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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
    Distance education 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

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.

Graduate AttributeCourse Learning Outcome
Intellectual rigour

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.

Creativity

Demonstrate imagination, initiative and enterprise 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 disciplinary 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.

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.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Lismore Session 1 , Session 2 334102 054021
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

  1. 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 (384 credit points) comprising:
    1. all units listed in Part A;
    2. seven (7) units from Part B, or other approved units
  2. A candidate who, while enrolled for the Bachelor of Forest Science and Management:
    1. has successfully completed eight (8) 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
    2. 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.

Entry requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

Language requirements

  1. 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 (384 credit points) comprising:
    1. all units listed in Part A;
    2. seven (7) units from Part B, or other approved units
  2. A candidate who, while enrolled for the Bachelor of Forest Science and Management:
    1. has successfully completed eight (8) 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
    2. 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.

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 Part B Part B
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 Part B Part B
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 Part B Part B
Year 4, Session 2
ENV10656 -  Extension and Professional Practice in Natural Resource Management Advanced Note 1
Choose 3 elective units from Part BPart B

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 Part B
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 Part B
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 Part B
Year 5, Session 1
FOR00110 -  Natural Resources Policy Intermediate
Choose 3 Electives from Part B

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

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

Part B

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
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