Forestry, Forest Soils Concentration, B.S.

Cal Poly Humboldt is located in the heart of the coast redwood forest. This environment provides outdoor classrooms for more than half of the forestry courses, with access to the nearby community forest, Schatz Tree farm, and other public and private forest lands. Field trips illustrate lecture concepts and teach field techniques.

Because Humboldt County also has a large forest products industry, Humboldt is an excellent place to study the resolution of environmental issues with economic concerns. Students and faculty interact with professional forest managers and researchers of the region both in the classroom and in the field.

Forestry is an interdisciplinary field, drawing from the biological, physical, social, and managerial sciences. The curriculum aids in understanding the biological complexities of the forest and the interactions between the forest and social and economic demands.

The program provides sufficient background and depth of education to give a sound basis for professional growth within a broad range of forestry-related careers. Our graduates work toward careers in forest management, wildland fire management, forest protection and restoration, watershed management, resource planning, and research and education. Most of our graduates hold staff positions with federal and state agencies, consulting foresters, the forest products industry, Tribes, or with environmental organizations.

Forestry (Soils) students gain a deeper understanding of the classification, spatial distribution, and genesis of soils; erosion control and modelling; fire effects on soils; carbon cycling; and special characteristics of the forest floor. Depending on electives chosen, they learn about soil mechanics, microbiology, wetlands delineation, or nutrient cycling.

This program meets the qualifications for “Forester,” “Soil Scientist,” and “Soil Conservationist” in federal employment. This program is accredited by Society of American Foresters and meets educational standards to apply for California Registered Professional Forester (RPF) licensing.

Visit the Department of Forestry, Fire, and Rangeland Management website for more information.

Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. Students must fulfill General Education & All-University Requirements , residency, unit, and GPA requirements as outlined in the Bachelor’s Degree Requirements . This major includes a Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) certified course.

Major Academic Plan, Forestry, Forest Soils Concentration, B.S.

Program MAPs represent recommended or possible pathways toward degree completion in four years (or two years for transfer students). Please see an advisor and use the DARS planner to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs.

Forestry, Forest Soils Concentration, B.S. MAP

Forestry, Forest Soils Concentration, B.S. Transfer MAP

Requirements for the Major (91 Units)

Students must complete all courses in the major with a grade of C- or better.

Core Courses (69 Units)

The following core courses are required for all forestry majors.

Lower Division

BOT 105 - General Botany Units: 4 (or comparable biological science course that meets general education requirements)
CHEM 107 - Fundamentals of Chemistry Units: 4 (or comparable physical science course that meets general education requirements)
ESM 105 - Natural Resource Conservation Units: 3
FIRE 123 - Fundamentals of Fuel and Fire Units: 3
FOR 130 - Dendrology Units: 3
FOR 210 - Forest Measurements and Biometry Units: 4
FOR 222 - Forest Health and Protection Units: 3
FOR 231 - Forest Ecology Units: 3
FOR 250 - Introduction to Forest Operations Units: 3
GSP 101 - Geospatial Concepts Units: 3
GSP 216 - Introduction to Remote Sensing Units: 3
SOIL 260 - Introduction to Soil Science Units: 3
STAT 108 - Elementary Statistics Units: 3
or
STAT 108I - Elementary Statistics with Integrated Support Units: 3

Upper Division

ESM 305 - Environmental Conflict Resolution Units: 3
FOR 311 - Forest Mensuration and Growth Units: 4
FOR 331 - Silvics - Foundation of Silviculture Units: 3
FOR 365 - Forest Economics and Finance Units: 3
FOR 432 - Silviculture Units: 4
FOR 359 - Forest and Rangeland Policy Units: 3
FOR 479W - Forestry Capstone Units: 3
WSHD 310 - Hydrology and Watershed Management Units: 4

Concentration Courses (22 Units)

Lower Division

GEOL 109 - General Geology Units: 4

Upper Division

FISH 300 - Introduction to Fishery Biology Units: 3
or
RRS 306 - Rangeland Management Principles Units: 3
FOR 471 - Forest Administration and Ethics Units: 3
SOIL 360 - Origin and Classification of Soils Units: 3
SOIL 460W - Wildland Soil Management and Erosion Control Units: 3

Approved Soils Electives

Complete two of the following courses.

SOIL 363 - Wetland Soils Units: 3
SOIL 462 - Soil Fertility Units: 3
SOIL 465 - Soil Microbiology Units: 3
SOIL 467 - Soil Physics Units: 3

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program.

Identify and describe the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of forests and other wildland ecosystems
Explain the ecological, hydrological, edaphic, social, political, and economic structures and processes related to forest and wildland ecosystems across spatial and temporal scales
Measure, calculate, analyze, and model forest resources and associated processes utilizing mathematics, statistics, and geospatial tools
Communicate about forest and wildland ecosystems effectively in oral and written formats
Comprehend and utilize scientific publications in the fields of forestry, ecology, hydrology, rangelands, and soils
Use critical thinking skills to apply multidisciplinary knowledge of forest resources, policy, administration, and economics to manage forest and wildland resources for diverse objectives
Become ethical professionals with a sense of life-long learning and curiosity who contribute to developing sound policy and addressing social needs related to forest and wildland resources