University
University of CanterburyBachelor of Forestry Science
This course is available
On-Campus
Level of Study
Bachelor's Degree
Duration
4 years
Next start date
Expected Jul 2026
Campus
Main Campus
Summary
The BForSc is a professional degree that prepares graduates for managing forest resources by combining core science courses with management, commerce, and technology.
Forestry Science graduates are highly sought after by employers and follow exciting and rewarding career paths.
Course Subjects- FORE111 Trees, Forests and the Environment
- FORE131 Trees in the Landscape
- FORE137 Wood-based Bioeconomy
- FORE141 Forest Growth and Measurements
- FORE151 Commercial Aspects of Forestry
- BIOL112 Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
- STAT101 Statistics 1
- One 100-level elective course chosen from any degree at UC
- FORE200 BForSc Practical Requirements (0-point course)
- FORE203 Soils and Site Quality
- FORE205 Introduction to Forest Engineering
- FORE215 Introduction to Forest Economics
- FORE219 Introduction to Silviculture
- FORE223 Wood Science
- FORE224 Regression Modelling
- FORE225 Forest Biology
- FORE242 Geospatial Science and Forest Monitoring and Management
- FORE316 Forest Management
- FORE323 Wood Processing
- FORE325 Forest Ecology and Invasion Biology
- FORE331 Plantation Silviculture
- FORE422 Forest Harvest Planning
- 30 points of elective Forestry Science courses chosen from the below Elective list, or 15 points from any 200, 300, or 400-level course at UC and 15 points from the Forestry Science Elective list below
- FORE419 Management Case Study
- FORE449 Environmental Forestry
- Five elective Forestry Science courses chosen from the below Elective list
- FORE423 Forest Transportation and Road Design
- FORE426 Forest Products Marketing and International Trade
- FORE435 Forest Economics 2
- FORE436 Forest Tree Breeding
- FORE437 Advanced Wood Products Processing
- FORE443 Biosecurity Risk Management
- FORE448 Advanced Remote Sensing in Forestry and Natural resource Management
- FORE475 Independent Course of Study (subject to approval from the Head of Department)
Entry criteria
To enrol in the degree, you will need:
- University Entrance (or equivalent). UC offers transition programmes for those who need help meeting these requirements.
- If English is not your first language, you are also required to meet UC's Undergraduate language requirements. See how to provide your English language evidence to UC. If you need help meeting these requirements, or would like to practise your English skills before studying, UC offers English for Academic Purposes (EAP) language programmes.
For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Forestry Science or use the admission requirements checker.
See Admission and enrolment for all information on enrolling at UC.
Recommended preparationThe BForSc is open to everyone who gains entry to the University. It is recommended that you take NCEA Level 3 biology and maths (including statistics and probability) or the IB/Cambridge equivalent.
If you have not studied Year 13 statistics, you should consider enrolling in a Headstart preparatory course over summer.
Fast-track optionYou may be able to fast-track your degree and be exempt from some first-year courses or gain direct entry to the second year if you have excellent NCEA Level 3 results (or equivalent study) in relevant subjects.
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