Key information for Bachelor of Science (Honours) Forestry

Code: SE527 | Level: 8 | Duration: 4 years | Delivery: Fulltime | Credits: 240

Location for Bachelor of Science (Honours) Forestry

Location: Waterford | Campus: Cork Road

Application Information for Bachelor of Science (Honours) Forestry

Next Intake: Rolling Intake | Application Status: Open | Fee Information Link: /current-students/fees-and-grants/fees/undergraduate-fees

Study Options for Bachelor of Science (Honours) Forestry

Work placement options: Available (View details at https://www.setu.ie/engage/access-our-talent)

International Applicants information for Bachelor of Science (Honours) Forestry

International Application Status: Closed | Application Information Link: https://www.setu.ie/global/study-at-setu/applying-to-setu | International Fees Link: https://www.setu.ie/current-students/fees-and-grants/fees/global-fees

What modules are taught in Bachelor of Science (Honours) Forestry?

Please Note: Electives are run subject to class sizes and timetable constraints. Some electives may require prerequisites* = elective module | Year 1: Sem 1: Plant Biology | Sem 2: Forest Surveying & Mapping, Sem 1: Forest Establishment | Sem 2: Fundamentals of Forestry, Sem 1: Mechanisation & Safety | Sem 2: Wood Science, Sem 1: Dendrology | Sem 2: Earth Science, Sem 1: Mathematics for Forestry | Sem 2: ICT for Forestry, Sem 1: Information & Communication Technology for Forestry | Sem 2: Chemistry for Land Scientists | Year 2: Sem 3: Timber Technology | Sem 4: Placement, Sem 3: Forest Mensuration | Sem 4: , Sem 3: Forest Protection | Sem 4: , Sem 3: Forest Soils | Sem 4: , Sem 3: Forestry & the Environment | Sem 4: , Sem 3: Applied Geographical Information Systems | Sem 4: | Year 3: Sem 5: Forest Economics | Sem 6: Plantation Silviculture, Sem 5: Sustainable Forest Management | Sem 6: Commercial Forestry Practices, Sem 5: Principles of Silviculture | Sem 6: Forest Engineering, Sem 5: Forest Inventory | Sem 6: Small Enterprise Management, Sem 5: Forest Harvesting | Sem 6: Forest Management Plan | Year 4: Sem 7: Land Science Research Methods | Sem 8: Student Project, Sem 7: Project Management | Sem 8: Geographic Information Systems, Sem 7: Professional Development | Sem 8: Managing People, Sem 7: Marketing Strategies for Small Business | Sem 8: Choose one of the following electives, Sem 7: Advanced Silviculture | Sem 8: *Rural Entrepreneurship, Sem 7: Statistics for Research | Sem 8: *Biodiversity Management, Sem 7: | Sem 8: Choose one of the following electives, Sem 7: | Sem 8: *Sustainable & Renewable Energy, Sem 7: | Sem 8: *Integrated Pest Management, Sem 7: | Sem 8: *Sustainable Water Management Systems

What are the entry requirements for Bachelor of Science (Honours) Forestry?

Advanced and Equivalent Entry for Bachelor of Science (Honours) Forestry:QQI FET/FETAC EntryAdvanced Entry - Years 2,3,4 or 5Non-EU ApplicantsMature Entry Route

What further study options exist for graduates of Bachelor of Science (Honours) Forestry?

Graduates of The BSc (Honours) in Forestry at SETU are equipped with a diverse skill set that opens doors to various career paths including:Forest ManagerForestry ContractorTimber Harvest PlannerEnvironmental or Conservation OfficerForest Inventory SpecialistGIS TechnicianArboristWoodland ConsultantNursery ManagerForest Product Sales Representative Graduates may also pursue further study.

SE527 Waterford

Bachelor of Science (Honours)

Forestry

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Programme Overview

The BSc (Honours) in Forestry is a four-year Level 8 degree designed to equip students with the essential knowledge and practical skills required for sustainable forest management. Throughout the program, the curriculum balances core scientific principles with hands-on learning, ensuring that students develop a thorough understanding of how to manage and protect natural forest resources effectively.

Practical Learning

Students participate in extensive fieldwork designed to reinforce classroom concepts in active natural environments. Additionally, a 12-week industry placement allows students to immerse themselves directly in real-world forest operations, building critical hands-on competence and valuable industry connections prior to graduation.

Coursework

The academic coursework spans several vital disciplines within modern forestry and natural resource science. Key subjects include silviculture—the care and cultivation of forest trees—alongside forest protection, timber technology, and broader environmental management. Together, these topics provide a well-rounded foundation in both the commercial and ecological factors shaping modern forestry practice.

Career Opportunities

Graduates earn a professional qualification that opens up diverse roles across state bodies, private sector companies, and environmental organizations:

Forest Operations & Management
Conservation & Ecology
Technical & Technical Sales
Postgraduate Study

Upon completion of the degree, graduates are fully prepared to enter diverse professional environments. The program creates direct pathways into careers across forest management, environmental conservation, and the commercial timber industry. It also provides a robust academic foundation for those who wish to advance their expertise through further study and specialized postgraduate research in related natural resource fields.

Please Note: Electives are run subject to class sizes and timetable constraints. Some electives may require prerequisites

* = elective module

Year 1

Semester 1	Semester 2
Plant Biology	Forest Surveying & Mapping
Forest Establishment	Fundamentals of Forestry
Mechanisation & Safety	Wood Science
Dendrology	Earth Science
Mathematics for Forestry	ICT for Forestry
Information & Communication Technology for Forestry	Chemistry for Land Scientists

Year 2

Semester 3	Semester 4
Timber Technology	Placement
Forest Mensuration
Forest Protection
Forest Soils
Forestry & the Environment
Applied Geographical Information Systems

Year 3

Semester 5	Semester 6
Forest Economics	Plantation Silviculture
Sustainable Forest Management	Commercial Forestry Practices
Principles of Silviculture	Forest Engineering
Forest Inventory	Small Enterprise Management
Forest Harvesting	Forest Management Plan

Year 4

Semester 7	Semester 8
Land Science Research Methods	Student Project
Project Management	Geographic Information Systems
Professional Development	Managing People
Marketing Strategies for Small Business	Choose one of the following electives
Advanced Silviculture	*Rural Entrepreneurship
Statistics for Research	*Biodiversity Management
	Choose one of the following electives
	*Sustainable & Renewable Energy
	*Integrated Pest Management
	*Sustainable Water Management Systems