
- Forest Ecosystem Science (FES): 100, 407, 408, 409, 416, 498, 499, and INT
256
- Forestry (FTY): 101, 105, 107, 415
- Biology (BIO): 310, 452, 453
- Organic Chemistry: BMB 221
- Chemistry (CHY): 121, 122, 123, 124
- Physics (PHY): 111
- Plant, Soil, and Environmental Sciences (PSE): 140/141 or 250
- Mathematics: MAT 151 or WLE 220, MAT 232 or FTY 104
- Economics: INT 110
- English (ENG): 101
- Elective courses needed to attain 120 credits.
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