Faculty of Land and Food Resources : Guide to courses
23. Bachelor of Forest Science (Honours)

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23. Bachelor of Forest Science (Honours)
    23.1. Course Description
    23.2. Admission requirements
    23.3. Duration and commencement
    23.4. Course structure
    23.5. Honours research project
    23.6. Assessment
    23.7. Course outline

23. Bachelor of Forest Science (Honours)

23.1. Course Description

The Bachelor of Forest Science (Honours) comprises advanced coursework and an individual research project designed to extend students' knowledge and skills in solving problems. After successfully completing the program, students will be prepared to either:

enter the workforce pursuing a career in forest science and related environmental management industries; or to

pursue further research study through Masters or Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

23.2. Admission requirements

To be eligible for consideration for entry into honours, applicants must have:

achieved an average of 65 in the third year (300-level) subjects of their Bachelor of Forest Science degree; or

completed an equivalent qualification to the Bachelor of Forest Science degree, this qualification being recognised by the Faculty, at a level of academic performance equivalent to that required in the point above.

23.3. Duration and commencement

This honours program can be undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis. The program can commence either in February or July. February commencement concludes in November. July commencement concludes in June of the following year.

23.4. Course structure

The honours course is comprised of coursework (four subjects, 50 per cent) and a research project (50 per cent). The four coursework subjects consist of two core subjects (220-406 International Forest Policy and 220-403 Forest Planning and Business Management), and two electives to be selected from approved 300- and 400-level subjects offered by the Faculty of Land and Food Resources. They will enable students to gain sufficient familiarity with the fields relevant to their research project. Up to two subjects not appearing on the recommended list can be taken for credit, subject to course coordinator approval. Applicants to the program will need to demonstrate the completion of appropriate prerequisite subjects in their undergraduate courses when selecting coursework subjects. Students will also be expected to participate in research discussion groups and to attend Faculty research seminars.

23.5. Honours research project

Students select an Honours Research Project (202-401) from a list formulated by supervisors through the Honours Research Project subject coordinator at each campus. Project proposals detailing the experimental plan and a literature review will be presented before the Honours Panel for discussion and approval prior to commencing experimental work. Students will be required to present seminars on both their project proposal and the outcomes of their research. The expected length of the thesis (including references) is normally limited to 20 000 words.

23.6. Assessment

Assessment of subjects constituting the coursework component of the program will be conducted as stipulated in the subject outlines published in the University Handbook. The overall grade for the honours year will be a weighted average (by credit points) of results achieved in the subjects making up the coursework and the mark obtained for the research/industry project during their honours course. In order to be awarded the honours qualification, students must pass every subject and obtain a minimum weighted average mark of 65 per cent.

Honours is awarded at 4 levels dependent upon calculated Honours score: H3 (65-69%), H2B (70-74%), H2A (75-79%) and H1 (80% and above). Honours is not awarded for calculated Honours scores less than 65%.

23.7. Course outline

Fourth year (Honours). Students can be located at Parkville or Creswick campuses depending on project and elective choice.

Semester 1, 2 or Year-long		Points
	202-401 Honours Research Project	50
	202-401 Honours Research Project (50 points, year-long) may be replaced by 202-402 Honours Research Project (50 points, Semester 1 or Semester 2) or 202-403 Honours Research Project (50 points, mid-year entry).
	Sub total	50

Semester 1
	220-406 International Forest Policy	12.5
	220-401 Conservation Biology of Treed Landscapes	12.5
	or
	207-410 Agroforestry	12.5
	or
	207-414 Social Research Methods	12.5
	or
	202-302 Human Resource Management	12.5
	Sub total	25.0

Semester 2
	220-403 Forest Planning and Business Management	12.5
	220-402 Wood and Timber Products	12.5
	or
	220-407 Parks and Recreation	12.5
	or
	207-413 Community Natural Resource Management	12.5
	or
	207-339 Hydrology and Catchment Management	12.5
	Note: Students must take one of 220-401 Conservation of Treed Landscapes, and 202-402 Wood and Timber Products.
	Sub total	25.0

Elective subjects
	Students may be able to choose up to two subjects from the following 300-level subjects:
	220-307 Fire Ecology and Management	12.5
	220-309 Forest Management and Access Systems	12.5
	220-311 Forest Values, Landscapes and Society	12.5
	220-317 Applied Native Forest Ecology	12.5
	220-323 Plantations and Farm Forests	12.5
	220-331 Forest Health and Restoration	12.5
	220-334 Trees, Genes and Environment	12.5
Total Points		100.0