2025-2026 Academic Catalog
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Environmental Informatics applies data analysis, computational modeling, and information science to study the environment and manage natural resources. Students in the Environmental Informatics major gain expertise in the environment and in the computational and analytical approaches to solve environmental challenges, including geographic information, mathematical and statistical modeling, remote sensing, database management, knowledge integration, and decision making.
Programs of study in Forestry include three options focused on forest management and are accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF), the national scientific and educational organization representing the forestry profession in the United States.
Students in the Forest Resources Management Option gain expertise in the biological and social sciences needed to make sound management decisions concerning regeneration, growth, protection, management, and sustainability of forest ecosystems. Graduates pursue careers in the forest industry, public agencies, non-governmental agencies, and private forestry companies.
In the Forest Operations and Business Option, students prepare to take an active role in assuring that the sale, harvest, and conversion of standing timber to products is done in an efficient, economic, safe, and environmentally sound manner. Graduates pursue careers in forest industry, national and state forest services, forestry consulting firms, and the equipment industry.
Students in the Urban Forestry Option gain expertise in the management of forest resources in cities, towns, and other urbanized environments. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary perspectives and students take classes in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Affairs and Planning to customize a curriculum that supports their career goals. Graduates pursue careers in municipal forestry, commercial tree care, utility vegetation management, urban environmental consulting, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
Students in the Environmental Resource Management Major gain expertise in managing environmental resources from a wide variety of environmental perspectives, including forest resources, soils, water, environmental law, policy and planning, and environmental economics. Graduates pursue careers in public agencies, private industry, and firms that deal with forested wetland protection, endangered species, the urban-rural interface, and sustainability.
Programs of study in Environmental Conservation and Society prepare students for a broad array of natural resource careers with an emphasis on social sciences and public communication.
The Recreation and Tourism Management Option prepares students to be the managers, planners, and program administrators who deal with today's complex conservation challenges. Courses in ecological, natural, and social sciences, planning, tourism, and business management, are combined with a deep understanding of recreation resources. Graduates pursue careers in government and non-government organizations as well as commercial recreation and green businesses.
The Education and Outreach Option offers a balance of natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities to give students a well-rounded base of knowledge about the natural world. Graduates pursue careers in nature education, environmental interpretation, resource education, and communications, or they may pursue a license for an elementary education career.
The Water: Resources, Policy, and Management degree addresses the protection and development of water resources by providing the interdisciplinary training required to meet water challenges and opportunities now and in the future.
University Distinguished Professor: H. E. Burkhart
Alumni Distinguished Professor: J. R. Seiler
Julian N. Cheatham Professor: G. S. Amacher
Honorable Garland Gray Professor: W. M. Aust
Professors: M. C. Bolding, R. B. Hull, K. J. McGuire, J. F. Munsell, S. H. Schoenholtz, M. J. Stern, J. Sullivan, V. A. Thomas, and R. H. Wynne
Associate Professors: S. M. Barrett, A. M. Brunner, K. M. Cobourn, C. A. Copenheaver, J. A. Holliday, J. A. McGee, D. L. McLaughlin, P. J. Radtke, M. G. Sorice, B. D. Strahm, R. Q. Thomas, and P. E. Wiseman
Assistant Professors: D. R. Carter, T.A. Coates, and S. Z. Schons
Collegiate Assistant Professor: J. P. Gannon
Adjunct Faculty: C. Anderson, S. Bailey, G. Busby, D. Chojnacky, J. W. Coulston, A. J. Finkral, J. Knoepp, W. Lakel, C. Maier, R. Rubilar, E. Schilling, D. Soucek, and J. Westfall
Courtesy Appointments: D. Robertson, R. J. Harris, R. Jones, P. Miller, and S. M. Salom
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