Forest Technology (A.A.S.)
https://colsa.unh.edu/natural-resources-environment/program/aas/forest-technology
Beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year, the Forest Technology A.A.S. is pausing admissions to the program. Current students will continue to have access to the same high-quality education and resources until they graduate.
Forestry is an exciting and rewarding career field, in which practitioners work to solve today’s pressing natural resource and environmental challenges. Graduates of the Forest Technology program can become career-ready in two years and learn fundamental forestry skills, techniques, and science. Students are introduced to forest ecology, silviculture, wildlife ecology, forest mapping techniques, wood science, and timber harvesting practices. They learn how to inventory natural resources; design, plan, and supervise forest harvesting operations; harvest timber and mill lumber; map and survey forestland; develop a forest management plan; and identify and mitigate forest health issues –all while applying principles of conservation and sustainability. Students interact with a wide variety of professionals as part of their coursework and often go on to work in wood products-related industries, public forestland management agencies, private forestry consulting firms, urban tree care companies, and a range of conservation organizations.
After obtaining an associate degree in forest technology, qualified students may then transfer to the university’s accredited four-year forestry program and obtain a bachelor’s degree in two additional years with a full-time course of study or move right into an exciting career.
Career Opportunities
Forestry consultant, forest fire control and use technician, mapping technician, geographic information systems/global positioning systems (GIS/GPS) technician, timber and log buyer, log scaler, lumber grader, sawmill technician, arborist, urban tree care specialist, timber cruiser/forest inventory technician, or forestry equipment/products sales representative.
Degree Requirements
Major, Option, and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.
Forest Technology Requirements
Candidates for a degree must take 20 credits of Discovery courses in addition to satisfying the requirements of the Forest Technology program. Forest Technology students are required to take:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 528 | Applied Biostatistics I | 4 |
| or MATH 420 | Finite Mathematics | |
| ENGL 401 | First-Year Writing | 4 |
| FORT 470 | Applied Silviculture | 4 |
| KIN 501 | First Aid: Responding to Emergencies | 1 |
| FORT/NR 527 | Forest Ecology | 4 |
| FORT #564 | Arboriculture | 3 |
| FORT 572 | Mensuration | 4 |
| FORT 573 | Management Operation & Analysis | 4 |
| FORT 576 | Forest Products and Wood Science | 4 |
| FORT 577 | Forest Harvesting Systems | 4 |
| FORT 578 | Ecology and Management of Forest Stressors | 4 |
| FORT 579 | Wildland Fire Ecology and Management | 4 |
| FORT 581 | Applied Geospatial Techniques | 4 |
| FORT #597 | Work Experience | 0 |
| NR 415 | Natural Resources Field Methods | 2 |
| NR 425 | Field Dendrology | 4 |
| NR 433 | Wildlife Ecology | 4 |
| Social Science Discovery or Humanities Discovery | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 66 | |
Forest Technology Program of Study
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENGL 401 | First-Year Writing (WS Discovery) | 4 |
| NR 425 | Field Dendrology | 4 |
| FORT 527 | Forest Ecology | 4 |
| NR 415 | Natural Resources Field Methods | 2 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 528 or MATH 420 | Applied Biostatistics I (or other) or Finite Mathematics | 4 |
| FORT 470 | Applied Silviculture | 4 |
| FORT 581 | Applied Geospatial Techniques | 4 |
| Social Science or Humanities Discovery [RMP 511 Recommended] | 4 | |
| KIN 501 | First Aid: Responding to Emergencies | 1 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| NR 433 | Wildlife Ecology (BS Discovery) | 4 |
| FORT 572 | Mensuration | 4 |
| FORT 577 | Forest Harvesting Systems | 4 |
| FORT #597 | Work Experience | 0 |
| Discovery Elective: FPA, HP, ETS, WC, PS | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| FORT #564 | Arboriculture | 3 |
| FORT 573 | Management Operation & Analysis | 4 |
| FORT 576 | Forest Products and Wood Science | 4 |
| FORT 578 | Ecology and Management of Forest Stressors | 4 |
| FORT 579 | Wildland Fire Ecology and Management | 4 |
| Credits | 19 | |
| Total Credits | 66 | |
- Identify the flora and fauna of regional forests and understand their role in ecological communities.
- Apply the concepts of forest and wildlife ecology to sustainable natural resource management for the benefit of society.
- Measure, collect, and analyze field data using appropriate technologies to make sound forest management decisions.
- Understand harvesting and processing of forest products.
- Navigate in forested settings, and locate and map property boundaries and natural resource features.
- Identify land cover types and incorporate spatial data to facilitate forest management.
- Identify and evaluate appropriate management strategies in the context of forest insects and pathogens.
- Lead field crews to safely and productively accomplish forest management goals.
- Communicate effectively and professionally in written and oral formats with clients, related agencies, and the general public.