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Introduction to Forestry unit (KPZ500)

2027 Unit information is now available. View 2027 unit information

Location: Hobart

NA

1. This unit has a quota of 25 students due to WHS and logistical constraints associated with the intensive component.

2. The industry, through the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) and Forestry Australia (FA), supports a minimum of twenty places in this unit each year, but may elect to support additional places in any given year.

3. Preference is given to students who are supported through AFPA or FA

4. This is a requisite unit in the award Graduate Certificate in Forestry.  Preference will be given to potential students who are enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Forestry.

5. Where the unit is not fully subscribed by the above mechanisms it will be open to other who meet the unit entry criteria

6. Attendance at synchronous online sessions throughout the semester is required. These 90 minute sessions are led outside of business hours. 

7 Attendance at the five day intensive component (in northern Tasmania) is mandatory.

8 Credit/exemption for this unit is not possible except for completion of the ANU unit ENVS8048 Introduction to Australian Forestry in either 2024 or 2025 calendar year.

Introduction

This unit is the first of four units that you will undertake in order to be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Forestry. The unit equips you with an understanding of the key historical, environmental, economic and social contexts for Forestry in Australia and the associated key governance (policies and institutions) contexts for Australian Forestry. This understanding is developed through the unit within the framework of sustainability principles and in relation to the multiple uses and values of forests in Australia and how they are integrated into other land uses.

In addition to the academic staff presenting the unit, you will be engaged with stakeholders from industry, NGOs, and government in formal and informal discussions and workshops throughout the unit, giving you access to a broad range of experts with deep understanding of the many different parts of the sector. You will participate in these discussions, workshops and tutorials online in 90 minute sessions throughout the semester. You will also be part of a compulsory one week (five day) intensive program in the north of Tasmania that introduces you to a wide range of forest types under management for conservation, recreation and production as well as processing facilities that will provide you with a fuller understanding of the role forestry production plays in the bioeconomy and the manufacture of sustainable infrastructure, materials and energy. 

 

Summary

Unit name Introduction to Forestry
Unit code KPZ500
Credit points 12.5
College/School Sciences and Engineering
School of Natural Sciences
Discipline Biological Sciences
Coordinator Mr Jamie Grimsdale
Delivered By
Level Postgraduate

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Hobart Semester 1 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to Domestic Students
  • Key:
  • This unit is available through on-campus delivery On-campus
  • This unit is available through off-campus delivery Off-Campus
  • Available to International Students International students
  • Available to Domestic Students Domestic students
Note

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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 1 22/2/2026 16/3/2026 19/4/2026 13/6/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain the key historical, environmental, economic, and social contexts of Australian forestry and how these affect the sector today
  • Evaluate the governance framework within which present day Australian forestry operates
  • Apply sustainability principles to the operational application of Australian forest policy and practice
  • Compare and contrast how these contexts and practices are expressed in farm, plantation and native forestry
  • Communicate knowledge and understanding of Australian forestry orally and in writing.

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
050500 $592.00 $592.00 not applicable $4,250.00
  • FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

Students must attend one 1.5 hour online session per week during semester. These are not held every week. Dates are known in advance and seven to eight sessions are held. Students must also attend an intensive field program for five consecutive days held during the semester. The week is chosen each year to avoid complications of Easter and school Holidays. Attendance at the field program is mandatory and requires travel across northern Tasmania. 

AssessmentPresentation of Field Class Learning (15%)|Pre-Field Class Precis (20%)|Field Class Report (30%)|Forestry Contexts and Issues: Overview + Implications Paper (35%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Free online reading resources provided as needed

Recommended

These are provided online each week to support the content of that week.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.