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The Master of Forest Science and Management is a postgraduate qualification in plantation and natural forest management. Concerns about climate change, carbon sequestration and environment-friendly building materials have rekindled the demand for professional forest managers. Worldwide, forest management is becoming more intensive, with many forest products traded internationally as commodities. As a result, forest management agencies now require foresters with enhanced skills in strategic planning and management, which are both features of this course.
The Graduate Diploma of Forest Science and Management is also available as an entry point and is suited to graduates with a background in general or environmental sciences who wish to seek careers in government forest services, fire fighting, land use, plantation and parks management, mine site rehabilitation and restoration forestry. 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.
A postgraduate qualification in forest management may lead to career opportunities in plantation and natural forest management. Graduates typically seek career advancement within the following fields:
Masters graduates qualify for automatic full membership of the Institute of Foresters of Australia.
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. Students enrolled in the Masters course can also select to undertake a minor thesis, research project, or pilot study, and choose from a range of elective units including financial, strategic and project management.
To qualify for the Master of Forest Science and Management a total 16 units (192 credit points) must be completed.
This course offers intermediate awards (early exit points) at Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate levels.
Please note that some units may not be available at each location and some may be available by distance education. Unit availabilities are published for each study period and vary from year to year. Please contact the School for further information.
For course rules and a full list of units, please refer to the Specific Award Rules below.
| Locations | ||
| Distance Education | Unavailable | |
| Lismore | Session 1 Session 2 |
|
| Coffs Harbour | Unavailable | |
| Gold Coast Southern Cross Drive, Bilinga |
Unavailable | |
| Course Duration | 2 years full-time; 4 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: |
| Master — 16 Grad Dip — 8 Grad Cert — 4 |
MForSc&Mgt GradDipForSc&Mgt GradCertForSc&Mgt |
N/A |
| UAC Course Code | QTAC Course Code | CRICOS Course Code |
| N/A | N/A | 068266A — Lismore |
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.
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 varies for each unit and 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.
Southern Cross University 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).
Direct Applications
The following applications to study can be made online, directly to SCU:
Online applications for the Master of Forest Science and Management involve four key steps:
Once registered you can exit and return to your application at any time.
International Applicants
Please refer to the International Office website.
At Southern Cross University, your previous study or work experience may help you cut time off your degree.
We recommend that you apply for advance standing at the same time as you apply for admission into this course, because the amount and type of credit awarded will determine your study plan.
For more details and how to apply please visit the Advanced Standing website.
Candidates who have completed the Graduate Diploma of Forestry may be granted advanced standing up to a total of four units.
Bachelor of Forest Science and Management
Bachelor of Forest Science and Management with Honours
Graduate Diploma of Forest Science and Management
Master of Environmental Science and Management
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 Requirements for an AwardCandidates for the Master of Forest Science and Management who have completed all the requirements for a relevant four (4) year undergraduate award in forestry or natural resource management may be granted advanced standing for up to eight (8) units.
* Subject to the approval of the Course Coordinator.
# Double-weighted unit.