Bachelor of Forest Science and Management

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

The Bachelor of Forest Science and Management is a degree that not only equips you with foundational scientific knowledge in environmental systems, it prepares you with the know how to find solutions for the well-being of people around the world.

You will learn how to use high tech 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.

Forestry industries are enormously dynamic and are often key to the success of developing economies. This degree focuses on preparing graduates to implement environmentally sound practices across a variety of forest environments worldwide.

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.

Professional Recognition

Graduates are eligible for membership of the Institute of Foresters of Australia.

Professional Placement

Students complete 16 weeks of practical work experience during in a forestry-related area including plantation and forested regions across Australia. Students are assisted by work experience coordinator to find paid and/or volunteer work placements that complement their studies.

Major Areas 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.

Assessment methods

Assessments vary for each unit and may comprise a mix of assessment types, including laboratory and readings-based assignments, seminar presentations, field and investigation reports, and formal practical and written examinations.

Teaching methods

This course places an emphasis on field work and many trips to native and planted forest types. Most lectures and tutorials are taught via online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.

The course includes compulsory residential teaching periods at Lismore, which include lab and field work that all students must attend. These occur in the middle of sessions 1 and 2.

Please note: Online students must attend the compulsory residential workshops at Lismore.

Facts, figures, rankings and awards

Southern Cross University is a progressive, young and connected regional research university, with vibrant campuses in northern New South Wales and the southern Gold Coast. We offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and many are available in a dynamic online form. Whether studying on-campus, online, or both, we deliver exciting, contemporary and high-quality learning experiences.

Why SCU?

Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 20Bold, progressive and just 23 years of age – Southern Cross University is one of the Asia-Pacific’s Top 100 Universities and one of the world’s Top 50 Generation Y Universities .

Our contemporary campuses, with purpose-built state-of-the-art facilities, are located on the east coast of Australia, at the Gold Coast in Queensland, and in Lismore and Coffs Harbour in New South Wales. All are unique regions renowned for their natural beauty and ecological diversity, providing living laboratories for learning and creative hubs for artistic endeavour.

Branch campuses in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth are operated in collaboration with EduCo on behalf of Southern Cross University. The University also operates The Hotel School Sydney and Melbourne in partnership with Mulpha Australia. We also deliver degrees with collaborators in China, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.

We have a large and diverse range of courses available online, offering interactive and immersive learning experiences wherever our students are.

Whether studying on-campus, online, or both, we deliver exciting, contemporary and high-quality learning experiences.

We aim to produce graduates who are career ready, world ready and digitally literate, and who experience an academic environment distinctive for its personal approach.

The University has a strong focus on industry and community collaboration to produce engaged teaching and research outcomes.

This connectivity is seeing Southern Cross University lead the $13.8m national Farming Together Pilot Program, partnering with the Northern Rivers Co-operatives Alliance and the Australian Government. The University has also introduced an important new Centre for Organics Research with the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

In the latest Excellence in Research for Australia report, Southern Cross achieved outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 24 research fields. In nine research fields, the University was evaluated at the highest possible classification of 'well above world standard'. This was achieved in the fields of Geochemistry, Oceanography, Environmental Science and Management, Zoology, Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Crop and Pasture Production, Forestry Sciences, Nursing, Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Campuses

Southern Cross University is a vibrant, contemporary Australian university with beautiful campuses on the Gold Coast, Lismore and Coffs Harbour.

Sydney, Melbourne and Perth branch campuses (International students)

Southern Cross University's branch campuses at Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth are conveniently located in the central business districts.

Studying at SCU Sydney, Melbourne or Perth gives international students the opportunity to complete undergraduate or postgraduate degrees in three of the world's most liveable cities. Southern Cross University collaborates with EduCo Sydney Branch Pty Ltd for the operation of the SCU Sydney, Melbourne and Perth branch campuses.