Forestry
As a forester, you are charged with protecting and enhancing forest ecosystems and the social and economic benefits produced by forests. You work in the field collecting data on the number and species of trees and other plants and animals, supervise tree plantings and tree harvest, and manage forest ecosystems to benefit wood production, wildlife and human use of forests. 
Foresters work in a wide variety of locations from wilderness (federal and state lands) to the largest cities (urban and tree care).
In Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources, students benefit greatly from hands-on learning in and out of the classroom. You will be a part of transformative experiences with opportunities for conference attendance, involvement with student organizations, access to intern positions and participation in a five-week immersive Summer Practicum and much more.
Our forestry program is accredited through the Society of American Foresters (SAF), which enhances student preparation for the forestry profession.
Bachelor of Science in Forestry - Plan of Study
Minors
Digital Natural Resources
Courses include: Remote Sensing Of Land Resources, Introduction To Uncrewed Aircraft System Operations, Remote Sensing Analysis And Applications
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
Wood Products Manufacturing Technology
Courses include: Sustainable Wood Products Manufacturing, ID & Basic Properties of Wood & Furniture Design & Manufacturing
Concentrations
Forest Management
The Forest Management concentration focuses on the conservation, restoration and wise use of wildlands and forest ecosystems, including management of timber, wildlife habitat, water resources and recreational opportunities.
Forest Science
The Forest Science concentration allows students to customize a part of their curriculum to gain advanced knowledge in an interest area of their choice. Students then develop a research project in that area with a faculty mentor. Students must then write and defend a short thesis on their project. This concentration targets students that wish to continue their forestry and conservation training in graduate school.
Wood Products
The Wood Products concentration focuses on the use of wood, especially hardwoods, as a raw material in the production of both primary goods, such as lumber, and secondary goods, such as furniture, cabinetry and structural timbers. This concentration aligns with careers in procurement forestry, timber grading and various positions in wood product manufacturing and design.
Urban Forestry Concentration
The Urban Forestry concentration focuses on the maintenance and management of the urban and periurban forest ecosystem from ecological, social and economic perspectives. This concentration aligns with careers in arboriculture, urban planning and urban forest management.
Forestry Careers
Working in the world of forestry brings diverse options for positions:
- Career Opportunities, Purdue Forestry & Natural Resources shares position descriptions that include: forester, forest fire fighter/manager, forest researcher, forest products manufacturer, natural resources educator, tree care specialist, urban forester and wood products designer.
- Arborist and Urban Forester, Tree Care Industry Association provides answers to your questions of what an arborist does and positions.
- District Foresters, Indiana Department of Natural Resources shares description for a professional trained manager in the state of Indiana.
- Career Center, the Society of American Foresters provides an easy search field which allows you to take a look at forestry positions.
- Welcome to the World of Forestry, the Indiana Society of American Foresters shares descriptions of position statements and much more.
- Forest Service Careers, the U.S. Forest Service shares job opportunities along with application tips.
- Conservation Scientists and Forestry, the U.S. Department of Labor provides descriptions of what these positions do and the qualifications needed.
See Our Partners and Organizations
Would you like to receive experiences within our partners and organizations?
- Purdue Student Society of American Foresters
- Purdue Student Society of Arboriculture
- Indiana Arborist Association
- Society of American Foresters
- Purdue Extension - Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR), find resources in our 500+ publications and videos. Students have the opportunity to help write, design and aid in production of videos.
contact us
Connect With Us
See student stories, photos and videos on Instagram (@Purdue FNR), Facebook (Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources), Twitter (@PurdueFNR) and YouTube (Purdue FNR).
InstagramMeet Our Students, Staff, Alumni & Partners
Bryan Pijanowski, professor in Purdue University’s Department of Forestry and Natural...
A new AI-based method is making urban tree inventories faster, cheaper, and accessible to smaller...
Dr. Michael O. Hunt came to West Lafayette in February 1960 as an assistant professor and...
Jingjing Liang, a University Faculty Scholar and associate professor of forestry and natural...
They’re microscopic. But they have the potential to help address food insecurity and...
FNR videos were viewed nearly 310,000 times on YouTube in 2025, accounting for more than 7,400...