Course summary
Forest management is a science concerned with the nature of forest ecosystems and best management of these systems – not only for timber but for biodiversity conservation, protection of catchments, storage of carbon and other essential functions.
The Bachelor of Forest Science and Management has been designed in consultation with a range of forestry stakeholders to meet a shortage of degree-qualified foresters.
Forestry graduates develop skills and an understanding of the multi-faceted aspects of sustainable resource management. They have the opportunity to specialise in small or large-scale plantations, restoration forestry, provision of environmental services, wood utilisation, forest inventory and planning, and international forestry.
Changes in the industry drive a continuing demand for degree-qualified foresters able to work in production, conservation and restoration forestry. Native forests continue to be important sources of high-value wood and require managers in public forest agencies and national parks where the focus is on fire management, weed and feral animal control and other important issues.
The course places an emphasis on field work and many trips to native and planted forest types. These provide an opportunity for students to learn key skills in forest science, in evaluating vegetation and planning management options. The Northern Rivers region offers a variety of accessible subtropical environments close to the Lismore campus.
Most lectures and tutorials are taught via online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The course includes compulsory residential teaching periods at Lismore campus that all students must attend.
The course is distinctive for providing graduates with a strong foundation in forest science and incorporates field-based practicums and interactive tutorials. It also focuses on the business aspects of industrial forest management, while acknowledging the importance of alternatives such as small-scale farm forestry, mixed-species plantations and managed private native forests.
| Graduate Attribute | Course Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| Intellectual rigour | Demonstrate skills of critical analysis and application of scientific methods in forest science and management. Make decosions and exercise informed judgement in relation to native forest, plantation and agroforestry science and management. |
| Creativity | Demonstrate imagination, initiative and eneterprise in problem-solving. Respond creatively to intellectual, professional, environmental and social challenges. |
| Ethical practice | Evaluate issues with reference to sound ethical frameworks and sustainability. Demonstrate well-developed judgement on principles of social justice and professional standards. |
| Knowledge of a discipline | Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of forest science and management. Apply disciplineary knowledge and skills in professional and community settings. Demonstrate knowledge in several sub-disciplines. |
| Lifelong learning | Demonstrate cognitive and technical skills in self-managed learning. Critically reflect on practice. Demonstrate information literacy skills. |
| Communication and social skills | Communicate clearly and coherently knowledge and ideas in forest science and management contexts. Collaborate effectively with academic, operational and technical workers. |
| Cultural competence | Demonstrate awareness and respect for cultural diversity and the relationship between people and the environment. |
Students complete 16 weeks of practical workplace experience in a forestry-related area during their studies including in plantation and forested regions across Australia. Many students have found paid work experience through trainee positions with public or private forestry agencies.
Course overview
Course code
3004101
Course abbreviation
BForScMgt
Credit points
384
Equivalent units
32
Domestic duration
4 years full-time; 8 years part-time
International duration
4 years full-time
Course requirements
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
-
To be eligible for the award of the Bachelor of Forest Science and Management degree a candidate shall successfully complete 16 weeks approved work experience and not less than thirty-two (32) units comprising:
- all units listed in Part A of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules;
- six (6) units from Part B of the Schedule, or other approved units.
-
A candidate who, while enrolled for the Bachelor of Forest Science and Management:
- has successfully completed eight (8) units from Part A of the Schedule of Units, with no more than four (4) units as advanced standing may elect to be awarded the Diploma of Environmental Science following withdrawal from candidature for the Bachelor Degree; or
- has successfully completed the requirements for the Associate Degree of Environmental Science may elect to be awarded the Associate Degree of Environmental Science following withdrawal from candidature from the Bachelor Degree.
Schedule of units
Course progressions
Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 1 | |||
| BIO00201 - Biology | Introductory | ||
| ISY00241 - Environmental Information Management | Introductory | ||
| GLY00201 - Earth Systems I: The Lithosphere | Introductory | ||
| BIO10187 - Global Environmental Issues | Introductory | ||
| Year 1, Session 2 | |||
| ENS00203 - Earth Systems II: The Hydrosphere | Introductory | ||
| CHE00201 - Chemistry | Introductory | ||
| BIO00202 - Ecology | Introductory | ||
| MAT00211 - Environmental Information Analysis | Introductory | ||
| Year 2, Session 1 | |||
| BIO00213 - Plant Identification and Conservation | Intermediate | ||
| FOR00102 - Measuring Trees and Forests | Intermediate | ||
| FOR00103 - Native Forest Silviculture | Intermediate | ||
| SUR00201 - Environmental Mapping | Introductory | ||
| Year 2, Session 2 | |||
| FOR00100 - Fire Ecology and Management | Intermediate | ||
| FOR00101 - Plant Physiology and Ecology | Intermediate | ||
| FOR00105 - Plantation Silviculture | Intermediate | ||
| 1 unit from: (Part B) | |||
| Year 3, Session 1 | |||
| AGR00214 - Soil Processes | Intermediate | ||
| ECO00202 - Ecological and Environmental Economics for Sustainable Development | Intermediate | ||
| FOR00107 - Forest Health: Pest and Disease Management | Intermediate | ||
| FOR00104 - Forest Operations | Intermediate | ||
| Year 3, Session 2 | |||
| AGT00217 - Land Degradation and Rehabilitation | Advanced | ||
| FOR00106 - Wood Science and Utilisation | Intermediate | ||
| FOR00108 - Agroforestry and Farm Forestry | Intermediate | ||
| GLY00223 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | Intermediate | ||
| Year 4, Session 1 | |||
| FOR00109 - Forest Modelling and Management | Advanced | ||
| FOR00110 - Natural Resources Policy | Intermediate | ||
| 2 units from: (Part B) | |||
| Year 4, Session 2 | |||
| ENV10656 - Extension and Professional Practice in Natural Resource Management | Advanced | ||
| 3 units from: (Part B) | |||
Notes
| Note 1: | Mt Gambier students only will replace BIO10187 Global Environmental Issues with FOR10176 Introduction to Sustainable Forestry. |
Unit groups
Part B
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACC10707 - Accounting and Finance for Business | Introductory | ||
| AGR00215 - Water and Catchment Management | Advanced | ||
| BHS00130 - Community Development | Introductory | ||
| BIO00212 - Wildlife Conservation | Intermediate | ||
| BIO00244 - Protected Area Management | Advanced | ||
| ENV00207 - Environmental Planning | Intermediate | ||
| FOR00112 - Product Development and Marketing | Intermediate | ||
| HIS10018 - Writing Place: Landscapes, Memory, History | Intermediate | ||
| IST00451 - Independent Study - Science I | Advanced | ||
| ISY01224 - Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00214 - Mediation and Dispute Resolution | Introductory | ||
| MAT10251 - Statistical Analysis | Intermediate | ||
| MKT00106 - Marketing Research | Advanced | ||
| MNG00724 - Human Resource Management | Advanced | ||
| MNG10247 - Managing Organisations | Introductory | ||
| SOY00419 - Caring for Kuntri: Indigenous Environmental Management | Advanced | ||
| EDU01290 - Outdoor Education I | Introductory |