Forest Engineering, Associate of Science

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 92 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:

  • Demonstrate basic understanding of techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice. 
  • Demonstrate basic skills in forest surveying, tree identification, soil science, geographic information systems, and spreadsheet applications. 
  • Develop basic understanding of complexity between forest management, engineering practices, and environmental impacts.

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 Courses

MTH251ZDifferential Calculus4
MTH252ZIntegral Calculus4
MTH254Vector Calculus I4

Program Guide

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
ENGR111 Intro to Engineering 3
ENV235 Introduction to Soil Science 4
F111 Introduction to Forestry 3
PH211 General Physics with Calculus I 5
 Credits15
Winter
ENGR112 Engineering Computation 4
F222A Elementary Forest Surveying 4
F250 Forest Biology 4
PH212 General Physics with Calculus II 5
 Credits17
Spring
F241 Dendrology 5
STAT243Z Elementary Statistics I 4
WR121Z
& WR121A		 Composition I
and Corequisite Support for WR121Z		 5
 Credits14
Second Year
Fall
CHEM221Z
& CHEM227Z		 General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Laboratory		 5
ENGR211 Statics 3
GEOG265 Intro to Geographical Info Systems 4
DRFT110
or DRFT112
 Computer Assisted Drafting I
or Computer Assisted Drafting III
 3
 Credits15
Winter
COMM111Z Public Speaking 4
ECON201Z Principles of Microeconomics 4
ENGR212 Dynamics 3
MTH256 Differential Equations 4 4
Social Science 1 3
 Credits18
Spring
ENGR213 Strength of Materials 3
WR227Z Technical Writing 4
Arts and Letters 2* 3
Arts and Letters 3* 3
 Credits13
 Total Credits92
1

Social Science - SOC213 or ED258
This will fulfill Oregon State University's "Difference, Power, and Oppression" requirement.

2

Arts and Letters - ART204, ART205, ART206, ENG104Z, ENG105Z, ENG108, MUS101, MUS201, MUS202, MUS203, MUS206, or PHL102.
This will fulfill Oregon State University's "Arts and Humanities: General" requirement.

3

Arts and Letters - ENG109, HUM204, HUM205, or HUM206
This will fulfill Oregon State University's "Arts and Humanities: Global" requirement.

4

MTH256  - MTH256 or higher will satisfy this requirement, excluding STAT243Z and MTH244. 

*

Courses from 2Arts and Letters and 3Arts and Letters must come from different disciplines.