Advancing safe, economical, and environmentally sound forest operations through outstanding teaching and innovative leadership in research and outreach education
The Department of Forest Engineering was established in 1913 to educate logging engineers for the developing forest industry. Research and outreach education missions were added 1968 and 1972 respectively. Today 16 faculty members, including engineers, hydrologists, and forest scientists, support undergraduate and graduate education, research, extension, and continuing education programs.
The university is ideally located on the west coast of North America among diverse and productive forests. The forest sector is a major element of the region's economy. Steep terrain commonly requires well engineered roads and harvest systems. Societal concerns over forestry practices have increased regulations and costs, which add challenges in global markets.
We offer a four-year forest engineering undergraduate degree that is accredited by both the Accreditation Board of Engineering Technology and the Society of American Foresters. A similarly accredited five-year program provides Bachelor of Science degrees in Forest Engineering and in Civil Engineering. Graduates have excellent employment opportunities. In 2006 we anticipate enrolling students in a new degree in Forest Operations Management. We supplement classroom learning through a logging training program that operates on our nearby 5000 ha College of Forestry forest and a required 6-month work experience.
Graduate education is offered through research-focused PhD and Master of Science degrees, and a non-thesis Master of Forestry. Program concentrations are available in forest engineering, forest hydrology, forest operations, forest soil science, and harvesting. A joint PhD program in harvesting and silviculture is available.
Faculty research interests include: harvesting process engineering, transportation system design, logistics, production planning to maximize stand and log value, development of landscape planning models, applications of information technologies, forestry workforce issues, understanding and mitigating environment impacts of forestry activities, and basic hydrological sciences. Faculty members have developed several decision-support software programs that are widely used in designing forest operations.
Research results are actively conveyed to forest operations professionals, the public, and policy makers, and contribute to the scientific foundation for forest management and regulation. In addition to many kinds of publications, we offer extension and continuing education programs that support life-long learning. A new International Forest Engineering Institute was established in 2005 and we are preparing to host the 13th International Mountain Logging and Skyline Logging Symposium in April 2007.
The department actively supports the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO), the Council on Forest Engineering, and this journal. Six faculty currently or have previously served as IUFRO officers.
Our faculty approaches the 21st century with excitement about the relevance of forest engineering in balancing society's demands for wood products, clean water, and other resources from sustainable forests around the world.
For further information, please contact Steve Tesch, PhD, Professor and Head of Forest Engineering at:
Forest Engineering Department
Oregon State University
Corvallis,OR97331-5706
Phone: 541-737^952
Fax:541-7374316
E-mail: Steve.Tesch@oregonstate.edu