A Forest Engineer is a professional with high-quality training in social and natural sciences and mathematics, as well as with technological knowledge that is based on a practical process of learning, which complies with national reality. This is complemented with a strict set of environmental ethical values. As a result, graduates handle the country’s sustainable management of forest resources in a responsible way.
Professional profile
Forest Engineers seek a harmonic relationship among social, economical and environmental objectives. This is part of all production systems, both in timber and in other forest derived products (natural or planted). These concerns affect all stages of production and harvest, the development of technology of forestry products, conservation strategies and the improvement of genetic resources, the evaluation of environmental impact and the corresponding mitigation strategies.
The application of Geographic Information Systems is also critical in the management of forest environmental services: quality of the water in the hydrological cycle, soil conservation, greenhouse gases fixation, environmental education and conservation of biological diversity.
Working field in Forest Engineering
Professionals in Forest Engineering work in technical areas of their field; they can work in the private sector and in state forest administration, non-governmental organizations, conservation organizations, research and development projects and others. They are also consultants in national and international organizations and they may establish their own businesses.
National relevance of forestry
Costa Rican forests provide great biological diversity, high-quality water for human consumption, irrigation, industry and energy production, ecological tourism and the mitigation of global warming. It is now possible to test sustainable timber production systems in secondary forests and plantations, thus eliminating the threat that international markets pose on some agricultural products. Forest engineers play a critical role in turning forest resources into competitive advantages and international threats into opportunities towards the sustainable development of the country.
Resources and Facilities
The School of Forest Engineering has specialized professors that are engaged in teaching and in the different research and extension programs. Professors are well-trained and hold Master’s and Doctorate degrees from world recognized universities and institutions. It has high-quality laboratories, equipment, infrastructure and tools to complement both theoretical and practical classes. Non-governmental institutions, private enterprises, forest areas, biological stations and others contribute to field work.