Bachelor of Forest Science

From 2008 this course will be phased out. (Last intake in 2007.)

The first and second years of this course are offered at the Parkville campus, and the third at the Creswick campus. Prior to 2005 this course was called Bachelor of Forestry.

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, conservation 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 16 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.

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 data;
• 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.

Second Year (Parkville)

Electives: 654-207 Australian Wildlife Biology or 654-204 Ecology: Individual and Populations or 625-101 Earth Sciences - The Global Environment

Third Year (Creswick)

Summer subject: 220-301 Forestry Field Camp.

Year-long subjects: 202-004 Industry Placement and 202-306 Industry Project. 202-306 Industry Project (25 points, year-long) may be replaced by 202-313 Industry Project (25 points, Semester 1 or Semester 2).

Students may wish to continue their undergraduate studies and undertake an Honours year. These honours programs 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. Most students study full time and commence in February

Honours Degree requirements:

Students will be selected into the honours program on the basis of their performance in all 300-level subjects. Course planning will take into account the preferred progression path and any prerequisites required in that progression.

The honours course comprises coursework and a research project. The coursework subjects consist of core subjects, and electives to be selected essentially from 400-level subjects offered by the Faculty of Land and Food Resources and other faculties of the University. 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. Students may select two 300-level subjects 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.

The Faculty offers excellent opportunites for students to pursue postgraduate studies in the fields of forestry, natural resource management, urban horticulture, wood science and forest ecosystem science. Programs available include Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, Masters (by coursework), Masters (by research) and Doctoral degrees.

Graduates will be expected to:

• have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship
• have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s)
• reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication
• be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies
• accept social and civic responsibilities
• be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment
• examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines
• initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces

This course encompasses particular generic skills. On completion of the course students should have:

• A profound respect for truth, intellectual and professional integrity, and the ethics of scholarship
• Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning and research
• 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 and groups from industry, government and the community