Graduate Diploma of Forest Science and ManagementInformation for students commencing 2013

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About this Course

The Graduate Diploma of Forest Science and Management opens up a range of career opportunities in forest work. The course is suited to graduates with a background in general or environmental sciences who wish to seek careers in forest management.

The plantation estate in the country is twice what it was a decade ago. Large areas of native forest in Australia require management, albeit not exclusively for wood but for biodiversity conservation, catchment protection, fire management, carbon storage and other purposes.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are suited to employment in the following fields:

Eligible graduates can complete further study to attain the Master of Forest Science and Management. See Related Courses below.

Professional Recognition

Graduates of this degree are eligible for associate membership with the Institute of Foresters of Australia.

Major Areas of Study

Forestry units involve fieldwork in eucalypt forests, rainforests, plantations and on farms. The course provides targeted forest science and management education and training. It includes studies in natural resource management, measuring trees and forests, fire ecology and management, plant physiology and ecology, wood science, forest operations, silviculture, forest health and pest management.

Course Structure and Units (Subjects)

Important - Please contact the University for confirmation of the course structure prior to acting on this information. The University accepts no liability for any loss suffered by reason of reliance on this information.

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Forest Science and Management a total 8 units (96 credit points) must be completed.

This course offers intermediate awards (early exit points) at Graduate Certificate level.

For course rules and a full list of units, please refer to the Specific Award Rules below.

Course Summary

Locations
Distance Education Unavailable
Lismore Session 1
Session 2
Coffs Harbour Unavailable
Gold Coast
Southern Cross Drive, Bilinga
Unavailable
Course Duration 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
Fees and Charges Domestic fees
International fees
Additional fee information
School School of Environment, Science and Engineering
Admission, Enrolment and General Enquiries scu.edu.au/enquiries
Further Information T 61 2 6620 3650 E esm@scu.edu.au
Total Units: Award Abbreviation: 2013 ATAR equivalent/OP:
Grad Dip - 8
Grad Cert - 4
GradDipForSc&Mgt
GradCertForSc&Mgt
N/A
UAC Course Code QTAC Course Code CRICOS Course Code
N/A N/A 071788D — Lismore
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Teaching Methods

The majority of coursework units involve a lecture (two hours) and a laboratory session or tutorial (two-three hours) per week, for on-campus students. For units that are delivered by distance education, students are typically provided with a study guide, together with readings from relevant text books and journals.

Some units may be offered as intensive short courses to enable participation by professional foresters and may include formal lectures, tutorials, workshops, laboratory sessions and field trips for hands-on experience to put theory into practice.

Learning Resources

MySCU is a student’s point of entry to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. The portal includes unit learning sites and information sites where students can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to their studies.

The web-based program Blackboard Collaborate delivers advanced on-line learning environments for students and lecturers to communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces and classrooms. They can share files, presentations, and applications. If the session is recorded, students can view it afterwards.

Learning materials include the provision of unit information guides, study guides and books of readings. Students may need to purchase or access prescribed text books.

The SCU library provides a wide range of services including librarian assistance, print and electronic resources, a document delivery service, catalogues, databases, ebooks, ereadings, and full-text journal literature.

The Academic Skills Development team supports student learning by offering online and on-campus academic skills workshops, email, phone, and one-on-one support.

Fully-equipped specialist laboratories provide students with direct access to relevant technical support.

Assessment Methods

Assessment varies for each unit. It generally comprises a mix of assessment types, including laboratory- and readings-based assignments, seminar presentations, field and investigation reports, and formal practical and written examinations.

Equipment and Facilities

SCU provides students with modern well-equipped teaching spaces such as lecture theatres, classrooms, and studios or laboratories tailored to meet the needs of specific study disciplines. Contemporary audiovisual equipment is standard in most teaching venues, and students have access to computer labs for individual study purposes.

Forest Science students have access to fully-equipped scientific laboratories, including environmental analysis laboratories, a wood science laboratory and field forestry equipment, and geographic information systems (GIS).

How to Apply

Direct Applications

Apply Online

The following applications to study can be made online, directly to SCU:

Online applications for the Graduate Diploma of Forest Science and Management involve four key steps:

  1. Register your details to create an account or login to access your applications
  2. Select the exact course you want to apply for
  3. Answer the questions and submit documents
  4. Submit your application

Once registered you can exit and return to your application at any time.

International Applicants

Please refer to the International Office website.

International Applicants

Advanced Standing

Advanced standing is not granted in this course. Where a candidate's record demonstrates competence in one or more units in the course by virtue of undergraduate study, an approved alternate program of study will be negotiated with the Head of School. If you wish to apply for an alternative program of study you should contact the School of Environmental Science and Management directly on (02) 6620 3650. It is important to apply for an alternative program as early as possible in your studies as it may affect which units you need to enrol in.

Bachelor of Forest Science and Management
Bachelor of Forest Science and Management with Honours
Master of Forest Science and Management
Master of Environmental Science and Management

Specific Award Rules

Important - Please contact the University for confirmation of the course structure prior to acting on this information. The University accepts no liability for any loss suffered by reason of reliance on this information.

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

4.1 Admission to Candidature

Applicants for admission to candidature in the Graduate Diploma of Forest Science and Management shall be admitted if they:

  1. have satisfied the requirements of Rule 2 Section 3 Clause (20)a of the University’s Rules Relating to Awards; and
  2. have completed at least sixteen (16) weeks work experience in the forest industry; or
  3. hold qualifications, professional or otherwise, that in the opinion of the Head of School are equivalent to (a) and/or (b) above.
4.2 Requirements for an Award
  1. To be eligible for the award of Graduate Diploma of Forest Science and Management a candidate shall successfully complete not less than eight (8) units comprising:
    1. all units in Part A of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules; and
    2. four (4) units from Part B of the Schedule.
  2. A candidate who while enrolled for a Graduate Diploma of Forest Science and Management has successfully completed four (4) units comprising at least two (2) units from Part A and up to two (2) units from Part B of the Schedule of units may elect to be awarded the Graduate Certificate of Forest Science and Management following withdrawal from candidature for the Graduate Diploma Degree.
4.3 Advanced Standing

Advanced standing is not granted in this course. Where a candidate’s record demonstrates competence in one or more units in the course by virtue of undergraduate study, an approved alternate program of study will be negotiated with the Head of School.

Schedule of Units

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