Forest Operations

Getting wood from the forests to the mills seems simple enough: cut it and haul it. But, in fact, modern timber harvesting is a complex activity that combines the skills of several professions: forester, planner, forest manager, engineer, businessman and more. 

Students choosing the Forest Operations option learn the skills and knowledge necessary to access, harvest, and transport trees from the woods to a process point - a mill or factory - including forest, timber sales, supervising logging crews, designing and laying out roads, and managing logging and wood procurement operations.

The department provides scholarships for students who demonstrate a desire to learn and show promise of successfully completing their educational training in this program.  The University of Idaho and the College of Natural Resources also have scholarships available for students who file their FAFSA information and show good academic standing and/or financial need. 

The curriculum combines basic courses in mathematics, biology, and engineering with upper-level courses -- such as Lumber Manufacturing, Forest Measurements, or Wood Technology - dealing with the resource itself, and upper-level courses addressing economical and environmentally sound ways of moving wood to a process point. Courses include Designing Forest Access, Forest Operations and Investment Analysis, Forest Tractor and Cable Systems Analysis, and others.

A student in Forest Operations can choose one of two emphasis areas - the Technical Emphasis, or the Resource Emphasis.

The Technical Emphasis combines timber harvesting courses with courses in engineering, including the engineering science courses required of all engineering graduates, and upper-level courses in civil engineering. Studies here address the mechanical technologies of harvesting -- including tractor and cable systems. Students selecting this emphasis can complete a second degree in civil or agricultural engineering with an additional year of study.

The Resource Emphasis combines courses in timber harvesting with upper-level courses in forestry, a combination that prepares the woods-oriented student for timber sales planning and management, as well as for harvesting. This combination also allows a student to earn a minor in forest resources and with only two additional courses a minor in Fire Ecology and Management.