West Virginia University

Forestry

The Forest Resources Management program at West Virginia University is dedicated to developing the next generation of forest mangers in the Appalachian hardwood region. This program offers two advanced degree programs including a Master of Science in Forest Resources Management and a Ph.D. in Forest Resources. At the M.S. or Ph.D. level, students work closely with their faculty advisor and mentor to develop a unique research program that will prepare them for a career in this field. Course work for these degrees varies depending upon the career goals of the student, past course history, and educational needs for the intended research project. Typically all students take 2 semesters of Statistics (STAT 511 and 512) and an advanced GIS class.

Students interested in graduate study in Forest Resources Management can apply online through the graduate admissions office, but are encouraged to contact faculty members who may share their research interests. Based on our current faculty research interests, the following represent potential areas of study:

1. sustainable management of forest soils
2. forest productivity
3. nutrient cycling
4. Ecosystem restoration
5. Forest economics
6. Renewable resource policy and governance
7. International forestry
8. Forest health
9. Forest mineral cycling
10. Old growth forests
11. Unique forest communities
12. Silvics and plant ecology of oaks
13. Adaptation of oak silvicultural systems to historic oak disturbance regimes
14. Dendrochronological studies of old-growth forests
15. Presettlement forest composition
16. Community ecology and nutrient cycling of high-elevation wetlands
17. Red spruce restoration in central Appalachians
18. Disturbances dynamics of Appalachian hardwood forests
19. Growth and yield modeling
20. Taper, volume and weight estimation
21. Forest sampling
22. Intensive culture of Applachian hardwoods
23. Invasive species
24. Forestry Outreach Programs
25. Forest business management
26. Timber investment analysis

Admission requirements Admission requirements are those of the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Consumer Sciences. Candidates for the Master of Science in Forestry (M.S.F.) with an emphasis in Wood Science and Technology may major in wood science and technology, forest products, or forest operations. Within these major fields of study, specialization is limited only by the range of competencies in the graduate faculty. The candidate must complete 30 hours of approved study, six hours of which shall constitute a thesis. The program ordinarily requires two years of residence.

Background Requirements Graduate students enrolling in wood science will be excepted to have taken WDSC 223, Wood Anatomy and Structure, WDSC 232, Primary Conversion and Grading, and WDSC 401, Field Trip or their equivalents. (Equivalent courses are similar courses taken at other institutions or at WVU. Equivalency will be determined by the Wood Science faculty based upon the recommendation of the student’s major professor.) Graduate students are expected to make up deficiencies in undergraduate background as part of their program of study. The student’s graduate committee may specify other undergraduate courses in Wood Science or related areas that student will be required to take as part of their program.

Wood Science graduate students pursing an M.S.F. degree will fulfill the following course requirements <

  • Statistics 511 and 512, 9 credit hours of 500 or better-level course work in Wood Science or related area of specialization, and
  • 2 credit hours of WDSC 696, Graduate Seminar.