Forest science is conserving and stewarding our forests
Forest science relies on scientific principles, tools, and social values to understand, manage, and sustain forests and trees in the face of environmental and social changes.
As a Forest Science major you will:
- Gain the skills to put management ideas into practice with a fundamental knowledge of ecology and forest resources measurement, management, and policy
- Learn how to steward forest ecosystems, prevent deforestation, and respond to disturbances from insects, diseases, wildfire, climate, and fragmentation
- Understand how technology such as geographic information systems and environmental remote sensing can be used to map and inventory forests
Career Paths
Forest science graduates are prepared for careers as foresters, park rangers, conservation scientists, educators, researchers, environmental planners, arborists, and more.
Here are just a few examples of what our forest science graduates are doing with their careers:
Your CALS Experience
Join an accredited forestry program
The Forest Science major program is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) and is a key credential for many jobs. A SAF accreditation demonstrates that a program meets quality standards set by the profession.
Learn in the Wisconsin north woods
Spend three weeks at Kemp Natural Resources Station in northern Wisconsin and learn first-hand about forest ecosystem structure, function, processes, and services. This summer field course is required for all forest science students.
Develop the knowledge necessary to conduct a comprehensive forest resource assessment through working with faculty and natural resource professionals in a real-world setting.
Study abroad and gain a global perspective
Travel internationally and complement your coursework and research with a study abroad program. Learn about sustainable agriculture and local food systems in France, land use change and ancient rainforests in Australia, or natural resources in Sweden.
You can also choose from one of UW–Madison’s many semester, summer, and short-term study abroad programs and map your study abroad experience as a forest science major.
Gain real world experience with internships
Forest science students complete an internship as part of the major curriculum. Complement what you learn in class and gain real-world experience by interning with a federal, state, or local government agency, an environmental nonprofit organization, timber industry firm, or environmental consultant.
Get involved. Find your people.
Explore a few of the environmental and sustainability-related student organizations at UW–Madison:
Customize your path
Follow your passions and explore a topic you’re interested in by choosing electives from a wide variety of topics:
- Soil and landscapes
- Economics and business
- Urban and wildlife forest management
- GIS/Remote sensing
- Wildlife and fisheries ecology
- Ecology and biological diversity
- Conservation biology
- Natural resource management and policy
- Earth and atmospheric science
- Human and social dimensions of ecology
Get involved with research
Join a faculty lab and explore forest science through a hands-on perspective. Step out into the field, develop your skills, and learn first-hand from staff, graduate students, and faculty.
Study terrestrial ecosystem and land surface modeling, tree physiology, remote sensing, landscape ecology, forest biometry, and so much more.
1
3-week summer field course
100%
Students who complete an internship
57%
Students who participate in research
Advisor & Contact Information
Advisors can answer your questions, help you create a degree plan that meets your personal and professional goals, and connect you to resources across the UW–Madison campus.
Incoming students should reach out to CALS Academic Affairs to direct your questions. Current UW–Madison students should schedule with their assigned advisor using Starfish.
CALS Academic Affairs
116 Agricultural Hall
1450 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706
academicaffairs@cals.wisc.edu
(608) 262-3003
Wildlife Ecology Major Advising
284 Russell Laboratories
1630 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706
student-services@russell.wisc.edu
(608) 262-9926
Want to learn more about forest science?