Department
School of Forest Resources
Description of the Program
The Water and Soil Resources major emphasizes assessment, conservation, and
rehabilitation of the soil, water, and wetland components
of the natural landscape. The core curriculum is broad-based, furnishing a
comprehensive understanding of the physical and biological elements of the
natural environment, an appreciation of the social, political, and economic
forces that influence natural resources policy decisions, and the ability to
analyze natural resources problems to forge realistic solutions.
Through appropriate choice of electives, students can meet the educational requirements for Certified Soil Scientist (by the Soil Science Society of America) and/or prepare for the certified hydrologist exam offered by the American Institute of Hydrologists.
Career Opportunities
Graduates frequently take employment with environmental consulting firms,
public regulatory agencies, corporations that utilize natural resources or
conservation organizations. Detailed descriptions of the diverse career
opportunities in forest environmental resources are available from the Office
of Undergraduate Programs.
Expectations of Transfer Students
Entry to the major requires admission to the Warnell School of Forest
Resources in addition to admission to the University of Georgia. Admission
to the major is not granted until the 60 credit pre-Professional Program
is completed. Transfer students should contact the Associate Dean for Academic
Programs, Warnell School of Forest Resources, for information on pre-Professional
Program requirements and confirmation of transfer credit.
Special Requirements
The Water and Soil Resources major requires 122 semester credits,
62 in the Professional Program and 60 in the pre-Professional Program.
The "2+3" Joint Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program
Forest Environmental Resource majors may apply for entry to the School's
graduate program at the end of the third year, allowing them to complete
both B.S.F.R. and M.F.R. degrees in five years. To be eligible for this
program, students must have a 3.0 or greater overall GPA, a 3.2 or greater
GPA in their major courses, and a combined score of 1000 or more on the verbal
and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Exam.
Fees
Tuition in the Professional Program is approximately 10% greater than for
non-Professional programs.
Scholarships
In addition to the financial assistance offered through the University's
Office of Student Financial Aid, a number of scholarships and awards are
available specifically for undergraduate students in forest resources.
These awards total about $80,000 annually, and are made possible by
donations from forest-related industries and organizations, and from
alumni and other interested individuals.
Selection for these scholarships is based on academic achievement,
leadership ability, and financial need.
To be considered for most scholarships, students must have a resume on
file in the Office of Undergraduate Programs. A few scholarships require a
separate application form.
Internships and Cooperative Education
An active internship program gives students opportunity to supplement
their classroom studies with practical experience in forest
resource management. Students may work with private companies,
landowners, conservation organizations, and federal and state
agencies.
The school also offers a Cooperative Education Program with federal and state agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Students may alternate semesters of off-campus work with semesters of on-campus study. Although we make every effort to facilitate cooperative education, the arrangement for such programs is usually left to student initiative.