Forest Operations unit (KPZ501)

Hobart

Introduction

This unit is the final 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 environmental, financial and logistical considerations when planning and conducting a forest operation in Australia including machine and equipment costing approaches, transport and logistics planning and scheduling, inventory management and the application of emerging technologies.  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 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 southeast Queensland that introduces you to a wide range of forest operations across different forest types and at different stages of forest growth. You will additionally have the opportunity to observe and gain a better understanding of forestry and forest management more generally in the region through visits to processing facilities, conservation and recreation forests and associated infrastructure and operations.

Summary

Unit name	Forest Operations
Unit code	KPZ501
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Sciences and Engineering School of Natural Sciences
Discipline	Biological Sciences
Coordinator	Mr Jamie Grimsdale
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Postgraduate

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 2	4/7/2027	26/7/2027	29/8/2027	23/10/2027

* 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 2027 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2027 will be available from the 1st October 2026. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Plan a forest operation incorporating relevant technology, legislation, codes of practice, and operations management methods
• Evaluate the costs and operational suitability of forestry transportation systems
• Analyse the relative advantages of the different systems available for optimising log and fibre processing operations and evaluate their sustainability impacts or contributions
• Justify and compare the operations infrastructure needs of different forest management systems

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Requisites

Prerequisites

KPZ500 Introduction to Forestry

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 is held in southeast Queensland.
Assessment	Key harvest planning considerations (20%)|Machine costing exercise (35%)|Planning a harvesting operation (45%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Reading materials will be provided each week as part of the online learning package. No text book will be used. Rather journal articles, industry reports and government policy and regulatory documents will form the basis of the reading material.
Recommended	Reading materials will be provided each week as part of the online learning package. No text book will be used. Rather journal articles, industry reports and government policy an dregulatory documents will form the basis of the reading material.

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