Managing Forests. Building Resilience.
Healthy forests are essential to resilient communities, clean water and thriving ecosystems. The Forest and Fire Sciences major prepares you to protect and manage forested landscapes through hands-on learning in forest ecology, wildfire management and sustainable natural resource stewardship.
What You Will Study
You'll study forest ecology, fire science, watershed management and natural resource conservation while exploring forest measurement, GIS, remote sensing, environmental policy and sustainable land management.
What You Will Take Away
You'll graduate with the knowledge and hands-on experience to manage forests, reduce wildfire risk and protect natural resources while preparing for careers in forestry, fire management and environmental stewardship.
Concentrations
Explore concentrations aligned with your career goals, interests and passions through hands-on learning and professional experiences.
Forest Resources
Explore the science and sustainable management of forested landscapes through hands-on learning in forest ecology, measurement and natural resource stewardship. You’ll build the technical and management skills for careers in forestry, urban forestry, consulting and natural resource management.
Water Science
Study the science and management of water across forests, rangelands and urban environments. Through hands-on learning in watershed hydrology, post-fire evaluation and stream restoration, you’ll prepare to protect and manage vital water resources.
Wildland Fire
Explore the science and management of fire across wildlands and the urban interface through hands-on learning in fire behavior, fuels management and ecosystem restoration. You’ll build the skills to manage wildfire risk while preparing for professional certification and careers in fire and natural resource management.
Coursework Highlights
Through hands-on coursework and applied learning experiences, students develop the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to lead in modern agriculture.
You’ll examine major forest types and processes that determine their development and productivity across the earth. You’ll also get an overview of the biophysical dynamics of fire and its interactions with vegetation structure and fuels management.
The prehistorical and historical record of human use of, and attitude toward, fire as well as the mythology and religion of fire. Traditional, cultural and ethnic variations and their influence on modern United States institutions involved in managing fire.
A study of biophysical, economic, social and political influences on the forest and the relationships between sustainable forests, ecosystem services, operational practices, forest road design, safety in forest operations and environmental protection.
An overview of regulations pertaining to natural resource protection and management of public and private lands. Current environmental and natural resource law issues and disputes, focusing on evaluation of environmental impacts of public and private projects, programs and activities.
An introduction, analysis, and measurement of watershed processes of precipitation, evapotranspiration, streamflow, stream channels, erosion and riparian functions as well as management toward aquatic habitat and water quality goals.
Experience Forest and Fire Sciences
Learning extends beyond the classroom through professional, social and international experiences that help students grow personally and professionally.
Find Your People
Connect with classmates, build friendships and get involved through student clubs, teams and leadership opportunities.
Compete nationally for the Cal Poly Logging Team or Soil Judging Team, give back through the Environmental Science Club clubs, or join the Xi Alpha Pi honor society.
Industry Experience and Connections
Build professional connections through field experiences, applied projects and industry partnerships. Work towards the Association for Fire Ecology's Wildland Fire Practitioner Certification and prepare for a career in wildfire and natural resource management.
Living Laboratories
Study the impacts of wildfire where they happen. From CZU Lightning Complex Fire at Swanton Pacific Ranch to forests throughout California, you'll gain hands-on experience evaluating fire effects, ecosystem recovery and sustainable forest management.
Discover Forest and Fire Sciences
There is always more to learn about the major, courses you’ll take, what you’ll learn, concentrations and more.