PROPOSAL 7-77
INDUSTRIAL FORESTRY OPTION
BACKGROUND:
Development of the proposed option was requested in 1974 by the American Pulpwood Association in their effort to encourage a regional university with the proper location, staff, and forestry interest to implement this unique combination of courses. The Association comprises those firms which produce pulp, paper, and paper-related products throughout the United States. It is one of the nation's largest industries and member firms of the Association employ a large number of professional foresters.
On September 19, 1976, the Vice President of Academic Affairs requested that the Senate make a recommendation on a proposal to establish an Industrial Forestry Option in the Bachelor of Science in Forestry degree program. Senate Policy 10-70, Procedures for Developing Significant Changes in the Academic Programs, requires that the Senate Curricular Policy Committee consider the merits of such a proposal and submit a recommendation to the Senate. The Senate, in turn, is required to submit a recommendation to the President.
On September 27, 1976, the Curricular Policy Committee solicited comments on the proposed option from academic deans and department heads. Comments were received from Air Force ROTC, Business Administration, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Humanities, and Mathematics. These comments were discussed by the Committee on October 12, 1976. On October 29, 1976, the Chairman of the Committee and the Head of Forestry negotiated alterations to the proposed option. On November 11, 1976, the Curricular Policy Committee voted to recommend adoption of Proposal 7-77 to the Senate. The Committee had no reservations about the desirability of having an Industrial Forestry option, the compatibility of such an option with the Role Statement of MTU, or about the need for graduates from such an option. On November 16, 1976, the Committee was informed that the Forestry Faculty had approved the option as amended.
The Curricular Policy Committee recognizes that the curriculum is intense, requiring a total of 208 credits of which only 6 are free electives. However, it should be noted that all forestry options require 208 credits and must satisfy the requirements of the Michigan Board of Registration for Foresters and the U.S. Civil Service educational requirements for service in natural resource management. Because 19 of the 208 credits are earned during the summer, students have several quarters in which only 14 or 15 credits are required. Consequently, a student could take additional courses without prolonging his or her program. Moreover, the choice of an option within a degree program by the student is itself an elective choice because other options exist in the degree program which offer more electives.
An innovative feature of this option is that students are permitted to satisfy a management/leadership course requirement by taking a ROTC course (AR301 or AF401) if they so desire. ROTC prerequisites will be waived for option students who elect to take it. It has been determined that no graduation or accreditation problems would result from such a feature. Students can choose to satisfy the same requirement by taking BA361.
PROPOSAL:
The Senate of Michigan Technological University recommends the establishment of an Industrial Forestry Option in the Bachelor of Science in Forestry degree program. A description of the program follows.
For students who, upon graduation, seek placement in forest practice in the pulp and paper industry or in related forest products industries. Students must schedule: AR301 or AF401 or BA361; BA363, 827; FR310, 350, 416, 472, 490; ME422; PE200 plus free electives (Recommended electives: BA308 or 391; HU327 or 332).
FIRST YEAR
BL190 BL104 BL106 FR105 FR203 FR330 HU101 HU102 HU103 MA130 MA131 MA135 or MA150 PE PE PE Total 46 SECOND YEAR
Summer FR204 CH101 CH102 FR216 WF235 MA207 FR205 FR251 GE201 ME205 FR210 PE110 PH201 PH202 FR250 PE200 Total 68
THIRD YEAR
FR230 FR435 WF320 FR301 FR310 FR350 BA201 HU/SS BA363 HU/SS BA202 HU110 FR315 FR416 HU/SS Total 48 FOURTH YEAR
FR408 AR301 (AF402, BA361) FR380 BA327 FR415 FR490 FR455 FR405 FR472 ME442* HU/SS Elective SS230 HU/SS Total 46 GRAND TOTAL FOR CURRICULUM 208
*ME422, Fluid Power Systems is under consideration for modification by the Mechanical Engineering Faculty for the purpose of this program.
Adopted by Senate: 8 December 1976
Approved by President: 2 November 1977