Master of Science in Forestry Program
Our Master of Science in Forestry program requires students to successfully complete a thesis within the field of forestry and to select a minor. We emphasize the resources of North Carolina and the southern United States, but candidates may also explore forestry problems throughout North America or choose an area of study that leverages our expertise in tropical pine species and other international arenas. This degree program is the preferred track for students who are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. or who anticipate conducting or reviewing research in their future work.
The Master of Science in Forestry degree requires students to develop and conduct a research project, then present their methodologies and results as a thesis. A minimum of 30 credits, following all rules of the NC State Graduate School, are required, along with the FOR 601 (Seminar) and FOR 603 (Research Methods in Forestry and Environmental Resources) courses. Students may focus on their thesis topics on a broad range of basic scientific inquiry and applied management issues, including:
- Forest genetics and tree breeding
- Propagation of commercial trees species
- Forest nurseries, nursery soils and regeneration
- Biotechnology and gene transfer in commercial forest species
- All facets of forest management and operations
- Forest economics and policy
- Forest nutrition
- International forestry
- Restoration ecology
- Silviculture
- Hydrology and watershed ecology
- Browse past theses and dissertations from the NC State Library
Students must also declare a minor as part of the MS-Forestry program. A minor consists of at least nine graduate credits approved by the student’s advisory committee and faculty member. Courses must be taken during the degree program and all must be within an established NC State curriculum or among appropriate departments to satisfy a logical interdisciplinary minor.