Faculty of Land and Food Resources : Guide to courses 22. Bachelor of Forest Science

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22. Bachelor of Forest Science
    22.1. Information for students commencing from 2005
        22.1.1. Course objectives
        22.1.2. Career opportunities
        22.1.3. Course outline
    22.2. Information for students commencing prior to 2005
    22.3. Course objectives
    22.4. Career opportunities
    22.5. Course outline
    22.6. Elective subjects

22. Bachelor of Forest Science

22.1. Information for students commencing from 2005

The first and second years of this course are offered at the Parkville campus, and the third at the Creswick campus.

Forest and woodland ecosystems cover about a fifth of Australia and are under increasing pressure with land degradation reducing forest area and complexity. Forests continue to be the focus of vigorous community debate including concern for the management of fire in forests, their role and significance in greenhouse gas mitigation, and the management of forests for threatened flora and fauna.

The Bachelor of Forest Science will provide graduates with the skills to manage Australia's forests and to articulate the complex concepts concerning forest management to the community. As a degree in forest ecology and management, the course comprehensively addresses the biology and use of forests, from soils, flora and fauna to tree physiology and water management. An understanding of the social and economic aspects of forest management is developed throughout the course.

Students do practical laboratory and field work, while excursions to forests in Victoria and other Australia states provide opportunities to supplement, by personal observation and informal discussion, knowledge gained in lectures.

Students also complete (during vacations) a total of 12 weeks work experience with approved organizations; this is coordinated by the Faculty and provides students with a unique learning opportunity as well as paid employment.

22.1.1. Course objectives

Students who complete this course should have acquired:

• an understanding of the biology and diversity of forest ecosystems;

• an understanding of Australian forest management and conservation;

• 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 forest 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.

22.1.2. Career opportunities

Graduates are in demand for a wide range of occupations relating to the management of forests and other natural resources. Forest estates cover large areas and their management relies on competence and training in forest biology, hydrology, engineering, remote sensing, soils, flora and fauna, and tree physiology. Forest science graduates are employed by government authorities including state forest services and fire management authorities, protected area management agencies involved with wildlife and water supply, planning agencies dealing with environmental management, and increasingly across a wide spectrum of private forestry enterprises. Graduates also find employment in private and non-government conservation efforts in many parts of the world. As graduates qualify for professional accreditation they may work in a wide variety of ecosystems and land management agencies globally.

22.1.3. Course outline

22.2. Information for students commencing prior to 2005

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 Forest Science degree aims to cover 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.

22.3. Course objectives

Students who have completed this course should 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; and

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

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

22.5. Course outline

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

22.6. Elective subjects

Insufficient enrolments may lead to an elective subject being suspended.

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