During the fall quarter of their sophomore year, students devote their time to a field practicum at the Ford Center and School Research Forest , becoming familiar with such activities as site quality estimation, mapping, estimating tree growth, and log scaling and grading. This program provides a comprehensive knowledge of the physical, mechanical, and chemical attributes of wood. Wood science students gain extensive laboratory experience, as well as a strong background in science and math. More information about the wood science program is available at the Wood Science Web Site . The applied ecology program prepares students to understand and find solutions to environmental problems posed by development.
Students learn how to manage ecosystems and ensure the conservation of natural resources.
This program is interdisciplinary and educates students with the sociological, political, and economic facets, as well as the basic and applied sciences, of development. Ecology students may spend a term of outdoor study at the Ford Center and can choose to study for one semester at the Universidad Veracruzana in Mexico. More information about the applied ecology program is available at the Applied Ecology Web Site . The master of science program permits independent study in a broad spectrum of natural resources management or wood science topics. Interdisciplinary studies are encouraged and may include course work in engineering, business, and science.