Master of Forest Ecosystem Science - Elective subjects
Students in the MFES may choose electives from either the MFES range (descriptions below) or from other University of Melbourne departments and faculties (list of examples). Up to 25 percent of total points may be completed at another university (nationally or internationally).
220512 Forest Internship Project |
This subject involves definition and development of an industry-related project, and develops skills in project management, problem solving and planning and reporting investigations. The subject involves a period of time spent in placement with a forest agency, industry or non-governmental organization to address an existing investigative problem. The project may relate to an applied scientific, economic or sociological or managerial topic, and the work will involve close collaboration between student, academic and industry advisors. Students work interactively with campus coordinators and the class to define their particular project. Each student prepares a project proposal that includes methodology and approach, and covers the relevant background. Each student will subsequently prepare a detailed literature review to place their project in context with the Industry Project execution. This involves establishing base knowledge in the relevant area; definition of the issue; analysis of the approaches normally taken by industry to address such problems and the degree of success normally attained. A final report is submitted by each student and an oral presentation is presented at completion to an audience including industry members. These detail development of suitable investigative strategies and methodologies and the analysis of results or outcomes in a practical context. Students are required to attend a series of seminars delivered on project design, management and communication strategies, including case studies. (This subject is equivalent to 2 coursework subjects). Subject coordinator: Dr Antanas Spokevicius |
220513 Forest Research Project |
The forest research project develops a student's ability to design and undertake a substantial body of work, to find solutions to a forest research issue, and to report on this in written and verbal form. The project topic is developed in close collaboration between student and academic supervisors. Project definition is completed shortly after commencement of the semester of enrolment in the subject, and requires approval from the subject coordination committee. Logistic assistance for projects is coordinated on a case-by-case basis. Each student prepares a short oral presentation on their project proposal, which is peer-reviewed, as well as a written proposal (5-8 pages) to be assessed by the subject coordination committee. A more detailed oral presentation is presented on the final results of the project to an audience of Faculty staff. (This subject is equivalent to 4 coursework subjects). Subject coordinators: Dr Chris Weston |
220506 International Forest Policy |
This course addresses the policy and governance framework for forest management in international, national and state contexts. It describes policy processes and the role of different factors and the role of different policy instruments and their suitability for achieving policy objectives. Current issues in international forest policy, such as illegal logging and trade, certification and climate change are considered from the viewpoints of different forest policy factors. The course will equip students with an improved capacity for critical thinking in relation to policy issues. Subject coordinators: Prof Rod Keenan |
220417 Forest Health |
This subject covers the ecology, impact and management of insect pests and pathogens in forests, woodlands, plantations and urban environments. An understanding of the dynamics of pest and pathogen populations is essential in order to determine the risk they pose and to determine appropriate management actions. The increasing globalisation of trade also requires a thorough understanding of biosecurity protocols for the protection of trees in the landscape from exotic incursions and for maintaining overseas access for timber-based products. Subject coordinators: Nick Collett and Ian Smith |
220501 Wood Quality |
This subject provides students with advanced concepts in wood quality, the origin and cause of wood defects, their distribution in the tree and impact on wood properties. Wood quality attributes are defined together with a description of the systematic variation of wood properties within and between trees. Students will develop an understanding of wood as a complex material and factors responsible for its characteristics including density, moisture content, shrinkage and swelling. Students are given an in depth knowledge of the impact of environmental and genetic manipulation of wood quality attributes; how silvicultural techniques can be used to manage wood quality in softwood and hardwood plantations and the concepts of managing forests to end-user requirements. Students are introduced to quality surveys of forests, commercial techniques for measuring quality and log grading. Subject coordinators: Prof Peter Vinden |
220502 Bushfire and Climate |
This subject covers the fundamentals of forest fire behaviour and the factors affecting it including fuels, weather, topography, fire scale and climatic conditions. This knowledge will be the underlying understanding required for the planning and execution of prescribed burning for land management and to understand the fundamentals of wildfire suppression strategies and tactics. Subject coordinators: Dr Kevin Tolhurst |
220503 Bushfires and Biodiversity |
This subject covers the basic effects of fire on aspects of biodiversity and nutrient cycling in ecosystems. Managers are committed to developing science-based ecological burning strategies which achieve both biodiversity and asset protection objectives. Increased knowledge of the ecological impacts of fire on plants, animals and micro-organisms facilitates a better understanding of how more effective management can be achieved. Subject coordinators: Dr Alan York and Dr Tina Bell |
220720 Forest Operations |
This subject will provide an overview of forest & plantation harvesting operations including mechanized harvesting methods, cable yarding, transportation systems, forest road management, and harvest planning. Harvesting and operations cost assessment techniques, and applications of planning software to help frame problems and provide information for contemporary forest & plantation management. Students will apply the information learned in the course to develop a harvesting plan and present the plan. Subject coordinators: Professor Loren Kellogg and Mr Mark Brown |
220504 Tree Growth and Develoment (formally Trees, Genes & Environment) |
The molecular revolution is increasingly affecting the way we understand and manage our natural systems. This subject delivers a detailed examination of the developmental and molecular basis of tree growth, with specific focus on wood formation and tolerance to environmental stress. In this subject students will explore how this knowledge can be applied in forested land management including in support of tree improvement and ecosystem management. The practical component aims to provide students with exposure to a sub-set of molecular and microscopic technical skills including the use of botanical micro-techniques and the more common molecular tools. Technical and socio-economic challenges will be critically discussed and evaluated. This subject has been designed to target students with forestry, land management, science and biochemistry backgrounds but will be invaluable for any student that wishes to expand their understanding of the role trees play in terrestrial ecosystems. Subject coordinators: Assoc Prof Gerd Bossinger |
220509 Forests, Carbon and Climate Change |
This subject will investigate the role of forests in the carbon cycle and in a changing climate. Students will learn the scientific basis for climate change and the impact that a changing climate might have on tree physiology and forest ecology. We will discuss the role forests play in the global carbon cycle and the degree to which forests or plantations can be used as a carbon sequestration option. We will evaluate the requirements for forest carbon accounting and will apply carbon accounting tools in hands-on accounting sessions with industry partners. This scientific understanding will be extended to discuss policy instruments under consideration in Australia and in the International arena for the potential role of forests in carbon emissions trading. The subject will equip students with state-of-the-art knowledge on the impact of climate change on forest ecosystems and with practical experiences in forest carbon accounting. Subject coordinators: Assoc. Prof. Michael Tausz and Dr Stefan Arndt |
220511 Ecological Restoration (formally Forest Landscape Restoration) |
At the end of this subject students will have an advanced understanding of:
Subject coordinators: Dr Lauren Bennett, Dr Stephen Livesley and Dr Sabine Kasel |
220505 Advanced Plantation Silviculture |
This subject presents theory and practice of how growth and product quality can be manipulated and modelled in intensively managed plantations. It consists of three modules comprising:
Subject coordinators: Dr Peter Ades, Dr Chris Weston and Dr Tom Baker |
220507 Forests in the Asia Pacific Region |
This subject addresses the policy and governance framework for forest management in international, national and state contexts. It describes policy processes and the role of different actors and the role of different policy instruments and their suitability for achieving policy objectives. Current issues in international forest policy, such as illegal logging and trade, certification and climate change are considered from the viewpoints of different forest policy actors. The course will equip students with an improved capacity for critical thinking in relation to policy issues. This course comprises 14 days (including travel) in two components; in and around Bangkok, Thailand and in the Phillippines. Students sponsored by the National Forestry Masters Program are required to take this subject. Subject coordinator:Prof Rod Keenan |
220510 Farm Trees and Agroforestry |
This subject covers the principles and practices of integrating trees into the rural agricultural landscape for both conservation and profit. The farming community require trees and shrubs for shade and shelter, soil conservation, salinity control and aesthetics. Farmers can also produce commercial tree products such as timber, fuel, fodder, essential oils and food. Because farmers manage the majority of the Australian landscape governments, community groups and industry are increasingly working in partnership with them to grow trees for environmental services including carbon sequestration, biodiversity and downstream water quality. Subject coordinators:Rowan Reid |
220508 Timber in the Built Environment |
This subject introduces students to the impact of wood utilisation in the environment, the concepts of sustainability, cradle to grave analysis, ISO 14001 within the context of continuous environmental improvement in an industrial environment, energy and chemical production from biomass. Students will be introduced to concepts in:
Subject coordinators: Prof Peter Vinden and Associate Professor Barbara Ozarska |