Matthew Chagnon
PROFESSOR EMERITUS
-
Matthew Chagnon
PROFESSOR EMERITUS -
Michael Simmons
LECTURER
Forest Technology A.A.S.
Forest Technology A.A.S.
Live and learn both the contemporary and traditional methods of forestry in our Forest Technology Program, which is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF).
Forest technicians help plan, direct, and operate forestry enterprises. Students in the forest technician concentration experience a breadth and depth of instruction. They are exposed to the theory and practice of planting, thinning, and other silvicultural operations, including harvesting supervision. They learn how to design, lay out, and construct roads and trails; how to map and survey property; how to manage woodlands to improve timber quality and wildlife habitat; how to inventory natural resources and develop a plan for their future management; how to identify and deal with forest health issues; and how to conserve soil, water, and other natural resources. Graduates work in wood products-related industries, in public forestland management agencies, with forestry consulting firms, urban tree care companies, and with a range of conservation organizations. Graduates can become licensed in New Hampshire to practice forestry on private lands.
Career Opportunities
Forestry consultant, forest fire control and use technician, mapping technician, geographic information systems/global positioning systems (GIS/GPS) technician, timber and log buyer, log scaler, lumber grader, sawmill technician, arborist, urban tree care specialist, timber cruiser/forest inventory technician, or forestry equipment/products sales representative.
Contact
Wendy Rose
BUSINESS MANAGER II
34 Sage Way
Durham, NH 03824
Phone: (603) 862-1025
Curriculum & Requirements
Forest Technician Program of Study
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| COM 209 | Expository Writing and Reading | 4 |
| NR 425 | Field Dendrology | 4 |
| FORT 463 | Forest Ecology | 3 |
| FORT 465 | Forest Orientation Seminar | 1 |
| MTH 203 | Algebra and Trigonometry | 3 |
| TSAS 405A | Computers in the Workplace/Focus on Software Applications | 2 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| COM 210 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| FORT 466 | Forest Surveying and Mapping | 4 |
| FORT 470 | Applied Silviculture | 4 |
| FORT 475 | Forestry Field Practice | 1 |
| SSCI 202 | Social Issues | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| FORT 569 | Wildlife Ecology &Conservation | 3 |
| FORT 572 | Mensuration | 4 |
| FORT 577 | Forest Harvesting Systems | 4 |
| FORT 581 | Applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Techniques | 4 |
| FORT 597 | Work Experience | 0 |
| Optional Coursework | ||
| Arboriculture | ||
OR Optional Elective |
||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ABM 404A & ABM 404B |
Introduction to Business I and Introduction to Business II |
4 |
| FORT 567 | Leadership,Supervision&Safety | 2 |
| FORT 573 | Management Operation&Analysis | 3 |
| FORT 574 | Industrial Forest Management Tour | 1 |
| FORT 576 | Forest Products | 4 |
| FORT 578 | Forest Insects & Diseases | 2 |
| FORT 579 | Forest Fire Control and Use | 2 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 66 | |
Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the Thompson School of Applied Science General Education requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of the Forest Technology program. Forest Technology students are required to take:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NR 425 | Field Dendrology | 4 |
| FORT 463 | Forest Ecology | 3 |
| FORT 465 | Forest Orientation Seminar | 1 |
| FORT 466 | Forest Surveying and Mapping | 4 |
| FORT 470 | Applied Silviculture | 4 |
| FORT 475 | Forestry Field Practice | 1 |
| FORT 567 | Leadership,Supervision&Safety | 2 |
| FORT 569 | Wildlife Ecology &Conservation | 3 |
| FORT 572 | Mensuration | 4 |
| FORT 573 | Management Operation&Analysis | 3 |
| FORT 574 | Industrial Forest Management Tour | 1 |
| FORT 576 | Forest Products | 4 |
| FORT 577 | Forest Harvesting Systems | 4 |
| FORT 578 | Forest Insects & Diseases | 2 |
| FORT 579 | Forest Fire Control and Use | 2 |
| FORT 581 | Applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Techniques | 4 |
| FORT 597 | Work Experience | 0 |
| ABM 404A | Introduction to Business I | 2 |
| ABM 404B | Introduction to Business II | 2 |
| TSAS 405A | Computers in the Workplace/Focus on Software Applications | 2 |
| Total Credits | 52 | |
Explore Program Details
The graduation rate of students working toward a degree over the past ten years averages 78%. Smaller class sizes allow a close watch on the students which helps with their success rates. Most students who do
not make it to graduation leave because they discovered that forestry was not for them. Many of these students transfer into other programs that are more suited to their interests.
The numbers of graduates from the Thompson School who choose to continue on for a baccalaureate degree (either here at UNH or elsewhere) frequently outnumber those entering the job market. This number ranges from 30% to 70%. These students are very successful in this endeavor and usually have a 100% success rate, graduating with their second degree.
Graduation Requirements
The standards for graduation from the Forest Technology program require a minimum of 64 earned credits with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a scale based on 4.0 as the highest.
The table below shows employment trends for our graduates.
|
EMPLOYMENT TYPE |
PERCENT OF GRADUATES |
EMPLOYMENT TYPE |
PERCENT OF GRADUATES |
|
Arborist |
18.1% |
Saw Milling/Wood Products |
7.6% |
|
Forestry Consulting/Land Management |
21.9 % |
Government Forester |
10.5% |
|
Wood Procurement |
1.9% |
Fire |
1.0% |
| Timber Harvesting |
13.3% |
Unknown | 25.7% |
"You should see what we saw"
Serving the UNH Community as a facility for Research, Education and Sustainable Lumber Production since 1968. All lumber is sustainably harvested from university land by Thompson School of Applied Science students in the Forest Technology program as part of their hands-on curriculum of study.
LOCATION: 248 Mast Road, Durham, NH 03824
CONTACT: michael.simmons@unh.edu
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