BSc in Forestry
Course code: WD076
What is Forestry?
Forestry is the study of forests as a natural resource. Forests are an important part of the environment, provide timber and other products and are used for a wide range of recreation activities. The role of foresters is to manage forests so that people can benefit from this natural resource on a sustainable basis. Foresters may work with landowners in planting new forests, manage existing forests or work with sawmills in harvesting and supplying timber.
What is the BSc in Forestry course?
The BSc in Forestry is a three-year degree programme that prepares students for a professional career in Forest Management.
Career Opportunities
- Forest Estate Manager
- Forest Operations Contractor
- Forest Management Consultant
- Forest Nursery Management
- State Agencies
- Development Agencies
Fieldwork & Fieldtrips
Fieldwork and field trips are an essential element of the course. Typically, 25% to 50% of course scheduled hours consist of fieldwork elements. Fieldtrip locations include local forests, wood processing industries, JFK Arboretum, and annual overnight fieldtrips to Kerry, Wicklow and the Midlands and West. All students will undertake a company placement in the second semester of Year 2. In addition, work placements may be organised in other European countries.
Follow on study
Bsc (Hons) in Land Management - WIT
WIT Forestry also has transfer links with the Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree, University College Dublin; International Timber Trade and Tropical Forestry, Larenstein University of Professional Education; and Honours degrees in forestry at University of Central Lancashire, University of Aberdeen and Inverness College.
Course Outline
| Semesters 1 & 2 provide each student with grounding in the sciences applying to forestry and the main forestry practices while developing communication and computer skills. | |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
Plant Biology |
Forest Surveying & Mapping Forest Practice Wood Science Earth Science Communications Methods Chemistry for Land Scientists |
| Semesters 3 & 4 focus on developing technical forestry skills and preparing students for the forestry work placement. | |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
| Timber Technology Forest Mensuration Forest Protection Soil Management Forestry & the Environment Applied Geographical Information Systems |
Work Placement |
Semesters 5 & 6 concentrate on professional aspects of forestry. Each student undertakes a Forest Management Plan that brings together experience developed through the entire course. | |
Semester 5 |
Semester 6 |
Forest Economics |
Plantation Silviculture Commercial Forestry Practices Forest Planning Forest Engineering Small Enterprise Management Forest Management Plan |
Course Facts
Course Title: BSc in Forestry
Course Code: WD076
Course Level: 7
Duration: 3 years
Course Entry
Leaving Certificate:
- Total number of different subjects at grade D or better: 5
Required Subjects:
- English/Irish: OD3/HD3
- Mathematics: OD3/HD3
Graduates of the FETAC Certificate in Forestry, with 15 weeks work placement, may apply directly to Waterford Institute of Technology for entry onto the BSc in Forestry.
For further information:
Course Leader: Tom Kent, BAgrSc (Forestry), MSIF
Ph: 051 302646. Email: tkent@wit.ie
Recent Entry Points
| Year | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Minimum Points | 205 | 205 | 205 | 235 | 280 |
But don't just take our word...
“WIT is an excellent institute of education with excellent student services. The fact that the forestry course exists in WIT provided a great opportunity for me to pursue my interest in forestry. The course is both practical and scientific which provides an extremely good foundation for interested individuals to gain employment. The general atmosphere is friendly with the lecturers helping in any way they can. Additionally the social life between students within and outside the college is excellent.
I now work for Coillte in the harvesting section in timber haulage and volume / weight measurement. Other areas include printing permits on request of haulage companies and maintaining good communication between hauliers, the forest harvesting team and the sawmill. Overall it is a very challenging and rewarding job”.
Edward Lowe, BSc in Forestry
