南十字星大学

If a career in recreation, conservation or resource management in a vital global industry interests you, then you should consider this unique degree.

Forestry industries are enormously dynamic and are often key to the success of developing economies. This degree focuses on implementing environmentally-sound practices across a variety of forest environments world-wide.

The Bachelor of Forest Science and Management not only equips you with foundational scientific knowledge in forest systems, it prepares you with the know-how to find solutions.

You will learn to use contemporary applications in geographic and environmental mapping approaches and information analysis, and study subjects from ecology to policy models, agroforestry to chemistry and more. You will gain hands-on practical skills and experience in the field in a range of native and plantation forest environments.

Major area of study

The course is distinctive for providing graduates with a strong foundation in forest science and incorporates field-based practicums and interactive tutorials. It also focuses on the business aspects of industrial forest management, while acknowledging the importance of alternatives such as small-scale farm forestry, mixed-species plantations and managed private native forests.

The course places an emphasis on field work and includes many trips to native and planted forest types. These provide an opportunity for students to learn key skills in forest science, in evaluating vegetation and planning management options. The NSW Northern Rivers region offers a variety of accessible subtropical environments close to the Lismore campus.

Forestry students have the opportunity to specialise in small or large-scale plantations, restoration forestry, provision of environmental services, wood utilisation, forest inventory and planning, and international forestry.

Career opportunities

In field forestry in plantation establishment and management; use of geographic information systems; natural resource management and environmental planning; native forest management, fire prevention and control; forest resource assessment; policy development; pest and disease management; agroforestry and farm forestry advisory services; forest growth modelling and yield prediction; protected area management; international forestry focused on developing countries, reserve management; and forestry research.

Changes in the industry drive a continuing demand for degree-qualified foresters able to work in production, conservation and restoration forestry. Native forests continue to be important sources of high-value wood and require managers in public forest agencies and national parks where the focus is on fire management, weed and feral animal control and other important issues.