Forestry (FOS1)

Here from academic staff and graduates on why this programme is for you.

https://youtu.be/z07GQKlLk_k

A broad science-based first year is followed by forestry-focused topics in subsequent years. Fourth year is largely project-based and allows students to combine all of their accumulated skills and knowledge, while further developing their ability to communicate effectively.

Students spend approximately 40 hours a week attending lectures, laboratory sessions and tutorials, and undertake independent study.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Forestry students complete four months’ PWE and are encouraged to gain experience in various aspects of forestry both in Ireland and abroad. In third year, a number of forestry students have studied for a trimester in:

• Michigan State University, USA
• University of Vermont, USA
• State University, USA

Forestry graduates find employment in all areas of the sector, including:

• State and semi-state agencies
• Forest management and consultancy
• Wood processing and renewable energy
• Environmental agencies
• Education and research
• Forestry contractors

Many graduates set up their own forestry businesses. Other opportunities include information technology, land-use planning and financial services.

Research to Master’s and PhD levels is available.

Non-EU Undergraduate Fee information can be found here.

UCD offers a number of competitive undergraduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD undergraduate degree programme. For information on Undergraduate Scholarships, please see the UCD International Scholarships webpage.

Forests and trees, and their management, can contribute directly to the achievement of many of the Sustainable Development Goals. The Forestry degree delivered by UCD offers students opportunities for employment across the land-management sector where their knowledge will be key to furthering the impact of the SDGs to benefit society and the wider environment. Forestry students study a range of topic areas that contribute directly and indirectly to the achievement of the SDGs, as listed below.

While it is widely accepted that forests are the lungs of the earth, providing us with sustainable and renewable timber and support biodiversity…

• time spent in a forest has been shown to have measurable impacts on blood pressure and stress levels thus contributing to better health & well-being; 
• trees in urban settings reduce particulate pollution, shelter buildings and pedestrians and combat the ‘urban heat island’ effect which is exacerbated by climate change and increasing urbanisation; 
• trees grown in agroforestry settings confer greater environmental and ecological sustainability to crop and livestock production systems; 
• forestry plays a significant role in supporting biodiversity and management routinely aims for production of multiple ecosystem services; 
• forests help to mitigate the impacts of storm events by regulating water flow and protecting soil surfaces from erosion. Trees and forests play an integral role in the global water cycle, distributing water resources and protecting water quality; 
• well-managed forests support rural employment in management, harvesting, logistics and timber processing; 
• trees directly sequester carbon, harvested wood products store carbon, and timber can be used as a substitute for high energy building materials, like steel and concrete. In addition, wood biomass is becoming more important as a renewable and sustainable energy source; 
• the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recognises that sustainable timber production is an essential climate mitigation tool; 
• forest research continues to develop greater understanding of tree and forest systems, of how they interact with climate, of how we can optimise our management of them, and how our society can better benefit from them as well as conserve them; 

The SDGs that are directly, or indirectly, positively impacted by forests are: 

• Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
• Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
• Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
• Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
• Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
• Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
• Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
• Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
• Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
• Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
• Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss