At which campus can I study this program?
Program Description
The Forest Ecosystems minor introduces students to the functions and values of forested ecosystems. After a prescribed foundation in tree and shrub identification and forest ecology, students may choose from a variety of related subjects including climate change, invasive species, tree physiology, agroforestry, fire ecology, forest soils, forest ecosystem management, forest measurements, community forestry, and global forest conservation.
What are Forest Ecosystems?
Forest ecosystems are central to the health of our planet. They exist on every continent except Antarctica, support essential processes on Earth to make life possible, contribute strongly to the stability of our climate, provide habitat for innumerable plant and animal species, offer recreational and spiritual values for humanity, and supply goods and services that benefit humans. Studying forest ecosystems facilitates your understanding of how forest ecosystems work, how ecological processes affect forest functions, how these functions are linked to the provision of ecosystem goods and services, and how forests—a renewable resource with one of the lowest carbon footprints—can be managed to ensure these functions are sustained.
You Might Like This Program If...
- You are passionate about the health of the planet, its forests, other natural resources, and humanity’s future.
- You enjoy nature and want to develop skills to identify trees and shrubs in the field.
- You are curious to know how forests work.
- You are concerned about sustaining forests and the values they provide.
Program Requirements
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Requirements for the Minor | 18-20 |
Requirements for the Minor
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| FOR 203 | Field Dendrology | 3 |
| FOR 308 | Forest Ecology | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select a minimum of 12 credits of the following FOR courses: 1 | 12-14 | |
| The Profession of Forestry | ||
Global Change and Ecosystems  | ||
| Dendrology | ||
| GPS and GIS Applications for Natural Resources Professionals | ||
| Forest Resources Measurements | ||
| Herbaceous Forest Plant Identification and Ecology | ||
| Forest Fire Management | ||
| Forest Ecosystem Monitoring and Data Analysis | ||
| Urban Forest Management | ||
| Invasive Forest Plants: Identification, Ecology, and Management | ||
| Tree Physiology | ||
| Elements of Forest Ecosystem Management | ||
| Agroforestry: Science, Design, and Practice | ||
| Silviculture: Applied Forest Ecology | ||
| Conservation Biology | ||
| Timber Sale Administration | ||
| Forest and Conservation Economics | ||
| Human Dimensions of Natural Resources | ||
| Remote Sensing and Spatial Data Handling | ||
| Forest Management and Planning | ||
| Watershed Management | ||
| Watershed Management Laboratory | ||
| Principles of Forest Soils Management | ||
| Policy and Administration | ||
| Global Forest Conservation | ||
| 1 | Six credits must be at the 400 level. |
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university’s academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
Ellen A. Rom
Coordinator of Undergraduate Programs and Alumni Relations
114 Forest Resources Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-0362
exr2@psu.edu
Career Paths
Our department’s career development and employment opportunities websites offer a variety of resources to assist you in exploring professional pursuits related to natural resources and environmental science.
Careers
The Forest Ecosystems minor may complement other academic programs that can help prepare you for a career related to natural resources and environmental sciences. The Forest Ecosystems minor does not qualify you for forester positions.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CAREER DEVELOPMENT
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
The Forest Ecosystems minor can help prepare students for graduate-level study in forest and environmental sciences.