Print Syllabus

Syllabus

SV0016 Forestry in Central Sweden, 7.5 Credits

Skogsbruk i Mellansverige

Subjects

Forestry Science Biology

Education cycle

Bachelor’s level

Advanced study in the main field

First cycle, has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Bachelor’s level (G1F)

Grading scale

Language

English

Prior knowledge

General entry requirements for first-cycle studies, and 15 credits in forestry science and 15 credits in biology. In addition, English B or equivalent is required. As the language of instruction is English, the Swedish language general entry requirement may not apply.

Objectives

The aim of this course is to give the student an understanding of the different conditions for forestry that exist in Central Sweden.

After completing the course, the student should be able to

• identify common species in central Swedish forests, account for their ecology, use basic methods for species identification, and perform simpler site classification

• summarize regional variation in biotic and abiotic conditions, including forests close to mountains, and how these conditions affect sustainable timber-oriented forestry in Central Sweden

• summarize different ecosystems, functional structures, and processes that occur in watercourses of the central Swedish forest landscape, and explain how forestry can be conducted with adaptation to catchment areas

• use concepts and basic principles of forest management, forest inventorying, and forest planning, and have practiced skills to perform these concepts and basic principles

• show understanding of the ecological, economic, and social opportunities and challenges for forestry in Central Sweden

• propose solutions to challenges in current and future sustainable forestry in Central Sweden.

Content

The course aims to give the student the opportunity to practice practical forestry skills and to gain insight into the conditions of central Swedish forestry. The knowledge is obtained through excursions and a number of practical exercises such as identification of species, site classification, and collection of forest data for calculation of site productivity and as a basis for planning.

The course includes trips and excursions within Central Sweden, for example to research parks, production forests, nature conservation areas, montane forests, and reindeer grazing areas. The topics covered during these excursions include forest management, vegetation ecology, nature conservation, non-industrial forest values (e.g. reindeer grazing), forest ownership, etc.

The course focuses on practical knowledge and skills that are important for employment in the forest sector, including species identification, site classification, forest inventorying, regeneration assessment, forest management planning, and forest operations planning. The course involves a variety of experts, forest industry professionals, teachers, and researchers.

The course’s focus on applied knowledge, together with the many activities where knowledge is transformed into practical action, means that the course contains compulsory parts in the form of travel, field exercises, and excursions. The scope of compulsory elements is described on the course website and at the start of the course.

The Forestry science content is divided into sub-areas as follows.

• 2 credits Objectives, planning and policy

• 4 credits Natural processes

• 1,5 credits Work processes.

Grading form

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Formats and requirements for examination

Approved assignments (individual and/or group), and approved participation in compulsory parts.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Additional information

SLU’s School of Forest Management is responsible for the course with the Department of Ecology as a cooperating department. The course uses the School of Forest Management’s teaching infrastructure in Skinnskatteberg including the Water Laboratory.



The study trip is associated with costs for travel and accommodation; further information is given via the course website.



Accommodation for course participants is available for cost price on, and in direct proximity to, campus during the four weeks that the course participants are in Skinnskatteberg. The first course week involves travelling and we stay in hostels in Dalarna and Härjedalen.



SLU is environmentally certified according to ISO 14001. A large part of our courses cover knowledge and skills that contribute positively to the environment. To further strengthen this, we have specific environmental goals for the education. Students are welcome to suggest actions regarding the course’s content and implementation that lead to improvements for the environment. For more information, see webpage www.slu.se.

Responsible department

School for Forest Management

Cooperating departments: