Faculty
Interim Department Chair: Dr. Christopher Chappell
Department of Urban Forestry, Environment, and Natural Resources
College of Agricultural Human and Environmental Sciences
Southern University and A&M College
christopher.chappe@sus.edu
Program Leader: Dr. Zhu Hua Ning
Department of Urban Forestry, Environment, and Natural Resources
College of Agricultural Human and Environmental Sciences
Southern University and A&M College
Baton Rouge, LA 70813
Phone: (225) 771-6292
Fax: (225) 771-6292
Email: zhu.ning@sus.edu
Contact Person: Dr. Zhu Ning
Professor:
Ning, Zhu H.
Ph.D., Forestry/Tree Physiology & Anatomy
S.F. Austin State University
Qi, Yadong
Ph.D., Forestry/Ecology & Silviculture
S.F. Austin State University
Twumasi, Yaw
Ph.D., Plant & Soil Science/GlS & Remote Sensing
Alabama A&M University
Associate Professor:
Chappell, Christopher
Ph.D., Urban Forestry/Management
Southern University and A&M College
Manrique, Veronica
Ph.D., Entomology/Invasive Species & Biological Control
University of Florida
Introduction
Introduction
The Urban Forestry PhD Graduate Program was established in the fall of 2004. The available areas of concentration include Urban Forest Science (Eco- physiology, Tree Physiology/Anatomy, Urban Forest Health and Risk Assessment, Urban Forest Ecology, Urban Forest Soil, Urban Forest & Climate Change, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Urban Forest Sustainability and Bioenergy, and Urban Forest Management (Arboriculture, Urban Forest Management, Water Resource Management/GlS). The nature of the program is essentially defined by an advanced training in the theory and practice of urban forestry and the conduct of research in issues and concerns in urban forestry and urban natural resources. The objectives of the proposed degree program are: a) to offer the targeted students opportunities to acquire a broad-based knowledge of several areas in urban forestry and natural resources that impact the State of Louisiana and the nation, and b) to enable the graduates of the program to be highly marketable and competitive in the field. The overall goal of the program is to produce high caliber scientists in urban forestry and natural resources. The program will uniquely address the increasing concerns on (a) the decline of the quality and quantity of our urban and community forests and natural resources, (b) the preservation, restoration and enhancement of environmental quality, and (c) the long-term effects on the urban infrastructure. In addition, the program will train future professionals in urban forestry to effect planning, management, and policy of urban societies and to provide a healthier urban environment to live in.
The uniqueness of the program will address urban forestry problems and emerging issues in urban forestry and natural resources. The Ph.D. training program will effectively prepare students for a variety of job opportunities in State and Federal agencies, industries, and academia.
Admissions Requirements
In addition to the general requirements specified by the Southern University Graduate School, the Urban Forestry Ph.D. Program has the following special requirements:
Admission requirements:
A master's degree in urban forestry, forestry, renewable and natural resources, plant and soil sciences, biology, chemistry, natural and environmental sciences, and other related areas are required for all applicants.
Must have a minimum overall grade point average (G.P.A.) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all master level graduate work completed.
Must submit the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score.
Must submit a Curriculum vitae/Resume.
Must submit a concise essay on research background and career goals.
Three written letters of recommendation, two of which must be from advisors in student major field.
Applicants with master degrees in other disciplines may be admitted with conditions. The student must remove conditional status by earning at least a B (3.0) average in the first nine hours of graduate courses; failure to achieve this average will result in withdrawal from the program.
Plan of Study
Core Courses
Students are required to complete 30 hours of core courses, 6 hours of technical elective credits, and 30 research hours.
Research Courses
Electives
UFOR Prerequisites
Background Requirement
Students who need to gain an urban forestry background are required to take 9 to 12 hours of remedial courses from the following courses plus any other urban forestry core courses as deemed necessary by the major professor and graduate committee.