Departments in the College

Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences

The Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences provides students with instruction and expertise in a diverse array of ecological and biophysical sciences.  The faculty in this newly formed department directly participate in the Wildlife Biology, Natural Resource Conservation, and Forest Management curricula and are currently spearheading the development of a Restoration Ecology curriculum.  The Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences draws from its strength as a multidisciplinary department to pursue and disseminate knowledge in an array of biophysical and ecological sciences.  The department strives to create a rigorous, stimulating, and inspirational environment for undergraduate through doctoral students facilitating knowledge of ecosystem processes and ecological function in a biologically diverse and scenic setting. The department is committed to nurturing and developing the creative potential within all students and strives to provide students with an ideal environment to develop an ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and learn passionately. Outstanding faculty-student interaction and innovative laboratory and field courses provide exceptional opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to obtain the knowledge and skills essential to excel in an increasingly complex, competitive, and sophisticated society. 

Forest Management

The Department of Forest Management strives to provide the foundations and tools necessary for developing sustainable land management. While our home is in the diverse ecosystems of western Montana, our activities are global. We foster an atmosphere conducive to interdisciplinary teaching, research, and service. Our educational program produces graduates with the knowledge essential for guiding conservation, management, and restoration activities that are consistent with social, economic, and biological realities. Our research and service programs strive to produce new approaches needed for managing forest and grassland ecosystems in an ever-changing world. Research is integrated with the graduate and undergraduate curricula, and our graduate students are prepared to assume leadership positions in management and research organizations.”

Society and Conservation

The Department of Society and Conservation provides social science expertise to the College of Forestry and Conservation. The faculty members are trained in Recreation and Tourism management, Environmental Policy and Environmental sociology. Our degree programs include B.S. and M.S. degrees in Recreation management and Resource Conservation and a Ph.D. in Forestry. Our research interests range form local to international aspects of protected area management with a focus on the human relationships to natural areas.