Mar 29, 2024  
2010-2011 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2010-2011 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Forest Ecosystem Science and Conservation


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OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120

Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0

Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: Students must earn a minimum grade of “C-” in all required courses having the following course designators: FES, FSC, FTY, PRT, and WSC.

Other GPA requirements to graduate: None.

Contact Information: William H. Livingston, Associate Director for Undergraduate Programs, 201b Nutting Hall, 581-2990, WilliamL@maine.edu


The Bachelor of Science in Forest Ecosystem Science and Conservation (FEC) 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.

Maine is the most forested state in the country and provides an ideal setting for studies in Forest Ecosystem Science and Conservation. Students can expect courses and work opportunities to bring them into the Maine woods as an integral part of their education.  In addition, faculty have active research programs and are the primary instructors and advisors for students resulting in an educational experience of exceptionally high quality. 

The FEC 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 FEC program emphasizes the biology and conservation of forest ecosystems from the molecular to the biosphere level.  It is possible to have a double major in FEC and Forestry as well as in FEC and Wildlife Ecology.  Other program options include the declaration of academic minors in such areas as biology, botany, earth sciences, ecology and environmental science, environmental management and policy, fisheries, forest products, forest recreation management,  plant science, soil science, surveying, or zoology. 

For more information on FEC, faculty, and related programs, visit http://www.forest.umaine.edu/

Bachelor of Science in Forest Ecosystem Science and Conservation

The FEC curricula are organized into core requirements and two areas of concentration – Forest Ecosystem Science and Forest Conservation. Students must select one concentration. The Forest Conservation concentration is flexible and allows the student to explore a wide range of topics involving trees, wildlife, soils, ecology, policy, and ecosystem management.  The Forest Ecosystem Science concentration outlines a program that will make students highly competitive for graduate studies in such areas as forest ecology, silviculture, forest health, or tree physiology.  Elective courses are also used to meet General Education Requirements for other subjects in the humanities and social sciences.

This program is part of the School of Forest Resources which has the largest scholarship endowment fund on campus.  These funds are available to help support academic studies in Forest Resources.

Any student who receives a semester GPA of less than 2.0 or receives a Conduct Violation must meet with the Associate Director for Undergraduate Programs, School of Forest Resources, during the first week of the following semester to formulate an agreement on what the student will do to improve his/her record. The agreement may require passing a 1 credit course on academic recovery. The student must also meet with his/her academic advisor to review the course schedule for the coming semester. Failure to meet these expectations may result in the student being dismissed from the program.

Core Requirements:


The following courses need to be taken by all students in FEC and total 29-30 credits.

Forest Conservation Concentration Requirements


Required courses for the concentration total 46-53 credits leaving 37-45 credits for electives.  Total credits for core, concentration, and elective courses need to equal at least 120 credits for graduation.

Conservation Biology and Ecology (2 courses required)


Capstone Courses (2 courses required)


Suggested Curriculum for B.S. in Forest Conservation


First Year - Second Semester


Second Year - First Semester


Second Year - Second Semester


Third Year - First Semester


  • Organism or Ecology Class Credits: 3-4
  • Forest Habitat Manipulation Class Credits: 3-5
  • General Education Requirement and/or Elective Credits: 6-9
  • Third Year - Second Semester


    Fourth Year - First Semester


    Fourth Year - Second Semester


    Forest Ecosystem Science Concentration Requirements


    Required courses for the concentration total 47-48 credits leaving 42-44 credits for electives.  Total credits for core, concentration, and elective courses need to equal at least 120 credits for graduation.

    Botany (all courses required)


    Quantitative (2 courses required)


    Capstone (both courses required)


    Electives 42-44 credits (120 credits needed for graduation)


    Suggested curriculum for B.S. in Forest Ecosystem Science


    First Year - Second Semester


    Second Year - Second Semester


    Third Year - First Semester


    Third Year - Second Semester


    Fourth Year - First Semester


    Fourth Year - Second Semester


    • Credits: 3
    • or

    • BIO 445 - Plant Genetics Credits:3
    • Electives Credits: 12

    • 1 If a placement test indicates that MAT 122 - Pre-Calculus is not needed, then another elective can be scheduled.

      2 PSE 250 - Forest Soil Science may be substituted, with advisor consent.

      3 MAT 437 - Statistical Methods in Research may be substituted with advisor consent.

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