The PhD in Forest and Natural Resource Sciences (FNRS) is offered by the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. A goal of the Forest and Natural Resource Sciences Graduate Program is to contribute to improved forest health and management through enhanced understanding of relevant ecological and social benefits and constraints. Consequently, a student’s degree program may be directed toward any of the disciplinary or interdisciplinary fields in Forest and Natural Resource Sciences, which range from molecular to landscape and societal levels. The Program’s current research has particular strengths in southern Appalachian hardwood forest ecology and management, forest hydrology and watershed management, reforestation and mine reclamation, invasive species and forest health, animal ecology and management, and human dimensions including forest policy and economics.
Admission Requirements
Applicants for admission to the PhD program in Forest and Natural Resource Sciences degree program must hold (by the time of enrollment in the program) an awarded four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. Holding a MS degree is preferred, but not required. Students with undergraduate and MS degrees in forestry or another natural resource field, natural sciences (biology or chemistry) or social sciences may be admitted to the program as long as the student has secured an advisor to mentor them. Undergraduate and graduate students are expected to have an overall grade point average of 3.00 and a minimum combined verbal and quantitative score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) of 297.
More detailed information concerning the Forest and Natural Resource Sciences Graduate Program’s admission procedures, assistantships, and degree requirements may be obtained at http://forestry.ca.uky.edu/forestry-graduate-program. Specific area(s) of interest of our individual faculty members can be found at: http://forestry.ca.uky.edu/faculty.
Degree Requirements
Total credit hours: 36
Core requirements include: All Forest and Natural Resource Sciences graduate students take: 1)FOR 601 RESEARCH METHODS IN FORESTRY , 3 credits; 2) FOR 602 RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES IN A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE , 3 credits; 3) FOR 603 FOUNDATIONS IN FORESTRY, WILDLIFE AND NATURAL RESOURCE SCIENCES , 3 credits and 4) FOR 770 FORESTRY SEMINAR (SUBTITLE REQUIRED) , three times 3 credits total.
Students focus their remaining coursework (24 credits) requirements by taking 500, 600 or 700 levels courses through various departments at UK. For more details: http://forestry.ca.uky.edu/phd-program
Program Websites: http://forestry.ca.uky.edu/forestry-graduate-program