The Ph.D. in Forestry symbolizes the mastery of a special field of learning and indicates the ability of the recipient to independently complete original research and the highest levels of scholarly work. The recipient must demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the specialized field by successful completion of a prescribed course of study, planning and conducting original research, preparation and defense of a well written dissertation, and passing qualifying and final examinations. Ph.D. in Forestry is a research degree awarded in recognition of the student's ability to think and work independently as a scholar and to contribute to society by conducting original research in a chosen field of natural resource management.