Bachelor of Science in Forestry

Why Study Forestry?

Around 61% of Alberta is forested, and we need knowledgeable leaders to manage these essential areas as integrated ecological entities for long-term wellbeing. 

The forestry program will prepare you for a dynamic career as a leader in environmental sustainability. You’ll learn to manage forest landscapes for not only timber but also ecological, social and cultural values. Courses will cover forest management, silviculture, forest policy, conservation and ecology. Graduates will emerge prepared for a future career as a registered professional forester (RPF).

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Hands-on Learning

In this program, you’ll study forestry in the best place possible — the forest. Gain practical hands-on experience through Renewable Resources field schools, where you will learn about forestry operations first-hand, develop your technical skills, and get to know your fellow students. Field schools include travel through the forested areas of west-central and northern Alberta to learn about forest plants, animals and ecology,  forest protection and field operations — including harvesting and silviculture. You will also meet forest practitioners and professionals, many of whom have participated in field school themselves!  

 

“As a forester, it feels really good to work in an area where I can use the skills I learned to help the environment.…”

 

- Forestry alumna Amanda explains why she chose the forestry program, and how her childhood time in the forest inspired a future career.

 

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Featured Courses

Build your knowledge base to protect Canada's northern systems while earning credit towards your degree by spending a semester at Yukon University. By learning and training in Whitehorse, students gain socially and ecologically relevant experience.
Methods and applications of geographic information systems (GIS), including global positioning systems (GPS), photogrammetry, air photo interpretation and LIDAR, as they relate to natural resource management.

 

 

 

Introduction to animals in the context of conservation, interactions with people, and roles in natural ecosystems. Labs provide a survey of Western Canadian animal life, both vertebrate and invertebrate, with emphasis on recognition of higher taxa and on hierarchical classification. Explore concepts firsthand on field trips.
Study the principles of forest fire science and management in Canadian forest ecosystems. Concepts include fire science fundamentals and their applications for addressing contemporary social, ecological and economic fire management challenges. Topics include fire as a natural disturbance process, mechanisms of fire ignition and spread, fire weather, fire behaviour and fire occurrence prediction.

 

 

Feature Careers

Foresters plan, administer and direct programs related to managing forested lands and renewable resources. Forestry is a regulated profession.  Graduates from the BSc in Forestry qualify as a Registered Professional Forester (RPF). Average Salary:  $94,619

Forest technologists perform many of the technical functions involved in the scientific management of forested areas. Average Salary: $68,069.00

Hydrologists study the occurrence, distribution, circulation and properties of water in the atmosphere, on the Earth’s surface, and in soil and underlying rocks. Average Salary:  $139,071

Source: Government of Alberta, Occupations in Alberta

 

Careers in Forestry

  • Registered Professional Forester
  • Forest Health Specialist
  • Indigenous Forestry Liaison
  • GIS Specialist
  • Silviculture Forester
  • Forest Resource Policy Analyst
  • Forest Operations Manager
  • Land Use Planner
  • Water Resource Scientist
  • Forest Growth and Yield Analyst
  • Wildland Firefighter
  • Forest Wildlife Biologist
  • Conservation Professional 
  • Urban Forestry

Check out the U of A's Forest Science and Management Career Guide for more options.

 

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The Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences (ALES) at the University of Alberta provides solutions to global challenges in the areas of agriculture, nutrition, the environment and human ecology. Spread across four departments, ALES faculty members and staff apply their broad scientific expertise in world-class facilities to improve lives at local and international levels. Students have access to one of the largest faculty scholarship programs at the institution, and can get involved with the thriving student community for a memorable and life-changing university experience.