Bachelor of Forest Science/Bachelor of Science

Course 887-AC (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008. Search for this in the current handbook

Year and Campus: 2008
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Undergraduate

Contact

Dr Peter Ades, Course Co-ordinator, School of Forest and Ecosystem Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville. Phone: +61 3 8344 5036, Email: petera@unimelb.edu.au Ms Louisa King, Undergraduate Officer, Faculty of Land and Food Resources, The University of Melbourne, Parkville. Phone: +61 3 8344 6390, Email: kingl@unimelb.edu.au
Course Overview:

This course is being phased out. There have been no new enrolments into this course since 2007. The information for this course is for continuing students who are completing this course.

This combined degree takes five years of full-time study - the first three years at Parkville campus, the fourth at Creswick campus. The fifth year can be at Creswick or Parkville depending on subject and project choice.

The course enables students to combine specialist forest science subjects with a wide range of science subjects including genetics, biochemistry, earth science, botany, environmental scinece and cell biology.

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 in forest ecosystem management. Similarly, biotechnology in the BSc course provides an excellent complement to BForSc students for those pursuing careers in tree breeding.

Objectives:

Students who have completed this course should have acquired:

  • a broad knowledge of science across a range of disciplines, with a higher level of understanding in one or more of these disciplines;

  • an appreciation of the historical background and evolution of scientific concepts;

  • an understanding of the biology and diversity of forest and woodland ecosystems, and the history, values and uses of forests and forest trees;

  • an appreciation of the principles and practices of forest management and conservation;

  • an understanding of the environmental impact, sustainability, social impact, profitability and international cost-competitiveness of forestry and forest-related businesses;

  • an appreciation of principles of sound practice in relation to health, safety and ethics in relation to forest management and forest industries;

  • when solving scientific problems, the ability to apply appropriate knowledge and access relevant information, an understanding of the principles of project and experimental design, a capacity to apply practical skills and technology, and an ability to communicate the results of their studies in both written and oral form;

  • the knowledge, skill and attitude to enable adaptation to scientific, technological and social change, a sense of intellectual curiosity, a desire for lifelong learning, and a capacity to be creative and innovative;

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

Subject Options: BACHELOR OF FOREST SCIENCE AND BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Students in the BForSc/BSc combined degree:

  1. Must achieve a minimum of 500 credit points, made up of 237.5 science points and 262.5 points from the Bachelor of Forest Science. Science points must include between 75 and 125 science points at 100 level, 50 science points of a prescribed science major at 300 level, and 25 points towards Honours Research Project.
  2. Must pass all core subjects defined for the forest science component of the degree, and select electives from the approved elective list for this degree in the University Course and Subject Catalogue or as approved by the course coordinator.
  3. Must meet the defined work experience requirements.
  4. Are awarded Honours in Forest Science if an Honours Score of at least 65% is attained.

FIRST YEAR - Parkville campus

The majority of first year subjects will still be on offer in 2008 however in some circumstances subjects will no longer be available and an alternative will need to be chosen. Students should refer to the 2007 Undergraduate Handbook for first year subject details and consult with either the course co-ordinator or their undergraduate student administrative officer.

SECOND YEAR - Parkville campus

Core subjects in BForSc

Two BSc subjects in Semester 1. One BSc subject in Semester 2

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50

THIRD YEAR - Parkville campus

Core subjects in BForSc

Semester 1: 4 x BSc subjects

Semester 2: - 2 x BSc subjects and 2 x BForSc subjects (see below)

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

FOURTH YEAR - Creswick campus

202-306 Industry Project (year-long) may be replaced by 202-312 Industry Project (Semester 1 or Semester 2)
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50

FIFTH YEAR - Parkville or Creswick campus

Core subjects

220-406 International Forest Policy or one elective

220-403 Forest Planning and Business Management and one elective

202-401 Honours Research Project (year-long) may be replaced by 202-403 Honours Research Project (mid year entry)

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
62.50
Elective subjects
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50
Entry Requirements:

This course is being phased out. There have been no new enrolments into this course since 2007. The information for this course is for continuing students who are completing this course.

Entry into undergraduate degrees is usually via applications through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). Full details regarding the VTAC application process may be found on the VTAC website or by purchasing the VTAC Guide from newsagencies.

Core Participation Requirements: It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. This course requires all students to enrol in subjects where they must actively and safely contribute to field excursions and laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Disability Liaison Unit (8344 7068 or DLU-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au).
Further Study:

After successfully completing the program, students will be prepared to either enter the workforce pursuing a career, or enrol for further research study through applying for a masters or doctor of philosophy degree.

Graduate Attributes: Graduates will be expected to: have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment
Generic Skills:

Generic skills acquired:

  • a profound respect for truth, intellectual and professional integrity, and the ethics of scholarship
  • an ability to derive, interpret and analyse ecological, biological, social, technical or economic information from primary sources
  • an ability to integrate information across a broad range of disciplines to solve problems in applied situations
  • highly developed written communication skills to allow informed dialogue with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
  • highly developed oral communication skills to allow informed dialogue and liaison with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
  • an ability to participate effectively as part of a team

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