Programme syllabus

Entry Requirements

To be admitted to the Master’s Programme Forest and Business Management, the following criteria must be met:

general entry requirements: first-cycle (Bachelor’s) qualification comprising a minimum 180 credits or equivalent degree from a higher education institution abroad;

specific entry requirements: a minimum of 90 credits in Business Administration

In addition, knowledge equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6 is required. This requirement is met by those holding a Degree of Bachelor (180 credits) from a Swedish higher education institution. There are specific rules for applicants from certain English-speaking countries.

The specific entry requirements stated above can also be met by someone who has obtained equivalent knowledge through a corresponding qualification from abroad, or in some other way.

There are specific entry requirements for each course included in the programme. These are described in the relevant course syllabus.

Content

Programme description

Bioeconomy aims to push national and international society towards more sustainable and circular economic development. This structural change involves the transition from fossil to biobased materials. To give rise to structural changes, corporate governing and approaches need reforming. The Master’s programme Forest and Business Management aims to teach what is necessary for a deepened understanding of the subject, contribute to and develop this change based on basic training in theories of Business Administration. The overall purpose of the programme is to provide in-depth knowledge and insight from the forest perspective against a backdrop of societal challenges faced by the transition to the future circular biobased economy. The forest sector spans from the cultivation of the biological raw material to the final product, including circular processes. The programme is based on the theories of Business Administration and has strong transdisciplinary access to specialisation in areas such as supply chain management, marketing, leadership and communication. Good skills in both the biobased and forest industries are required together with Business Administration in order to be able to work with sustainable solutions for the forest sector and other areas within the emerging bioeconomy where development and innovation for sustainable societies are the focus.

The programme is based on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary elements and has both an international and national focus. From a Business Administration perspective, students will gain in-depth knowledge of the forest sector and its products, processes and systems, and its role in bioeconomy and sustainable development. Students will also be given an insight into the entire forestry value chain, products and industries linked to forestry’s raw materials and how forest contributes to the development of a sustainable circular bioeconomy from different perspectives.

The programme intends to equip students with the ability to contribute to the development of a sustainable circular bioeconomy. Students learn how to integrate sustainability assessments into the development of the forest sector’s role in bioeconomy, and how to analyse, assess and manage conflicting goals in corporate and consumer contexts. Students train their ability to initiate, organise and lead processes for implementing sustainability, circularity and bioeconomy in the forestry sector. The programme’s courses are based on the most recent scientific developments that draw upon several subject fields, such as technology, sustainable development and Business Administration. Students will therefore develop analytical and critical approaches. Furthermore, students develop a good ability to create collaborations with various stakeholders, such as companies, public authorities, and organisations thanks to interactive course elements including case studies, external lectures, study visits and project tasks focusing on topical issues.

The programme is suitable for students with a background in business administration and who have a firm interest in specialising in the forest sector, sustainability and bioeconomy.

Programme content

During the first year, students take courses that provide a deeper insight into sustainable development, the circular bioeconomy and value chains in both the international and national forest sectors. These courses focus on providing:

• a systematic understanding of the forest sector and its role in the bioeconomy;
• detailed knowledge about the different refinement steps throughout the value chain, including the raw materials, processes and products drawing on theories of business administration;
• in-depth knowledge of the opportunities and obstacles related to sustainable development from a business administration perspective;
• the ability to develop a personal network and collaboration with the forest sector. 

During the second year, students can choose from a variety of advanced courses in business administration with two specialisations: leadership and marketing, or financing. There is a compulsory course in scientific methods. The programme concludes with a degree project in business administration.

In accordance with the SLU guidelines for equal opportunities, a well-functioning study environment is characterised by openness, equality and inclusiveness. This promotes a climate that draws upon the diverse backgrounds, lives, and skills of students and staff.

The programme is given in English

Programme courses

Main fields of study: Bioeconomy Management = BM, Forestry Science = SV, Business Administration = FÖ, Economics = NA

Course (main field of study, level)

Year 1
The global Forest Sector, 7,5 credits (BM/SV, A1N)
Resources, Economics and Markets, 7,5 credits (SV/NA, A1N)
Sustainable Marketing in the Biobased Sector, 15 credits (FÖ, A1N)
Wood Science and Technology, 15 credits (SV, A1N)
Operations Management of the Forest Supply Chain, 15 credits (BM, A1N)

Year 2 (preliminary)
Research Methods, 7,5 credits (FÖ, G1F)
International Forest Policy, 7,5 credits (SV, G1N)
Ethics in Organisations and Society, 7,5 credits (FÖ, G1F)
Leadership and Innovation, 15 credits (FÖ A1N)
Sustainability and Financial Reporting, 15 credits (FÖ, A1N)
Master's thesis in Business administration, 30 credits (FÖ, A2E)

The courses offered may change during the programme. This may result in a new version of the programme syllabus containing transitional provisions. Decisions on the courses offered are taken well in advance of the next academic year.

Each course on the programme has its own syllabus that describes the course content and other specifics. Information on when the courses are offered is available on the SLU student web.

During certain study periods (parts of a semester), SLU offers several programme courses from which the student can choose. Students are guaranteed a place on one of these courses, provided they meet the admission requirements and have applied before the deadline.

Objectives

General objectives

The general learning outcomes for first- and second-cycle courses and programmes are specified in the Higher Education Act (Chapter 1, Sections 8–9).

Objectives for a Degree of Master (120 credits)

In accordance with the annex to the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, for a Degree of Master (120 credits), the student shall have:

Knowledge and understanding

• demonstrated knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrated specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and skills

• demonstrated the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• demonstrated the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake specialised tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
• demonstrated the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to report clearly and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrated the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach

• demonstrated the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical considerations and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• demonstrated insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrated the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

Qualification Requirements

Degree awarded upon completion of the programme

The Master's (120 credits) programme Forest and Business Management leads to a degree of Master of Science (M.Sc.) with a major in Business Administration. A Degree of Master is a general qualification.

Students who fulfil the qualification requirements for a degree of Master (120 credits) in the main field of study will be issued a degree certificate on request. The degree certificate will specify the qualification as degree of Master of Science (M.Sc.) with a major in Business Administration.

The programme contains courses which, depending on choice of courses and combination with previous studies in forestry at first-cycle level at SLU, or following supplementary qualifications upon completion of the Master’s degree may enable students to fulfil the requirements for the professional qualification Degree of Master of Science in Forestry, 300 credits. The outcomes for a Degree of Master of Science in Forestry are stipulated in the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The requirements for a Degree of Master of Science in Forestry are defined in SLU’s system of qualifications.

Degree requirements

A Degree of Master of Science (M.Sc.) with a major in Business Administration is awarded to students who have successfully completed 120 credits, of which at least 90 credits are from second-cycle courses, from the required courses as follows:

• a minimum of 30 credits with Business Administration as the main field of study (A1N, A1F)
• a minimum of 30 credits from an independent project (degree project) with Business Adminstration as the main field of study (A2E).

Additionally, students must have successfully completed a Degree of Bachelor, a professional qualification comprising a minimum of 180 credits, or have an equivalent qualification from abroad.

The Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) may contain a maximum of 30 credits from first-cycle courses, provided these credits were not included in a Degree of Bachelor or its equivalent. All courses included in a degree must be at university level, have been successfully completed and may not overlap/have similar content.

OtherInformation

General regulations for first- and second-cycle courses and programmes

For more information on semester dates, examination, credit transfer and admission to the latter part of a programme, please refer to the Education Planning and Administration Handbook available on the SLU student web.

Possibilities for further study

Students who complete the Master’s programme Forest and Business Management and are awarded a degree have the opportunity to continue their studies within Business Administration at doctoral level.