Colorado State University

What you'll study

The Forestry curriculum combines foundational natural science with applied forest management and field practice. Core topics include forest ecology, dendrology (tree identification), silviculture (regeneration and stand management), forest mensuration and inventory, remote sensing and GIS applications, forest soils and hydrology, and wildland fire science and management. Students also take courses in forest policy and economics, wood products and forest biomaterials, statistics and quantitative methods for natural resources, and ecology and conservation biology.

• Field‑based courses and labs that emphasise measurement, sampling and map‑based analysis of forest stands
• Technical training in GIS, remote sensing, and forest mensuration software
• Capstone projects, undergraduate research opportunities or a practicum/internship with government agencies, industry or non‑profits
• Electives that allow focus areas such as wildland fire, urban forestry, forest restoration, or wood products and supply chains

Entry requirements

Applicants need a secondary school completion credential equivalent to a US high school diploma and a competitive academic record. Successful candidates typically have strong preparation in laboratory science (biology and chemistry), mathematics (algebra; pre‑calculus or calculus recommended), and English. Admissions consider the overall academic profile, strength of curriculum, and extracurricular experience related to natural resources or outdoor work.

Transfer applicants from community colleges or other universities are considered; a record of relevant coursework such as college biology, chemistry and introductory calculus will strengthen an application. Practical experience — seasonal work or volunteer roles in forestry, conservation, fire crews or parks — is beneficial. Check the university’s admissions pages for details about supporting documents and any standardised testing policies.

Career prospects

Graduates with a BSc in Forestry are prepared for a range of careers in public agencies, industry, non‑governmental organisations and consulting. Typical roles include:

• Forestry technician or forest inventory specialist
• Forest manager or stewardship specialist for federal and state agencies (for example national forest and park services)
• Wildland fire management and fire ecology positions
• Urban forester and municipal tree management
• GIS and remote sensing analyst focused on vegetation and land cover
• Conservation scientist, restoration practitioner or ecological consultant
• Positions in wood products, biomass and forest supply chains
• Further study at graduate level (MSc/PhD) for research, teaching or advanced technical roles

Why study at Colorado State University

Colorado State University’s forestry programme is housed in a college with strong ties to regional and national natural‑resource organisations, providing direct pathways to internships and employment. The campus location near the Front Range and diverse mountain landscapes gives students ready access to field study across forest types, from montane conifer stands to riparian and urban systems.

Students benefit from active research groups, dedicated field stations and equipment for hands‑on training in forestry techniques, GIS and remote sensing. Professional societies and student chapters, plus established connections with federal and state agencies, forest industry and conservation NGOs, support practical experience and career networking. The programme’s emphasis on applied skills, coupled with opportunities for undergraduate research and capstone projects, prepares graduates to step directly into technical, managerial or research roles in forestry and natural‑resource management.