Forest science

Characteristics and objectives
Forest Science is a 2-year Second Cycle Degree equivalent to a Master of Science. The programme is completely taught in English and is addressed to Bachelor graduates with either forestry, agriculture, biological or environmental backgrounds. It trains high-profile graduates with a holistic and innovative vision, prepared to work on the management and conservation of natural resources at a national, European or international scales.

Forest Science offers two different specialization paths.
Forest and Land Management trains specialists in sustainable management, conservation and integrated valorization of forests and natural resources. Students acquire awareness and understanding of the functioning of forest ecosystems and skills for the sustainable management of forests and rural landscape, especially in a mountainous Alpine and Mediterranean contexts.
Forest and Nature for the Future trains specialists in the governance of forests and natural ecosystems in the context of issues such as climate change, deforestation, land use change and biodiversity conservation. Students acquire awareness and understanding of complex socio-ecological systems and skills for identifying innovative solutions for responsible forest management in line with the major global environmental issues.
In both curricula, the scientific and technical knowledge is completed through statistics, GIS and other mapping techniques, research and project management methods, as well as the development and enhancement of soft skills such as communication skills and group work capacity.

Teaching in Forest Science is based on problem-solving approaches, aimed at integrating theoretical knowledge with field experience: to this end, lectures, seminars and independent learning are supported by practical activities, laboratory work and field visits. An opportunity for the students of the two curricula to meet and bridge their learning experience is the Joint Summer Module, an interdisciplinary field activity of 1-2 weeks in Italy or abroad, taking place in summer between the first and the second year, during which students also have the chance to discuss about forest management and forest policy with various stakeholders of the forest and wood sector.

Learning in Forest Science occurs in an international and multicultural environment, as the programme participates in three Erasmus Mundus Consortia for Master double degrees, namely SUTROFOR, SUFONAMA and MEDfOR and has close links with other international Forest Schools as well as with international forest and environmental organizations like EFIMed FAO, EFI, WWF and CIFOR.

Occupational opportunities
A Forest Science graduate will find career opportunities in public and private institutions, agencies, Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations working as planner, designer, manager and supervisor in the field of sustainable and responsible management of forests, natural and semi-natural habitats, land management and protection, landscape management, use and valorisation of forest resources and ecosystems services nationally or internationally. In addition, this high profile educational path facilitates access to basic or applied research or to doctoral programmes in Italy or abroad.

Curricula
FOREST AND LAND MANAGEMENT; FOREST AND NATURE FOR THE FUTURE