Forestry and Environmental Management

Advisors: Nicholas Bader (Geology), Tim Parker (Biology)

Whitman College has an association with the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University, Durham, N.C. The Cooperative College Program is designed to coordinate the education of students at Whitman College with graduate programs in the broad area of resources and environment offered at Duke University. Participating students are accepted into either of two degree programs, the Master of Forestry (M.F.) or the Master of Environmental Management (M.E.M.). The cooperative program is designed to accommodate students after three years of study at Whitman or upon graduation from Whitman. Duke requires applicants to take the Graduate Record Exam (general test without any advanced subject tests) in October or December of the year prior to the desired year of entrance. Those students who complete the necessary qualifications and who choose to enter Duke after three years may qualify for one of the professional master’s degrees with four semesters at Duke, in which at least 48 credits are earned. Upon completion of the requirements of the Duke program, the student will be awarded the Bachelor of Arts degree in the appropriate field by Whitman College. See the Nicholas School of the Environment website, www.nicholas.duke.edu, for additional information.

The major for the Whitman degree will be biology or geology, depending on the courses taken at Whitman. The specific requirements to be completed at Whitman College are as follows:

  • Required Courses 
  • Other program requirements 
    • Two years of residence at Whitman and a minimum of 94 credits 
    • Duke requires applicants to take the Graduate Record Exam in October or December of the year prior to desired year of entrance
    • Must obtain a recommendation from the Duke/Whitman 3-2 Committee. Duke makes final decision on admissions

Choose

  • 1. Biology
    • 22 credits in biology
    • Required courses
      • Biology 101, 101L, 102, and 102L
      • Chemistry 125, 126, 135, 136 (or 140)
      • Economics 102
      • Mathematics 124 or 125
    • Other requirements
      • Biology 215 or 277
      • 11 credits of biology 200 level or above
      • Economics 100 or 101
      • Geology 125, 110, or 120
      • Statistics course 
    • Other notes
      • Highly recommended: Computer Science 167, Economics 307, a year of physics
  • 2. Geology
    • 22 credits in geology
    • Required courses
      • Geology 227 and 350
      • Biology 111 and 112
      • Chemistry 125, 126, 135, 136 (or 140)
      • Economics 102
      • Mathematics 124 or 125
    • Other major requirements
      • Geology 125, 110, or 120
      • 10 credits in geology above 200 level
      • Economics 100 or 101
      • Statistics course
    • Other notes
      • Strongly recommended: Biology 215 or 277, Computer Science 167, Economics 307, and a year of physics

·         Honors

o Students must submit a proposal for their thesis or project

§  Must be submitted within the first six weeks of the two-semester period in which student is eligible

o To be eligible a student must

§  Have 87 credits

§  Completed two semesters at Whitman

o Once approved, the registrar will be notified by the department

o Cumulative GPA 3.300

o Major GPA 3.500

o Write a thesis graded A or A- by the department faculty

o Pass the senior assessment with distinction

o An acceptable digital copy of the Honors Thesis must be submitted to Penrose Library no later than Reading Day