Institute of Land and Food Resources : Guide to courses

16. Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Forest Science

Table of Contents

 16. Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Forest Science

The combined BSc/BForSc course is intended to offer an increased choice of subjects and an opportunity for students to specialise in discipline areas of interest to them or to diversify their education.

While students will have the option to pursue any science discipline for which they have the prerequisites, the environmental science major within the BSc course may provide an excellent complement to BForSc studies that will enable students both to broaden and deepen their studies as a preparation for careers that relate more to the environmental aspects of forest and park management, such as ecosystem management or environmental pollution management. Similarly, biotechnology in the BSc course provides an excellent complement to BForSc students for those pursuing careers in tree breeding.

 16.1. Course objectives

The Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Forest Science course has as its objectives that graduates:

• can demonstrate a broad knowledge of fundamental scientific precepts across a range of disciplines, with a higher level of achievement in one or more of the biological, chemical, earth, mathematical and physical sciences;

• understand the structures of Australian forest industries and the principal factors that determine location, environmental impact, sustainability, profitability and international cost-competitiveness;

• can relate the scientific knowledge gained to the technical and vocational aspects of the student's chosen discipline(s);

• can organise knowledge and ideas systematically, discriminate among relevant data, and generalise safely;

• can demonstrate skills in problem definition and solution, in decision-making and in program design and implementation;

• can design and conduct scientific enquiries, both on an individual basis and as part of a team through application of scientific method and hypothesis testing;

• can demonstrate initiative and the interpersonal skills necessary for the conduct of such enquiries;

• have essential skills in the acquisition and interpretation of forestry data;

• understand principles of sound practice in relation to health, safety, animal welfare and the environment in forestry and the forest industries;

• have a capacity for the exchange, acquisition and dissemination of scientific and industry information and for technology transfer;

• have a capacity and motivation for continuing independent learning;

• can demonstrate leadership skills and an ability to interact effectively with professional colleagues, individuals and the general community;

• understand and are eligible to accept the rights, privileges and responsibilities of membership of learned societies and professional associates.

 16.2. Course requirements

Students enrolled in the BSc/BForSc must complete at least 500 points. Within the 500 points, students must ensure that they complete both the BSc requirements and the BForSc requirements.

 16.2.1. Science Requirements

A minimum of 237.5 Science points is required which must include:

• between 75 and 125 science points at the 100-level;

• completion of 50 points of a prescribed science major at the 300-level.

Note that:

• There are no specific requirements at the 200-level.

• Science points are awarded for the vast majority of the subjects that are listed in the Science section of the Handbook. Exceptions include: some of the subjects offered by the Department of Information Systems; and the Physics, Earth Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics and Statistics subjects taught exclusively to students enrolled in courses other than the BSc.

• Students are able to undertake science subjects for which they have satisfied the prerequisites. Note, however that:

  • A quota applies to some science subjects as demand for the subject is greater than the number of places available. Selection into quota subjects is largely determined by academic performance in science subjects (refer to the Quota subject entry in the Faculty of Science entry for further details).

  • For information about Science majors refer to Majors & Co-majors in the Faculty of Science entry.

  • The Forestry component may require the completion of specific science subjects.

• The Faculty of Science offers a Bachelor of Science (Honours) program. It involves advanced research and coursework and results in the award of an Honours qualification. Refer to the Faculty of Science section of the Handbook for more information.

 16.2.2. Forestry Requirements

• First year of the BForSc except that the first semester subject 211-108 Conservation of Australian Forests may be replaced by a science subject.

• Second and third year as for the single BForSc degree (see Bachelor of Forest Science).

  These years are undertaken at the School of Forestry, Creswick. However, they need not necessarily occur in the second and third years of the combined course, but could be taken in the third and fourth years of the combined course.

  Various subjects in the second and third years of the course at Creswick contain a degree of common material which may rule out enrolment in certain science subjects in later years of the combined course.

• At least 50 points from 400-level BForSc subjects including 212-416 Resource Economics and Management, 211-442 Forestry Work Experience (no points), and one other subject from 211-448, 211-401, 211-441, 211-444 and 211-440.

• The BForSc(Hons) is based on results in 300 and 400 level subjects but Project in Forest Science 1 or 2 must be included in the 400 level enrolment to be eligible for Honours.

 16.2.3. Special Notes

• Credit towards the BForSc degree will not be granted for any subject listed in the Faculty of Science Handbook which is an elective in the BForSc degree. Individual exceptions to this requirement will need the approval of both faculties.

• Students cannot receive credit for both 654-308 Conservation Biology and 211-446 Conservation Biology. Students completing 654-308 Conservation Biology will receive Science credit, whereas students completing 211-446 Conservation Biology will receive Forestry credit.

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