南十字星大學

Our precious forests must be understood and managed to balance the need for timber production, biodiversity conservation, water quality protection, carbon storage and other issues.

As well as offering expertise in an industry that drives economic success in many countries, this program explores the challenges facing our forests through climate change, land management and resource strategies.

With a focus on environmental science, you can translate your ideas about the future of forestry into a research topic that will aid understanding of this essential and yet challenging field. Our world-renowned experts will support you all the way.

Graduates will have career opportunities related to plantation and natural forest management in Australia and internationally.

Major areas of study

The course structure is flexible to accommodate students who are interested in operational forestry or those who wish to pursue a research career.

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 undertake fieldwork in eucalypt forests, rainforests, plantation forests and on farms.

Students enrolled in the Masters course can also undertake a minor thesis, research project, or pilot study, and choose from a range of elective units including financial, strategic and project management. Of 16 units required for the degree, only four are required core units. The remainder can be chosen by the student in coordination with the course coordinator.

Career opportunities

A postgraduate qualification in forest management may lead to career opportunities in plantation and natural forest management. Graduates typically seek career advancement in forest management, carbon sequestration, integrated tree cropping and farm forestry, national parks and protected area management, environmental impact assessment and monitoring and environmental education and interpretation.

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, management of native forests, fire fighting, land use and parks management, mine site rehabilitation, plantation management and forestry restoration.