Forest Science and Resource Management

As complex ecosystems, forests feature worldwide among the most significant biodiversity hotspots and fulfill numerous functions. They offer habitats for plant and animal species, produce wood – the most important renewable resource in terms of surface area and quantity – and make a fundamental contribution to the common good of society. In times of climate change and related efforts aimed at decarbonization, the significance of the forest as a supplier of energy and as carbon sink has further increased. Forest ecosystems must therefore satisfy numerous demands and, as such, are increasingly the focus of sociopolitical discourse. All of which is reflected in a demand for wood and wood products that has continually risen over the years, as well as in increasing efforts to protect and maintain forests.  

In order to do justice to these diverse and, in part, conflicting demands concerning the use of renewable resources and forest ecosystems, careful and comprehensive management is essential.

To this end, the Bachelor’s program “Forest Science and Resource Management” offers the requisite discipline-specific foundations, as well as those relating to economics and the social and natural sciences. As such, fundamentals of natural science play a role equally important to that of the technical assessment of products, and the socio-political significance of natural resources.

The study program division Forest Science and Resource Management is therefore committed to providing training that is as broad as possible.

Besides the specialized, scientific course load, expanding students’ personal competencies is a further goal of the program. To this end, project work to be completed in a team as well as additional courses in rhetoric, conflict management, or stays abroad are also offered.

Which further expertise and skills will I acquire?

Upon successfully completing the Bachelor’s program “Forest Science and Resource Management”, graduates understand the basic principles of sustainable economic activity and trade. They are conscious of the ecological, economic, and socio-political significance of natural resources. They have foundational knowledge of the natural and social sciences as well as economics and are capable of applying it in solutions to the most varied problems. They think in a contextual and analytical manner and work scientifically in accordance with established methods.

Graduates are familiar with and understand the complexity and dynamics of forest ecosystems and are able to apply this knowledge as the basis of forestry practice. They possess an extensive overview of historical developments in forest management as well as of current legal and political conditions. They understand the significance of long-term planning as the basis of forestry practice and can assess the economic and ecological effects of various practical steps. They are in a position to apply various silvicultural and business concepts and to tailor these in response to altered conditions as well as to develop them further. They understand practical work processes and can comprehensively analyze and assess them. Furthermore, They are in a position to analyze, assess and control technical forestry procedures taking into consideration economic, ecological, and technological aspects. They have an overview of the most important technologies involved in the processing of wood and the ways in which these are applied. They are familiar with various industrial procedures and understand related requirements concerning the quality of raw materials. In addition, when it comes to planning, they have foundational knowledge and skills in the area of landscape development and are conscious of the significance of the forest as a landscape component.

Which professional opportunities can I take up with this qualification?

The goal of the program is to provide solid foundations for embarking on a consecutive master's program in the areas of “Forest Science” and “Resource Management”. Moreover, the program also offers an initial qualification that can be used for professional purposes. Relevant occupational profiles include, for example, the management of a small forestry company, a position in a company in the forestry or wood industries, or forestry consultancy. The Bachelor’s program also qualifies students to enter into training for the German forest service at a higher technical level (third tier).