Forest Systems (FRST30001)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
About this subject
Contact information
February
Dr Antanas Spokevicius
Overview
| Availability | February |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
At a global scale forests are valued and 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. Combining biophysical understandings of forest ecosystems with the social context in which they exist, Forest Systems explores the complexity of Forest management and will provide students with a deep appreciation of the challenges and opportunities associated with taking care of the worlds’ forests in a sustainable way. The subject will be taught across 9 weeks including the first eight weeks of semester 1 and a pre-teaching week prior to commencement of semester 1. Starting with a 4-day field trip in the pre-teaching week (WEEK 1), students will immerse themselves directly in forests by visiting a range of sites and exploring several case studies and real-world scenarios to gain perspective and insights that they will draw on during subsequent semester activities. Through the first 8 weeks of semester (WEEKS 2 - 9), students will explore four themes where they will learn how science has shaped our understanding of what sustainable forest management is, how forest grow, develop and are utilised, the role fire in shaping forest ecosystems and how societal attitudes and values impact on the provision of forest ecosystem goods and services. Assessment tasks will link directly to each theme where students will be expected to critically analyse and communicate their understandings in a contextualised way while also reflecting on the activities and discussions undertaken during workshops.
Intended learning outcomes
At the completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the key scientific principles that underpin sustainable forest management practices and translate how they can be used in a practical context.
- Explain key biophysical processes relating to forest growth and dynamics and examine how management practices can be used to achieve specific objectives.
- Describe fire behaviour and its role in shaping forest ecosystems and explain how this can be and is used in the management of forests and their values within the landscapes they exist.
- Investigate the role of societal systems in shaping forests ecosystems and demonstrate how our understanding of these systems can be used in influencing environmental and social outcomes of forests.
Generic skills
In addition to learning specific skills that will assist students in their future careers in science, they will have the opportunity to develop generic skills that will assist them in any future career path. These include;
- Critical analysis and thinking;
- Group work;
- Written and oral communication;
- Research.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Recommended background knowledge:
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRST20014 | Forests in a Global Context | No longer available |
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENST20001 | Human Behaviour and Environment | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRST20015 | Fire in the Australian Landscape | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
February
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
One ongoing assignment, consisting of four parts; approximately 2,400 words (600 words each part); each part due one week after the completion of a topic (Weeks 4, 6, 8, 10); 60% (15% each part)
| Throughout the teaching period | 60% |
Eight pre-workshop activities; 800 words equivalent (100 words each); due prior to each workshop (Weeks 2-9); 20% (2.5% per activity)
| Throughout the teaching period | 20% |
One final written integrative assignment; 800 words equivalent; due three weeks after completion of teaching (Week 12); 20%
| Week 12 | 20% |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- February
Principal coordinator Antanas Spokevicius Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total of 48 contact hours: 8 x 2-hour workshops (Weeks 2-9), 1 x 4-day field trip (Week 1), 8 x 1-hour online lectures (Weeks 2-9), 8 x 1-hour pre-workshop activities (Weeks 2-9). Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 20 February 2023 to 7 May 2023 Last self-enrol date 7 March 2023 Census date 17 March 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 21 April 2023 Assessment period ends 28 May 2023 February contact information
Dr Antanas Spokevicius
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Ecosystem Management and Conservation Course Bachelor of Science Major Environmental Science Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Landscape Ecosystem Management Major Ecosystem 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
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
Last updated: 31 January 2024