State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Bachelor of Science in Forest Health
Syracuse, USA
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
12 Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 10,015 / per semester *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* maximum total tuition for 12 credit hours or more
Key Summary
The forest health major prepares biology-oriented students for employment in positions that deal with maintaining the health of forest resources. The major is distinct from those in the Department of Forest and Natural Resources Management and its forest ecosystem science major, which provides skills and preparation in forest management. Employers today have expressed a need for a deeper understanding of the science behind the trees. Positions requiring a forest health background are found in federal and state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector. With good performance, the forest health major prepares students for graduate study in preparation for higher-level positions, such as forest pathologist, entomologist, or mycologist.
The curriculum provides a solid foundation in the biological and physical sciences, coupled with courses that aid in the holistic understanding of ecological and human forces that shape forest ecosystems. The curriculum draws on the breadth of the field and includes courses in forest pathology, entomology, forestry, microbiology, mycology, soil sciences, and ecology. Students will gain field and lab-based skills such as the identification of biological agents of disease, monitoring of forest changes, and assessment of forest health risks. Six credits of field courses are built into the curricula, three at the Cranberry Lake Biological Station over the summer, and three on campus.
Required Courses
- Introduction/Probability & Statistics
- General Biology I: Organismal Biology & Ecology
- General Biology I Laboratory
- General Bio II: Cell Biology & Genetics
- General Biology II Laboratory
- The Global Environment & Society
- Orientation Seminar: Environmental and Forest Biology
- Ecology Monitor & Biology Assessment
- Diversity of Life I
- Diversity of Life II
- Forest Health Colloquium or Forest Health Seminar
- Introduction to Environmental Microbiology
- Principles Of Genetics
- Principles of Genetics Laboratory
- Principles of Evolution
- General Ecology
- Dendrology I
- Forest/Shade Tree Path
- Forest Entomology or Entomology
- Professional Internship/Environmental Biology or Independent Research/Environmental Biology
- Forest Health Senior Synthesis
- Forest Health Monitoring
- Forest Health Capstone
- Writing And The Environment
- Research Writing & Humanities
- General Chemistry I
- General Chemistry I Laboratory
- General Chemistry II
- General Chemistry II Laboratory
- Elements Of Organic Chemistry
- Introduction to Soils
- Environmental Physics
Electives
- General Education Course in one of the following categories:
- US History & Civic Engagement
- The Arts
- World History and Global Awareness
- World Languages
- US History & Civic Engagement
- The Arts
- World History and Global Awareness
- World Languages
- General Education Course in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice
- Directed Electives
- Open Electives
ESF is consistently ranked highly for its outstanding academics, unwavering commitment to sustainability, global impact, affordability, and more. This recognition demonstrates our commitment to providing the best experience and outcomes for our students.
Number 1
- #1: Most Affordable School for Women in STEM | study
- #1: Sustainability Curriculum | Sustainable Campus Index, AASHE
- #1: Sustainable Investments and Finance | Sustainable Campus Index, AASHE
Top 5
- #2: Green Matters: Everyone Cares About Conservation | The Princeton Review
- #2: Zero Waste Campus | Post Landfill Action Network
- #3: Sustainability Research | Sustainable Campus Index, AASHE
- #4: Public Engagement | Sustainable Campus Index, AASHE
- #4: Top Green College | The Princeton Review