The School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, through teaching, research, and outreach, generates and disseminates knowledge for the stewardship of natural and managed environments and the sustainable use of their products and services. Its vision is to provide internationally recognized knowledge and leadership for environmental and natural resource issues. The school's programs focus on the sustainability and functionality of complex natural resource and environmental systems, using an integrated, interdisciplinary approach across multiple scales involving the urban-to-wildland gradient. Its programs serve society generally, and natural resource professions in particular, with graduates well equipped to contribute to discussions and solutions to resource problems facing the region and the world.
The Bioresource Science and Engineering (BSE) major is designed for students seeking training in chemical and physical sciences and chemical engineering as applied to manufacturing sustainable products, fuels, and chemicals from biomass resources. It emphasizes the application of mathematics, chemistry, and engineering to bioresources based industries. BSE is an engineering program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. BSE provides extensive faculty contact, active student groups, and research opportunities.
Suggested First- and Second-Year School Courses: CHEM 142, CHEM 152, CHEM 162 (or CHEM 143, CHEM 153; or CHEM 145, CHEM 155, CHEM 165), CHEM 237, CHEM 238; ECON 200; ENGL 131 (or other 5-credit English composition course); ENGR 231 (or department-approved alternative); AA 260; MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 207 (or MATH 134, MATH 135, MATH 136); PHYS 121, PHYS 122, PHYS 123 (or PHYS 141, PHYS 142, PHYS 143); Q SCI 381; BSE 210, BSE 248.
Admission Requirements
The Bioresource Science and Engineering major uses the College of Engineering admission processes to admit students to the major. Prospective UW students may apply for Freshman admission as an Engineering Undeclared student or for Transfer admission to the BSE major. Current UW students without Engineering Undeclared status may apply during the Transfer student application cycles.
Engineering Undeclared Students
See section on College of Engineering Admission website for additional details on the Direct-to-College admission and placement process for Engineering Undeclared students. The deadline to submit a request for placement in an engineering major occurs annually on July 1.
If the number of Engineering Undeclared students requesting the major exceeds the department capacity for such students, a matching process is implemented. Factors considered include performance in prerequisite courses, quality of overall academic record, content of personal statement, applicable work or extracurricular activities, and other special circumstances as disclosed by the applicant.
Engineering Undeclared students in good standing with respect to the continuation criteria described below may request placement into an engineering major after completion of minimum requirements as specified below:
Students in good standing who do not meet the placement requirements by July 1 will be placed into a major on a conditional basis pending the completion of all placement requirements. Additional advising resources will be available to these students. See section on College of Engineering Continuation Policy for Engineering Undeclared Students for additional details.
Current UW Students and Transfer Students
Current UW students without Engineering Undeclared status and transfer students may apply. Transfer students must first submit a UW Transfer application for the appropriate quarter before applying to the major during the College of Engineering admission process. Admission is capacity constrained.
Current UW students should refer to information on the department website regarding taking BSE 210 in autumn quarter and BSE 248 in spring quarter.
Factors evaluated for admission include performance in prerequisite courses, quality of overall academic record, demonstrated ability to handle rigorous course load, record of honors, content of personal statement, applicable work or extracurricular activities, and other special circumstances as disclosed by the applicant.
The Bioresource Science and Engineering (BSE) major is designed for students seeking training in chemical and physical sciences and chemical engineering as applied to manufacturing sustainable products, fuels, and chemicals from biomass resources. It emphasizes the application of mathematics, chemistry, and engineering to bioresources based industries. BSE is an engineering program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. BSE provides extensive faculty contact, active student groups, and research opportunities.
Completion Requirements
General Education Requirements
Basic Skills
Areas of Inquiry
Major Requirements (74 credits)
Additional electives to reach 180 credits.
The Business Option provides knowledge about common business practices, including marketing, management, finance and accounting.
Completion Requirements
General Education Requirements
Basic Skills
Areas of Inquiry
Major Requirements (74 credits)
Additional electives to reach 180 credits.
Option specific credits (additional 10 credits minimum): ESRM 320 and ESRM 321.
Students in Environmental Science and Resource Management (ESRM) learn about natural and human-dominated​ landscapes and how to apply this knowledge to real-world problems. With a focus on sustainability, students work with professors and regional experts on environmental issues. Field work gives students enhanced opportunities for experiential learning and service in a rich contextual landscape.
Suggested First- and Second-Year School Courses: ENGL 131 (or other 5-credit English composition course); COM 220; BIOL 180, BIOL 200, BIOL 220; CHEM 120, CHEM 220; any 5-credit A&H course; MATH 120 or Q SCI 291; ESRM 210.
Students in good academic standing may declare this major at any time.
Students in Environmental Science and Resource Management (ESRM) learn about natural and human-dominated​ landscapes and how to apply this knowledge to real-world problems. With a focus on sustainability, students work with professors and regional experts on environmental issues. Fieldwork gives students enhanced opportunities for experiential learning and service in a rich contextual landscape.
180 credits
General Education Requirements
Major Requirements
62 credits
Free electives: As needed to bring minimum total to 180 credits.
Natural Resources and Environmental Management (NREM) is an integrated approach to studying the interaction of physical, biological, and social processes on ecological systems at a wide range of spatial scales. The NREM option focuses on applied aspects of environmental management that create, sustain, and alter landscapes to achieve biological diversity and integrity as well as social purposes.
180 credits
General Education Requirements
Major Requirements
62 credits
Free electives: As needed to bring minimum total to 180 credits.
Option specific credits (minimum 45 credits): ESRM 323; ESRM 331, ESRM 350; ESRM 381; ESRM 400; ESRM 426; ESRM 470. Minimum one course each from three approved lists. See adviser for approved lists.
Students in the Restoration Ecology and Environmental Horticulture (REEH) option learn and apply fundamental concepts of biology, plant science, and ecology. This disciplinary knowledge, with supporting coursework and experience, allows students to become accomplished in producing plant materials, managing sustainable landscapes, repairing damaged ecosystems, and participating in large interdisciplinary projects.
180 credits
General Education Requirements
Major Requirements
62 credits
Free electives: As needed to bring minimum total to 180 credits.
Option specific credits (minimum 45 credits): Courses selected from an approved list. See adviser for approved list.
Students acquire the knowledge and skills to measure and assess natural resources in order to understand the ecology of forest systems; manage for environmental services; treat forest fuels; achieve sustainable harvest; market and sell forest products; and understand how social, economic, and ecologic forces impact the management of forests and their resources.
180 credits
General Education Requirements
Major Requirements
62 credits
Free electives: As needed to bring minimum total to 180 credits.
Option specific credits (minimum 45 credits): ESRM 323; ESRM 331; ESRM 368; ESRM 400; ESRM 426 or ESRM 447; ESRM 428; ESRM 430; ESRM 461; ESRM 470. Minimum one course each from three approved lists. See adviser for approved lists.
Wildlife Conservation is the science and art of managing animal populations and their related resources. This option offers coursework in wildlife ecology, quantitative science, and the social and political aspects of wildlife conservation issues. Students can expect hands-on field experiences including how to identify, capture, and handle animals; and how to assess, map, and plan wildlife habitats. Instruction on writing technical reports and scientific papers, and presentation of findings and implementation of wildlife conservation plans will be covered.​
180 credits
General Education Requirements
Major Requirements
62 credits
Free electives: As needed to bring minimum total to 180 credits.
Option specific credits (minimum 46 credits): ESRM 350; ESRM 351; ESRM 441; ESRM 450; ESRM451/Q SCI 451; ESRM 458; Q SCI 482; and one from ESRM 452, ESRM 453, ESRM 459. Capstone (10 credits): ESRM 462, ESRM 463, and ESRM 464; or ESRM 494 and ESRM 496; or ESRM 494 and ESRM 495.
The minor in Ecological Restoration seeks to prepare students to address the complex relationships of human communities and ecological sustainability. The minor is a tri-campus initiative (UW Bothell, UW Seattle, and UW Tacoma) offered by the UW Restoration Ecology Network. Students may, but are not required to, take courses from more than one campus in order to earn the minor.
25 credits
The ESRM minor offers students majoring in a wide range of subjects exposure to the challenges facing terrestrial ecosystems, including their conservation and restoration. Course work provides a solid foundation for links to other fields of biology, environmental education, journalism and public policy.
Minimum 25 credits
Student Outcomes and Opportunities
The goal of the bioresource science and engineering curriculum is to provide students with the training, tools, and experiences needed to be successful professionals in the paper and allied industries. At the same time, it provides a comprehensive education so graduates can effectively work and live in the world's complex society.
The goal of the environmental science and terrestrial resource management curriculum is to present fundamental knowledge and problem-solving experiences that enable students to understand the interdisciplinary dimensions of natural resource and environmental sciences and management. The structure of this curriculum provides great flexibility for students to pursue specialized fields through the formal program options, which include: landscape ecology and conservation; restoration ecology and environmental horticulture; sustainable forest management; and wildlife conservation; or to construct individual coursework to fit their educational goals.
Career opportunities abound in the area of environmental science and terrestrial resource management in both private and public sectors. One example is the projected need in the U.S. Forest Service, where it is estimated that one-third of the workforce will be retiring within the next five years.
Undergraduate research opportunities are available. Students should contact faculty members in their areas of interest. There are also foreign study and field opportunities within the College. Some are formal study with faculty members, others are through other agencies. Contact the Office of Student and Academic Services for more information.
The Washington Pulp and Paper Foundation provides scholarships for students enrolled in the bioresource science and engineering curriculum. For information, contact Professor Rick Gustafson in Bloedel 364 or visit the foundation website.
Of Special Note: Some classes include field trips or require laboratory supplies or material duplication at student expense.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.