Introduction to the Major
The Ecosystem Management and Forestry (EMF) major focuses on the conservation and restoration of the earth’s natural resources through hands-on study of the ecology, stewardship, and management of forest, woodland, and grassland ecosystems. Students can choose to emphasize in topics such as wildlife biology, water policy, fire science, ecosystem restoration, environmental justice, remote sensing and GIS, and rural sociology.
EMF graduates are well-prepared for graduate schools and careers in environmental consulting, public agencies, non-profit conservation organizations, and private companies.
Major Specializations
The program offers two specializations. The Forestry specialization provides students with the ecological, quantitative, and social foundation to be leaders in the management of forests and forest resources. Students qualify to take the Registered Professional Forester’s licensing exam in California.
The Natural Resource Management specialization provides students with greater flexibility to explore subjects in ecology, physical environment, monitoring and measurement, and management and policy. Students can concentrate their studies in water management, ecology, climate change, or design their own concentration.
Amplify Your Major
- Spend eight weeks with the Sierra Nevada as your classroom in the Forestry Field Camp
- Spend a semester in the French Polynesian island of Moorea engaging in research.
- Join an undergraduate student group such as Forestry Club
- Explore research, facilities, and events from Berkeley Forests
First Year
Explore Your Major
- Meet with your college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Review major and college requirements.
- Talk to the college’s peer advisors about life in the major.
Connect and Build Community
- Take advantage of the college’s Student Resource Center
- Join a student group such as Forestry Club
- Consider living in the Global Environment Theme House.
Discover Your Passions
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar or student-run DeCal course
- Apply for a research position through SPUR
- Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships
- Learn about research opportunities for Rausser College students.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
- Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center
- Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library
- Develop a plan for getting career ready
- Sign up for Handshake and CareerMail
- Check out the Ecosystem Management and Forestry Career Snapshot
- Check out the SAF Job Postings
Second Year
Explore Your Major
- Complete lower division prerequisites and declare the major.
- Complement your major with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor
- Review college guidelines for study abroad.
Connect and Build Community
- Start attending events in the college.
- Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
- Attend Student Environmental Resource Center meetings to engage with sustainability issues on campus.
- Join the Logging Sports Team to make connections with forestry professionals.
Discover Your Passions
- Enroll in a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course
- Assist faculty in their research through SPUR or URAP.
- Check out research by your peers at a college poster session.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Contribute to a community organization with an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course
- Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program
- Be introduced to the scientific and professional dimensions of forest and wildlife management with the Forestry Field Camp.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Take advantage of career and pre-health advising for Rausser College students.
- Explore careers with the Career Connections Series or Cal Job Shadow Program.
- Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
- Plan internships and attend internship fairs.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
- Focus on upper division courses.
- Explore approved electives from outside departments for a more interdisciplinary experience, or build an emphasis by taking interrelated classes.
- Ask your college advisor about the Rausser College Honors Program.
Connect and Build Community
- Help other students as a Rausser College Peer Advisor
- Become a Golden Bear Orientation Leader and welcome new students to UC Berkeley.
- Seek mentorship from your professors, faculty, and graduate student instructors.
Discover Your Passions
- Apply for a Rausser College Travel Grant to fund travel for academic conferences or research.
- Find research and funding opportunities in the OURS database, SPUR, or URAP
- Explore research, facilities, and events from Berkeley Forests.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Work on energy and climate change solutions as part of the CITRIS Workforce Innovation Program
- If interested in environmental policy, look into UCDC or Cal in the Capital
- Apply your skills in projects for the Green Initiative Fund.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Conduct informational interviews
- Discuss graduate school options with advisors and professors.
- Update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Attend career and graduate school fairs
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
- Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
- Complete any “bucket list” courses.
- Finish remaining major, college, and campus requirements.
Connect and Build Community
- Join a professional association such as the Society of American Foresters
- Connect with alumni groups such as California Alumni Foresters, and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
Discover Your Passions
- Teach your own DeCal course
- Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study.
- Present your research at a college poster session or submit it to the Berkeley Scientific Journal.
- Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State
- Attend a conference such as the Society for American Foresters Conference. Look into travel grants from the college and ASUC.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
- Utilize job board tools in your job search.
- Attend Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting
- Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
Jobs and Employers
- Asst. Vegetation Ecologist, Great Basin Institute
- Ecological Restoration Intern, GGNRA
- Environmental Planner, Transcon
- Field Technician, Jefferson Resource Co.
- Forestry Aide, CAL FIRE
- Forestry Tech., Collins Pine Co.
- Forestry Tech., The Foresters Coop
- Forestry Tech., W.M. Beaty & Assoc.
- Guide, Alaska Travel Adventures
- Lab Manager, UC Berkeley
- Research Assoc., UC Natural Reserve
- Research Tech., US Forest Service
Graduate Programs
- Botany & Plant Physiology, Masters
- Ecology, Masters
- Ecology, PhD
- Forestry, Masters
- Forestry, PhD
- Nat. Resource Management, Masters
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit nature.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
The Undergraduate Advisors for all Rausser College majors are located in the Office of Instruction and Student Affairs in 260 Mulford Hall.
Visit nature.berkeley.edu/advising/meet-rausser-advisors for detailed office hours and appointment booking links. You may email general advising questions to crs.emf.ugrad@berkeley.edu.
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
