Welcome to our Undergraduate Program

Purdue’s Department of Forestry and Natural Resources is one of the nation's leading natural resource programs. Our world-class expertise in forestry, wildlife, fisheries and aquatic sciences, natural resources social science, and interdisciplinary ecology is helping solve some of the most important natural resource problems around the globe. Learn more about FNR: About Us.

FNR majors join a departmental ecosystem that emphasizes preparing for careers in outdoor professions.

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Specialized Minors and Concentrations in Forestry and Natural Resources.
Minors

Aquatic Sciences
Focus areas: Fisheries & Aquaculture Marine & Freshwater Biology

Digital Natural Resources
Courses include: Remote Sensing Of Land Resources, Introduction To Uncrewed Aircraft System Operations, Remote Sensing Analysis And Applications

Forest Ecosystems 
Courses include: Dendrology, Forest Soils, Introduction to Ecology and Evolution, Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Management, Tree Physiology

Furniture Design
Courses include: Furniture Development, ID And Basic Properties of Wood & Furniture Product Development, Sustainable Wood Products

Urban Forestry
Courses include: Arboriculture Practices, Urban Forest Issues & Urban Ecology, Soil Science, Insects of Urban Landscapes, Spatial Ecology

Wildlife Science
Courses include: Wildlife in America, Ecology & Systematics of Fishes, Amphibians & Reptiles/Mammals & Birds

Wood Products Manufacturing Technology
Courses include: Sustainable Wood Products Manufacturing, ID & Basic Properties of Wood & Furniture Design & Manufacturing

Concentrations

Aquatic Sciences:
Fisheries
Courses include: Marine Biology, The World's Forests & Society, Ecology & Systematics of Fishes, Amphibians & Reptiles, Environmental Science and Conservation

Marine & Freshwater Biology
Courses include: Ecology & Systematics of Mammals & Birds, Marine Biology, Natural Resource Information Management, Aquatic Sampling Techniques

Forestry:
Forest Management
Courses include: Environmental Science & Conservation, Natural Resources Information Management, Dendrology, Fundamental Remote Sensing, Forestry Practicum

Forest Science
Courses include: Environmental Science And Conservation, Natural Resource Information Management, Dendrology, Forest Ecosystems, Natural Resources Measurement

Sustainable Biomaterials
Courses include: Intro To Environmental Policy, Sustainable Wood Products Manufacturing, Identification And Basic Properties Of Wood, Sustainable Wood Products, Furniture Design And Manufacturing

Urban Forestry Concentration
Courses include: Applied Insect Biology, The World’s Forests And Society, Landscape-Level Planning, Quantitative Methods For Resource Mgmt., Spatial Ecology, Forest Resources Management

Growing in Your Student Experience

See the opportunities below to connect with other students, faculty and staff.

The cost varies depending on factors such as where a student chooses to live, travel expenses, food costs, enrollment in a specific program, scholarships, etc.

The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources conducts a placement survey of our graduates. 

Purdue FNR is dedicated to connecting students, alumni and employers.  The job board is a great resource for all of our students. 

contact us

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Practicums

Summer Practicum

Forestry students have been retreating to the woods for over 80 summers, gaining first-hand knowledge and practical field experience no classroom lecture can match. And while many schools are scaling back their summer camp programs, Purdue has expanded the program to include students majoring in aquatic sciences and wildlife. Take a journey through Summer Practicum, Facebook Post Cards from Summer Practicum.

Marine Biology Practicum

Marine Biology Practicum presents students with expanded opportunities to use field techniques to sample and report on marine habitats and organisms. The course emphasizes the proper care and use of field sampling gear and identification of fish and invertebrates samples from exposed shore, lagoon, and estuary habitats. Follow the Marine Biology Practicum on Facebook.

Banner showing the different FNR career opportunities.

Meet Our FNR Students

Jackson Schwartz with extension specialist Jarred Brooke and another student at a prescribed burn.
FNR Field Report: Jackson Schwartz

Jackson Schwartz, who completed his bachelor’s degree in wildlife in May, spent the summer...

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Bella Hilaski looks at the forest in Sweden; Bella and a friend stand with a Rauk, or stone pillar; the Visby church.
FNR Field Reports: Bella Hilaski Recaps Week 3 of the Study Abroad Trip to Sweden, Finland

Throughout the 2025 Sustainable Natural Resources study abroad course in Sweden and Finland, FNR...

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Grace Brown banner photos from her Sweden study abroad trip, castle, Grace holding turtle and shoreline with rocks.
FNR Field Reports: Grace Brown Recaps Week 2 of Study Abroad Trip to Sweden, Finland

Grace Brown, a senior aquatic sciences major, shares her experiences on the Sustainable Natural...

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Photos from Week 1 of the Sweden/Finland Study Abroad trip
FNR Field Reports: Autumn Hall Provides Week 1 Update from Sweden/Finland Study Abroad Trip

Autumn Hall, who is going into her senior year as an aquatic sciences major with a wildlife...

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Ethan Enochian (far right) with the 2025 FNR Outstanding Students
Meet FNR Outstanding Freshman Ethan Enochian

Ethan Enochian, an aquatic sciences major with a fisheries concentration, has been named as...

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Lydia Pultorak works in the Geoinformatics, Ecosystem Management and Soil Sustainability Lab; Lydia holds a small snake; Lydia holds a Northern Saw-whet Owl.
Meet FNR Outstanding Sophomore Lydia Pultorak

Sophomore wildlife major Lydia Pultorak has been selected as FNR’s Outstanding Sophomore...

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World Class Faculty

Our 30 plus world-class faculty in forestry, wildlife, fisheries & aquatic sciences, natural resources social science, and interdisciplinary ecology is helping solve some of the world’s most important natural resource problems.
World Class Faculty

Connect With Us

See student stories, photos and videos on Instagram @Purdue FNR, Facebook Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources, X @PurdueFNR and YouTube Purdue FNR.

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