Forest engineering prepares graduates to plan and implement complex forestry and natural resource operations that help meet global demands for wood products while sustaining water, habitat, and other forest resources.

This degree was designed to transfer to Oregon State University's College of Forestry. Other transfer options may be available, consult your advisor for details. 

The forestry field is projected to have many career opportunities coming up in the next decade as many forestry and natural resources professionals retire in the next few years. Students who enjoy working outdoors and want to have a career that focuses on managing our valuable forest lands to conserve and protect resources as well as produce valuable products for society should consider this degree.

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 98 credit hours with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. All courses must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better. Twenty-four (24) credits must be completed at Southwestern before the degree is awarded.

Courses that are developmental in nature (designed to prepare students for college transfer courses) are not applicable to this degree.

Complete the graduation application process one term prior to the term of completion (e.g., spring term graduates must apply during winter term).

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• Use techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
• Develop engineered forest operations that achieve silvicultural objectives
• Develop engineered forest operations that appropriately protect soil and water resources.
• Survey and measure land and forest resources so that the engineering tasks associated with forest operations can be effectively completed.
• Provide designs and manage the forest transportation in a way that meets the needs of forest land management with societally acceptable environmental impact.
• Plan and manage safe, economic and environmentally sound forest operations.
• Incorporate long term forest land management and operational planning in an environmental and economic context into forest operation plans.

Math and writing placement are unique to each student and are determined during the admissions and intake advising process.  Additional math or writing courses may be required prior to taking the math or writing program requirements in this degree. 

Pre-Program Course

Program Guide

¹

Difference, Power, and Discrimination: HST201, HST202, HST203, SOC206 , SOC213

²

Literature and the Arts:ART204, ART205, ART206, ENG104, ENG105, ENG106, ENG107, ENG108, ENG109, ENG201, ENG204, ENG205, ENG206, ENG262, MUS201, MUS202, MUS203.

³

Cultural Diversity: ANTH224, ANTH230, ANTH231, ANTH232, HST104, HUM204, HUM205, HUM206

⁴

Western Culture:ART204, ART205, ART206, ENG107, ENG108, ENG109, ENG201,  ENG204, ENG205, ENG206, HST101, HST102, HST103, HST201, HST202, HST203, MUS201, MUS202, MUS203, PHL101, PHL102.

⁵

MTH256 or higher will satisfy this requirement. 

⁶

May be substituted with MTH244.

*

At least two courses must be chosen from the Arts and Letters section from the AS course list to meet the above requirements.