FOR30340 Professional Forestry Practice

Academic Year 2022/2023

This module is comprised of three distinct components that will enhance undergraduate forestry students’ professionalism.
One component addresses issues surrounding presentation and communication and includes details on the presentation of technical, scientific and operational information, in an appropriate format, using the correct scientific and professional terminology and level of detail.
A second component comprises input from a number of professional foresters who are employed in a wide variety of roles within the forest sector. Their input will help to familiarise the students with the structure of the Irish forestry sector and the relevance of good communication and professional conduct.
The final component is dendrology. This segment is designed to enhance students’ familiarity with the tree species found in Irish forestry. It will build on the introductory elements of dendrology covered in the Stage 1 module 'Trees and Forests in Ireland'.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Recognise the significance of the correct use of technical and scientific terminology.
2. Determine the appropriate format and level of detail required in reporting on a wide range of professional forestry practices.
3. Produce scientific, technical and operational forestry reports, such as those containing information on site descriptions, silvicultural prescriptions, inventory results, management plans and research findings.
4. Make a presentation, based on technical and/or scientific information.
5. Communicate on the various roles within the Irish forest sector and the relevance of clear communication and professionalism.
6. Identify a range of tree genera and tree species, including those native to Ireland and those in use in commercial forestry.
7. Critique their personal input and evaluate their performance in a team-based setting.
8. Explain some of the key issues affecting forestry currently.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

36

Specified Learning Activities

40

Autonomous Student Learning

42

Total

118

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
1. Active/task-based learning
2. Lectures
3. Critical writing
4. Student presentations 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Elective for Stage 3 and 4 Forestry students.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Group Project: The students to organise a seminar Week 7 n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

30

Examination: Dendrology exam Week 12 No Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

20

Essay: Report on guest speakers Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

25

Project: Written Projects & Presentation Unspecified n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

25


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Ongoing verbal and written feedback on small written assignments; grades on other assignments and individual feedback offered if the students request it; feedback on presentations - asked to contribute their own comments as well as class discussion and mod coordinator feedback.