Institute of Land and Food Resources : Guide to courses 21. Bachelor of Forestry

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21. Bachelor of Forestry
    21.1. Course objectives
    21.2. Career opportunities
    21.3. Course outline
    21.4. Elective subjects

21. Bachelor of Forestry

The first and fourth years of this course are offered at the Parkville campus, and the second and third years are at the Creswick campus. The course takes four years of full-time study to complete.

The Bachelor of Forestry degree aims to cover most aspects of the biology and use of forests, including forest management and conservation, soils, flora and fauna, and tree physiology. Students study the science of growing and managing forests to sustain and manage water, wildlife, recreational opportunities, wood and forest products for the community.

Such an education requires a comprehensive understanding of the biology of forest ecosystems, as well as an understanding of economics, engineering, politics of forest use, wood science and sociology.

Students do practical laboratory and fieldwork throughout the course. Excursions are arranged to provide opportunities to supplement, by personal observation, knowledge gained in lectures and practical work. Sometimes they take place during vacations.

Students must also complete a total of 16 weeks forestry work experience with approved organisations during vacations. The subject 202-001 Industry Placement is a hurdle requirement for the degree.

21.1. Course objectives

Students who have completed this course will have acquired:

• an understanding of forest biology, diversity and ecosystems;

• an understanding of the structures underlying Australian forest management and conservation and the principal factors that determine the environmental impact, sustainability, profitability and international cost-competitiveness of forestry;

• essential factual knowledge and an understanding of the principles appropriate to each stage of the educational process;

• the capacity to apply scientific knowledge to the definition, analysis and solution of problems in forestry, forest conservation, forest industry and related environmental issues;

• an ability to design and conduct scientific enquiries;

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

• an understanding of principles of sound practice in relation to health, safety, ethical issues, and the environment in forestry and forest industries;

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

• a capacity and motivation for continuing independent learning;

• an understanding of the rights, privileges and responsibilities conferred with the degree and with membership of professional associations and learned societies.

21.2. Career opportunities

Graduates are well suited to a wide range of occupations relating to the management of forest estates and the environment. Most forest estates cover several hundred thousand hectares and the management of such large scale enterprises draws continually on training in forest biology (including ecology, genetics and physiology), hydrology, engineering, remote sensing and economics. Some forestry graduates are employed by government authorities, sometimes with the state forest services but also with land care, national parks, wildlife, water supply and country fire authorities as well as environmental management and planning agencies. There are also many opportunities for employment in private forestry. Traditionally this has been in the larger firms in the wood-based industry, especially in resource planning, timber and harvesting management, reforestation and wood technology. However, increasingly graduates are being employed in private and non-governmental conservation efforts in many parts of the world.

Graduates of the BFor course and combined degrees are eligible to become members of the Institute of Foresters of Australia, and can gain accreditation as Registered Foresters.

21.3. Course outline

*Electives can be selected from the following list or from approved subjects from other courses:

21.4. Elective subjects

Insufficient enrolments may lead to an elective subject being suspended.

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