Forestry  (FOS1)

Managed forests, and the ecosystem services they provide, are an essential component of a sustainable world. The BAgrSc Forestry programme is designed for students who wish to become forest scientists or leaders in the forestry profession, or who wish to develop a career in related disciplines such as natural resource management, land-use planning and the timber processing industry, in Ireland and abroad. We value scientific rigour and independent thinking, and therefore we encourage our students to be active learners, developing a critical and scientific approach to forestry and its related disciplines. As forestry is an multi-disciplinary science and practice, students need to be able to integrate knowledge from a wide range of subjects, such as basic sciences and applied sciences, forestry and ICT. We provide a learning environment that will encourage students to develop a holistic, scientific view of forestry, making connections between all components of the programme, based on research-informed teaching and learning. The programme is based on core and elective modules and is designed around a mixture of lectures, tutorials, practicals, presentations, field trips, work placements, case studies and projects, often employing multiple learning approaches in combination to optimise the learning environment. The elective modules allow students to deepen their knowledge of a particular area or to widen their understanding of subject(s) outside the core areas. In the later stages of the programme, the emphasis is on preparing students for entry into the forestry profession or to start a scientific career, using individual field studies and projects that reflect the activities and responsibilities of university-educated professional foresters and scientists, such as professional forestry practice, work placements, a forest establishment project, multi-criteria forest inventories, a forest management plan and a scientific research project. All these make use of modern ICT, such as remote sensing, geographical information systems, electronic mensuration equipment and computerised decision support systems. 

1 - Understand the role of forests in providing ecosystem goods and services, such as timber, recreation, biodiversity, habitat and climate change mitigation, within the legal, social, policy and regulatory environment in which forestry operates
2 - Identify the forest tree and plant species occurring in Irish natural and planted forests; propose optimal silvicultural strategies based on site conditions; and assess these strategies on their the sustainability impacts
3 - Understand the linkages between the species, the site, the silvicultural and management systems used, and the resulting ecosystem goods and services, especially the quality and quantity of timber produced
4 - Carry out multi-resource forest inventories using computerised and electronic data collection, storage and analysis equipment and software
5 - Evaluate and devise environmentally appropriate remedies for forest areas following disturbances/destruction as a result of fire/pest/disease outbreaks or severe weather events
6 - Understand and assess the full range of health, welfare & safety issues associated with work in a forest environment, including harvesting operations; and evaluate forest machinery and systems and carry out sustainable operations planning
7 - Devise scientific investigations relevant to all aspects of forestry; apply appropriate research methodologies using a range of field/laboratory/office equipment in an efficient and safe way, and interpret findings
8 - Use a range of communication techniques to interact effectively with all relevant stakeholders

As a forestry student you will learn how to manage forests in environmentally sound ways. You will also understand how the different components of a forest; the trees, soils, water, climate and wildlife, interact with each other and are affected by human requirements.

Currently 9% of Irish land is under forestry and the objective of the State is to increase this to 17% by 2030.

The objectives of this degree are to:

• Equip you with the education and skills to enable you to provide leadership within the forestry profession
• Help you develop an overall view of forests with regards to their ecological, economic, socio-cultural, environmental and utilisation functions
• Provide you with the scientific basis for the balanced management of the forest resource that is consistent with the principle of sustainability
• Help you develop the ability to think analytically and provide you with the knowledge necessary for professional decision-making in forestry and related disciplines
• Equip you with skills in the areas of computer applications, information technology, communications and professional development

This four-year programme combines biological, management and utilisation modules. Stage 1 includes a full range of core science subjects as well as an introduction to forestry.

You will go on to develop the applied sciences you need as well as developing your forestry skills through modules in silviculture (growing trees) and forest biometrics.

You will gain a greater understanding of forest ecosystems. In addition, forest establishment, protection and management form the basis of the forest utilisation component of the programme. Familiarisation with a wide range of computer techniques forms another important aspect of the programme.

Concluding stages place considerable emphasis on individual and group projects, and these form the major component of our marks towards your degree, rather than a final examination.

Opportunities to travel abroad present in third year - forestry students have studied for a trimester in universities across the United States including:

• Michigan State University, USA
• Purdue University, USA
• University of Vermont, USA

During Work Experience, students have travelled to Iceland, Germany, and the United States.

Forestry graduates find employment in all areas of the sector, including:

• State and semi-state agencies
• Forest management and consultancy
• Wood processing and renewable energy
• Environmental agencies
• Education and research
• Forestry contractors

Many graduates set up their own forestry businesses. Other opportunities include information technology, land-use planning and financial services.

Research to Master’s and PhD levels is available.

Marie Doyle
e: mdoyle@ucd.ie

UCD Agriculture & Food Science School Office
Agriculture & Food Science Centre
Belfield, Dublin 4

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Stage 1

In addition to the 50 credits of core and option modules, students must take elective credits amounting to 10 credits.

Stage 2

In addition to the 55 credits of core modules, students must gain an additional five credits by choosing one of the option modules listed or by taking an elective credit.

Stage 3

In addition to the 50 credits of core modules, students must take an additional 10 credits, by choosing one or both of the option modules listed or by taking elective credits.

A period of Professional Work Experience is mandatory and must be undertaken in Stage 3.

Stage 4

In addition to the 50 credits of core modules, students must take an additional 10 credits, by either

1) Taking elective credits totalling 10 credits

2) Taking a combination of one the option modules listed and an elective credit to make up 10 credits in total

See the UCD Assessment website for further details

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