Faculty: Professors Karsov (chair), Bockheim, Bowe, Clayton, Gower, Kruger, Langston, Lorimer, Mladenoff, Radeloff, Raffa, Rickenbach, Stanosz, Townsend; Associate Professor Balster; Assistant Professors Alix-Garcia, Ozdogan, Pidgeon, Rissman
The Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology offers graduate education and training in a number of areas leading to the master of science and/or the doctor of philosophy in forestry or wildlife ecology. We take pride in our program's outstanding research reputation and the success of our graduates working throughout the world. The wildlife ecology program was founded by Aldo Leopold in 1939, and we have maintained his vision and legacy of excellence in our current research and graduate training activities. Leopold's career spanned two professions, forestry and wildlife conservation, so we strive to maintain excellence in both fields.
Master's and doctoral work in forestry is offered in the following areas: forest ecology, silviculture, forest ecosystem analysis and management, landscape ecology and planning, forest stand dynamics, forest restoration ecology, tree physiology, forest and environmental history, remote sensing of forests and natural resources, natural resource policy, social forestry and forest management.
In recent years, annual research support for the department's programs has averaged between 3-4 million dollars drawn from an array of federal (NSF, NASA, USDA), state (WDNR, FocusonEnergy), conservation organizations and private donors. Competition for admission is very strong and not every admissible student can or will be offered financial support. Graduate assistantships and/or fellowships may be available for a limited number of well-qualified students. Before submitting an application for admission, interested students should contact individual faculty to determine whether an assistantship or other financial aid is available. Once admitted, students work closely with major professors and an advisory committee to develop a research program.
The equivalent of a bachelor's degree in forestry, wildlife ecology, or a related field is required for admission with full standing to pursue graduate studies in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology. Students with undergraduate work in other fields may be admitted with deficiencies; these deficiencies must be removed during the first year of graduate study. Academic requirements for admission are those of The Graduate School and the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology; Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores are required.
For more information: Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, 226 Russell Labs, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706; 608-262-9975; rodock@wisc.edu; fwe.wisc.edu.
