B. S. Forest & Fire Sciences

About the major …

The B.S. degree program in Forest & Fire Sciences (FFS) prepares students for careers in the protection and management of our forest and natural resources. This degree program name was changed from Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR) to better reflect the curriculum available to students. Any current FNR student can move to the 2021-2022 catalog and graduate with the degree title of FFS.

The Society of American Foresters accredits the Forest & Fire Sciences program. Also, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recognizes employment as a forester with the Federal Government upon graduation. 

Graduates qualify for such positions as forester, environmental interpreter, natural resource manager, urban forester, park administrator, park ranger, resource planner, watershed manager, hydrologist, fire and fuels manager, and many other related environmental career areas.

Cal Poly graduates are employed throughout the world: establishing, managing and sustaining forests and urban wildland areas; providing opportunities for a full range of uses; teaching; extension; research; and protecting and managing the environment.

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Forestry Graduate Placement Rates by Academic Year

Academic Year	Number of Graduates	Percent of Respondents Employed	Percent of Respondents Employed in Forestry	Job Type or Title
2012-2013	39	92%	82%	Foresters (x13), Graduate Student (x3), part-time (x3), other(x4)
2011-2012	38	84%	93%	Foresters (x12), Graduate Student (x2), part-time, other
2010-2011	31	94%	94%	Foresters (x12), Graduate Student (x2), part-time (x2), other
2009-2010	40	90%	88%	Foresters (x12), Graduate Student (x2), part-time (x2), other (x2)
2008-2009	34	90%	89%	Foresters (x12), Graduate Student (x2), part-time (x3), other (x2)
2007-2008	34	100%	84%	Foresters (x16), Graduate Student (x4), part-time (x2), other (x4)
2006-2007	37	83%	100%	Foresters (x9), part-time
2005-2006	38	100%	92%	Foresters (x9), Graduate Student (x2), part-time (x1), other
2004-2005	33	94%	87%	Foresters (x14), other (x2)
2003-2004	31	95%	95%	Foresters (x14), Graduate Student (x3), part-time (x2), other
2002-2003	37	92%	91%	Foresters (x13), Graduate Student (x6), part-time (x2), other (x2)
2001-2002	41	96%	69%	Foresters (x13), Graduate Student (x5), other (x8)
2001-2002	41	96%	69%	Foresters (x13), Graduate Student (x5), other (x8)
2000-2001	25	100%	82%	Foresters (x9), Graduate Student (x5), other (x3 )