Handbook home
Forest Systems (FRST30001)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
At a global scale forests are managed by societies in a wide range of ways for goods and services that reflect the needs of people and their aspirations for the environment. Forests are viewed and valued by society in many different ways, often in competition with each other, adding significant challenges to those that are entrusted to manage them. Forest Systems explores the complexity of managing the forests of Australia and around the world through case studies and real world scenarios that will help students develop a strong appreciation of the challenges and opportunities presented to those looking after forests and the stakeholders who value them. Starting with gaining an understanding of what a forest is, how it is valued and by whom, as well as how it grows, the complexity of its management is explored through the themes of water, fire, carbon, biodiversity, conservation, recreation and climate change. Field trips to explore first hand challenges faced by forest managers as well as interviews with industry partners will bring a real life context to the learning and build problem solving and decision making skills through practice. Field investigations culminate in two day overnight excursion to the Creswick campus where students will work on a major project exploring a local forest issue and make recommendations on how to proceed.
Intended learning outcomes
At the completion of this subject, students will understand:
- What constitutes a forest , how they differ and how they grow;
- What are the different social contexts for valuing forests and their uses;
- The complexity of the challenges faced in managing forest values and how often they are in competition with each other.
- The scope and limitations of how knowledge from a scientific and social context is integrated into decision making process for forest values.
- The potential impacts of climate change on forest systems and their ecosystem services.
- The scope of current debates in forest ecosystem management.
Generic skills
- Ability to execute library database searches to source relevant literature on key topic areas;
- Ability to comprehend and articulate current debates in forest science and forestry;
- Plant identification, forest assessment and measurement;
- Field skills, especially an ability to collect and organise forest data;
- Data analysis and interpretation skills, informed by the relevant literature;
- Participation in group field and research activities;
- Software skills for data collation and analysis, and reporting and presentation of results (e.g. Excel, Minitab, Word, PowerPoint).
Last updated: 11 October 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Background in plant ecology and/or development is strongly recommended, with students normally expected to have completed one or more level-2 subjects relating to these subject areas. Some background knowledge in areas relating to soil, fire, water, conservation, climate change, landscape management, environmental decision making/risk assessment and social perceptions of landscapes would also be an advantage. Interested students should contact the coordinator for advice.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
This course requires all students to actively and safely participate in field excursions and laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Student Equity and Disability Support.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 11 October 2023
Assessment
Additional details
- Creation of ‘flyer’ based on interview undertaken in practical class time of up to 200 words, due in Week 5 [10%]
- Preparation of letter based on case study as part of a full day excursion of up to 400 words, due in Week 8 [10%]
- Group oral presentation based on case study as part of full day excursion of up to 5 minutes, due in Week 10 [10%]
- Preparation of a written report based on field activities undertaken during the two-day overnight excursion of up to 1300 words, due in Week 12 [30%]
- Participation in online weekly class discussions based on content covered in lectures of up to 400 words, due Weekly [10%]
- Written assignment based on extended answer questions of up to 1500 words undertaken during the examination period, due in the examination period [30%]
Last updated: 11 October 2023
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Antanas Spokevicius Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 60 hours, comprising 10 x 2-hour lectures for 10 weeks; 4 x 2-hour practical classes in weeks 1-4; 2 x full-day excursions week 5 and 8; 1 x two-day overnight excursion during the mid-semester recess. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2018 to 27 May 2018 Last self-enrol date 9 March 2018 Census date 31 March 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 4 May 2018 Assessment period ends 22 June 2018 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 11 October 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Subject notes
Students maybe be asked to contribute to, travel, and food expenses while in the field.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Ecosystem Science Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG. Major Landscape Ecosystem Management Major Environmental Science - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 11 October 2023