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Bachelor of Forestry Science

University of Canterbury
Christchurch , New Zealand
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Program Details
Degree
Bachelors
Major
Forestry
Area of study
Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries | Natural Science
Course Language
English
About Program

Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of Forestry Science

The Bachelor of Forestry Science degree offers exciting opportunities to study in a range of disciplines, including science, commerce, engineering, and sociology. This management-oriented degree requires students to study a combination of these subjects, providing a strong foundation for a career in forestry.


Degree Structure

The degree is structured to provide students with a broad competence in forestry, allowing them to work in any field in forestry and other areas of land resource management. The first year is mainly concerned with the basic sciences that underpin all thinking on forest management and resource utilization. In subsequent years, this basic knowledge is applied to the forest situation.


First Year

  • The first year includes one free elective.
  • Students take required courses in basic sciences, such as biology and statistics.

Subsequent Years

  • In subsequent years, students apply their basic knowledge to the forest situation.
  • Students may take one elective course from any Faculty schedule in both 1st Year and 2nd Year, plus up to 30 points in electives across their 3rd and 4th Year from another Faculty schedule with the approval of the Head of School.

Entry Criteria and Transferring from Other Courses

Bachelor of Forestry Science

  • There is no restriction on the numbers entering degree studies.
  • There are no course entry requirements, but biology and statistics are useful.

Year 1 Entry

  • Entry to Year 1 at UC is normally from Year 13 (NCEA Level 3).

Year 2 Entry

  • Direct entry to Year 2 may be from:
    • Other suitable first-year courses at UC or elsewhere at other New Zealand universities.
    • A completed NZ Certificate in Science with suitable subjects.
    • Year 13: in the case of students with very high Scholarship/NCEA credits in suitable subjects.

Year 3 Entry

  • Direct Entry to Year 3 may be from a completed BSc or other degrees with passes in suitable subjects.
  • Students with a completed NZ National Diploma in Forestry qualification may be granted a special course of study in recognition of their previous training.

Application Process

Intending students should follow the UC application and enrolment process and pre-enrol for the subjects shown below.


Field Trips and Practical Courses

Field trips and practical courses are an integral and compulsory part of the forestry degree, and attendance and participation in all field trips are required before the degree can be awarded.


Field Trips

  • Final confirmation of venues and dates will be provided at the commencement of lectures in 1st Semester.
  • Incoming First Year students will be advised of their field trip date by direct email as soon as offers of place are sent in mid-January.

First Aid Training

All students are required to present a current First Aid Certificate during their study.


Vacation Employment

As part of the degree, all students are required to gain 90 days practical work experience in forestry, conservation, or the forest industry during summer vacations.


Associated Programmes

Conjoint Degree Programmes

For those students with a desire to combine studies in Forestry with studies in Commerce or Science, a concurrent degree programme is possible.


Forestry as Part of Commerce and Engineering Degrees

It is possible to complete a BCom degree with a substantial number of Forestry courses in three years in the areas of accountancy, finance, marketing, strategic management, and production management.


Scholarships and Funding

Scholarships and prizes available to all UC students are listed on the UC Scholarships database.


Industry Scholarships Available to Forestry Undergraduate Students

  • WIDE Trust Undergraduate Scholarships and WIDE Trust Tertiary Scholarships: WIDE Trust funds a large number of scholarships every year for students enrolled in Forestry Science and Forest Engineering.
  • Kaingaroa Timberlands Kaitiaki o te Ngahere Scholarship: Timberlands, on behalf of Kaingaroa Timberlands, wants to encourage students to take up study towards a qualification in the forestry industry.

Careers and Skill Development

The Bachelor of Forestry Science degree programme is designed to produce graduates with a strong understanding of key areas fundamental to forestry, including forest management and economics, silviculture, ecology, biometry, wood and wood products, geospatial technologies, soil sciences, and forest engineering/operations.


Forestry in New Zealand

It is an exciting time to be working in Forestry and related industries, with the annual harvest of plantation pine taking a permanent step change from about 20 million cubic meters to 40 million cubic meters over the next 20 years.


Where Do Forestry Students Go?

Our graduates enter every aspect of forestry and resource management, and probably a few others that would surprise you. Graduates can find themselves working for Forestry Consulting companies, forestry management companies, regional, environmental or local councils, Government departments, and forestry businesses overseas.


Exchange Programmes

Our students have an opportunity to go on exchange programmes to North America to study forestry at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and Virginia Polytech and State University, in Blacksburg, Virginia, USA.


Fees and Funding

The exchanges are available to School of Forestry third-year students who will enrol at UC and complete course work at either UC or the North American university, or one semester at each.


Course Work

Exchange students typically stay in North America for six months to a year and take a combination of required papers and electives that complement the BForSc.


North American Schools and Employment

The two schools, Virginia Polytech and State University (Virginia Tech) and UBC, are both strong world-class, forestry schools with excellent programmes of study.


Conclusion

The Bachelor of Forestry Science degree at the University of Canterbury provides students with a comprehensive education in forestry, preparing them for a wide range of career opportunities in the forestry industry. With its strong focus on practical skills, research, and international exchange programmes, this degree is an excellent choice for students looking to pursue a career in forestry.


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