General forestry is more than just forestry. It can be a pathway to any of our degree programs.
Take some time to find your path.
Tomorrow needs stewards of the environment. It needs professionals with a passion to create a more sustainable future. Do you have a love for nature? An interest in sustainability? Are you wanting to make a difference in the environment through conservation, data science, or policy and aren’t sure where to start? General forestry is the right place to find your path.
At Michigan Tech, we know establishing your roots takes time. The general forestry option allows you to test the waters before committing to a major that fits. Spend a semester or two exploring natural resources options in the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science (CFRES) without losing money or pursuing a degree that might not be the right fit.
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In your first semester, you will take FW 1020 Exploring CFRES Opportunities—a course designed to help you navigate the College and determine which major is the best fit for you. Meet professionals in the field and engage in activities that help you determine degree and career goals. Learn about resources available to you.
Still not sure what degree is the right fit? If you need more one-on-one guidance, your advisor will help choose classes that open a world of opportunities and hone in on your interests while assuring you stay on track to meet degree requirements. The best part? You still get to spend your first semester outdoors. Once you decide, you will be able to transition seamlessly into the natural resource degree program that you choose.
What Will I Study?
Start your first semester with two field labs in Vegetation of North America and Field Techniques to gain a feel for our management degrees and future careers. If spending a career outdoors is not the right fit for you, you can sample classes in sustainability science, bioproducts, mapping technology, climate change, data science or policy that will also have a positive impact on the environment.
From the soil under our boots and how erosion and compaction affect plant and animal life, to stream management for clean water, to flying drones to gather canopy data that detects invasive species, we are here to help you find your direction. Study landscape ecology and planning, forest management, policies surrounding endangered wildlife, how humans interact with forests, and more all while gaining professional development in the field like leadership, teamwork, and communication.