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Bachelor of Forest Science and Management

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    View in availability

  • Duration

    4 years full-time; 8 years part-time

  • Location

    View in availability
    Online students attend compulsory residential workshops at Lismore campus  

  • Placements

    NA

  • Course abbreviation

    BForScMgt

  • Course code

    3004101

  • Credit points

    384

  • Equivalent units

    32

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

If a career in recreation, conservation or resource management in a vital global industry interests you, then you should consider this unique degree.

Forestry industries are enormously dynamic and are often key to the success of developing economies. This degree focuses on implementing environmentally-sound practices across a variety of forest environments world-wide.

The Bachelor of Forest Science and Management not only equips you with foundational scientific knowledge in forest systems, it prepares you with the know-how to find solutions. 

You will learn to use contemporary applications in geographic and environmental mapping approaches and information analysis, and study subjects from ecology to policy models, agroforestry to chemistry and more. You will gain hands-on practical skills and experience in the field in a range of native and plantation forest environments.

Course Learning Outcome

Demonstrate skills of critical analysis and application of scientific methods in forest science and management. Make decisions and exercise informed judgement in relation to native forest, plantation and agroforestry science and management.

Demonstrate imagination, initiative and enterprise in problem-solving. Respond creatively to intellectual, professional, environmental and social challenges.

Evaluate issues with reference to sound ethical frameworks and sustainability. Demonstrate well-developed judgement on principles of social justice and professional standards.

Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of forest science and management. Apply disciplinary knowledge and skills in professional and community settings. Demonstrate knowledge in several sub-disciplines.

Demonstrate cognitive and technical skills in self-managed learning. Critically reflect on practice. Demonstrate information literacy skills.

Communicate clearly and coherently knowledge and ideas in forest science and management contexts. Collaborate effectively with academic, operational and technical workers.

Demonstrate awareness and respect for cultural diversity and the relationship between people and the environment.

Students complete 16 weeks of practical workplace experience during in a forestry-related area including plantation and forested regions across Australia. Students are assisted by work experience coordinator to find paid and/or volunteer work placements that complement their studies. 

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.

The course places an emphasis on field work and includes 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 NSW Northern Rivers region offers a variety of accessible subtropical environments close to the Lismore campus.

Forestry students 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.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Lismore Session 1 , Session 2 N/A N/A
Online Session 1 , Session 2 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

Graduates are eligible for membership of the Institute of Foresters of Australia.

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Forest Science and Management students must complete 16 weeks approved work experience and 384 credit points, comprising:

  • all core units, and
  • 84 credit points in elective units.

Exit Awards

Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Environmental Science after completing 96 credit points, comprising 8 core first-year units, with no more than 48 credit points awarded as advanced standing.

Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Environmental Science after completing 192 credit points comprising 8 core units and 8 elective units with no more than 96 credit points awarded as advanced standing.

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Year 1, Session 1
BIO00201 -  Biology Introductory Note 1
BIO10187 -  Global Environmental Issues Introductory Note 1
SUR00201 -  Environmental Mapping Introductory Note 1
GLY00201 -  Earth Systems I: The Lithosphere Introductory Note 1
Year 1, Session 2
CHE00201 -  Chemistry Introductory Note 1
BIO00202 -  Ecology Introductory Note 1
MAT00211 -  Environmental Information Analysis Introductory
ENS00203 -  Earth Systems II: The Hydrosphere Introductory Note 1
Year 2, Session 1
BIO00213 -  Plant Identification and Conservation Intermediate Note 1
FOR00102 -  Measuring Trees and Forests Intermediate Note 1
FOR00103 -  Native Forest Silviculture Intermediate Note 1, Note 3
Choose 1 Elective from Elective units
Year 2, Session 2
FOR00100 -  Fire Ecology and Management Intermediate Note 1, Note 3
FOR00101 -  Plant Physiology and Ecology Intermediate Note 1, Note 3
FOR00105 -  Plantation Silviculture Intermediate Note 1, Note 2
Choose 1 Elective from Elective units
Year 3, Session 1
AGR00214 -  Soil Processes Intermediate Note 1
ECO00202 -  Ecological and Environmental Economics for Sustainable Development Intermediate
FOR00107 -  Forest Health: Pest and Disease Management Intermediate Note 1, Note 2
FOR00104 -  Forest Operations Intermediate Note 1, Note 3
Year 3, Session 2
AGT00217 -  Land Degradation and Rehabilitation Advanced Note 1
FOR00106 -  Wood Science and Utilisation Intermediate Note 1, Note 3
FOR00108 -  Agroforestry and Farm Forestry Intermediate Note 1, Note 2
GLY00223 -  Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Intermediate Note 1
Year 4, Session 1
FOR00109 -  Forest Modelling and Management Advanced Note 3
FOR00110 -  Natural Resources Policy Intermediate
Choose 2 elective units from Elective units
Year 4, Session 2
ENV10656 -  Extension and Professional Practice in Natural Resource Management Advanced Note 1
Choose 3 elective units from Elective units

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Year 1, Session 2
CHE00201 -  Chemistry Introductory Note 1
BIO00202 -  Ecology Introductory Note 1
MAT00211 -  Environmental Information Analysis Introductory
ENS00203 -  Earth Systems II: The Hydrosphere Introductory Note 1
Year 2, Session 1
BIO00201 -  Biology Introductory Note 1
BIO10187 -  Global Environmental Issues Introductory
SUR00201 -  Environmental Mapping Introductory Note 1
GLY00201 -  Earth Systems I: The Lithosphere Introductory Note 1
Year 2, Session 2
FOR00100 -  Fire Ecology and Management Intermediate Note 1, Note 3
FOR00101 -  Plant Physiology and Ecology Intermediate Note 1, Note 3
GLY00223 -  Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Intermediate Note 1
Please 1 Elective unit from Elective units
Year 3, Session 1
BIO00213 -  Plant Identification and Conservation Intermediate Note 1
FOR00102 -  Measuring Trees and Forests Intermediate Note 1
FOR00107 -  Forest Health: Pest and Disease Management Intermediate Note 1, Note 2
AGR00214 -  Soil Processes Intermediate Note 1
Year 3, Session 2
AGT00217 -  Land Degradation and Rehabilitation Advanced Note 1
FOR00105 -  Plantation Silviculture Intermediate Note 1
FOR00108 -  Agroforestry and Farm Forestry Intermediate Note 1
Choose 1 Elective Unit from Elective units
Year 4, Session 1
FOR00109 -  Forest Modelling and Management Advanced Note 3
FOR00103 -  Native Forest Silviculture Intermediate Note 1
ECO00202 -  Ecological and Environmental Economics for Sustainable Development Intermediate
FOR00104 -  Forest Operations Intermediate Note 1, Note 3
Year 4, Session 2
FOR00106 -  Wood Science and Utilisation Intermediate Note 1, Note 3
ENV10656 -  Extension and Professional Practice in Natural Resource Management Advanced Note 1
Choose 2 Elective Units from Elective units
Year 5, Session 1
FOR00110 -  Natural Resources Policy Intermediate
Choose 3 Electives from Elective units

Note 1:

Compulsory Residential for External Students

Note 2:

This unit is available in ODD years e.g 2015 & 2017

Note 3:

This unit is available in EVEN years e.g 2016 & 2018

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes

Core units
AGR00214 Soil Processes Intermediate Note 1
AGT00217 Land Degradation and Rehabilitation Advanced Note 1
BIO00201 Biology Introductory Note 1
BIO00202 Ecology Introductory Note 1
BIO00213 Plant Identification and Conservation Intermediate Note 1
CHE00201 Chemistry Introductory Note 1
ECO00202 Ecological Economics for Sustainable Development Intermediate
ENS00203 Earth Systems II: The Hydrosphere Introductory Note 1
FOR00100 Fire Ecology and Management Intermediate Note 1, Note 3
FOR00101 Plant Physiology and Ecology Intermediate Note 1, Note 3
FOR00102 Measuring Trees and Forests Intermediate Note 1
FOR00103 Native Forest Silviculture Intermediate Note 1, Note 3
FOR00104 Forest Operations Intermediate Note 1, Note 3
FOR00105 Plantation Silviculture Intermediate Note 1, Note 2
FOR00106 Wood Science and Utilisation Intermediate Note 1, Note 3
FOR00107 Forest Health: Pest and Disease Management Intermediate Note 1, Note 2
FOR00108 Agroforestry and Farm Forestry Intermediate Note 1, Note 2
FOR00109 Forest Modelling and Management Advanced Note 3
FOR00110 Natural Resources Policy Intermediate
ENV10656 Extension and Professional Practice in Natural Resource Management Advanced Note 1
GLY00201 Earth Systems I: The Lithosphere Introductory Note 1
GLY00223 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Intermediate Note 1
MAT00211 Environmental Information Analysis Introductory
SUR00201 Environmental Mapping Introductory Note 1
BIO10187 Science and Global Challenges Introductory Note 1

Electives

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
Choose 7 electives, including a minimum of 3 advanced level elective units
ACC10707 Accounting and Finance for Business Introductory
AGR00215 Water and Catchment Management Advanced Note 1
BHS00130 Community Development Introductory
BIO00212 Wildlife Conservation Intermediate Note 1
BIO00244 Protected Area Management Advanced Note 1
ENV00207 Environmental Planning Intermediate
FOR00112 Product Development and Marketing Intermediate Note 1
HIS10018 Writing Place: Landscapes, Memory, History Intermediate
ISY01224 Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis Intermediate Note 1
LAW00214 Mediation and Dispute Resolution Introductory Note 1
MAT10251 Statistical Analysis Intermediate
MKT00106 Marketing Research Advanced
MNG00724 Human Resource Management Advanced
MNG10247 Managing Organisations Introductory
SOC73001 Caring for Country Advanced Note 1
EDU01290 Outdoor Education I Introductory