Structure, content and courses

The master's programme comprises two study tracks: forest ecology and management and forest economics, business and society. When applying to the programme you need to select one of the study tracks.

In advanced studies, you focus on field-specific issues and develop your professional knowledge when writing your Master’s thesis and completing courses in your field of specialisation. In addition, the studies include elective courses that allow you to diversify and deepen your knowledge. 

 
Structure and content

The degree structure (pdf)

The scope of the Master's Programme in Forest Sciences is 120 credits (ECTS). The programme comprises two study tracks: forest ecology and management and forest economics, business and society. These study tracks include a total of six fields of specialisation.

The specialisations forest ecology and management focus on various types of forest and peatland ecosystem diversity, evolution and interactions, how forest organisms respond to changing enviroment, examine the planning of forest use and the relevant collection of information, examine forest inventory models, wood harvesting and logistics as well as the processing of wood into bioeconomy products.

Topical issues include:

  • climate change
  • the prevention of damage to forests caused by insects and fungi
  • the control of game populations
  • forest genomics, evolution and breeding
  • problems related to the exploitation of tropical forests
  • the application of new remote sensing methods in the planning of forest resource management
  • the combination of different values and targets in forestry and bioeconomy
  • various models of silviculture
  • increased efficiency in logging and transportation
  • generating added value in all areas of biorefining.

Studies in the forest economics, business and society are based on the sustainable use of a renewable natural resource and on the development of responsible business activities in a global environment. The focus of studies is on the globalisation of forest-based industry and business and its structural redevelopment into the bioeconomy and circular economy. You will become familiar with forest policy issues and forest-based issues of the bioeconomy in production, marketing and policy as part of the global operating environment.
Study track: Forest economics, business and society

When choosing the study track Forest economics, business and society, you learn to work with people, businesses and societies managing renewable resources, with a broad understanding of sustainability and profitability; and learn to critically analyse politics and power in related policy arenas.

Course topics include:

  • Marketing and management in the forest industry: strategic management and marketing, responsibility in forest bioeconomy, customer orientation, innovations
  • Business economics of units within forest bioeconomy, economics of silviculture, forest investment and the economic impact of environmental targets
  • Forest owners’ goals and behaviour, structure of forest ownership
  • International forest policy: global processes and trends impacting the forest sector from the perspective of individuals, communities and nations

You can learn more about these topics from the research groups pages.
Study track: Forest Ecology and Management

The Forest Ecology and Management study track of the Master's Programme in Forest Sciences offers a very versatile array of different specialisation lines from both ecological and technological point of views. Research groups are responsible for the teaching of these lines and you can learn more about these topics from the research groups pages.

 

Specialization lines starting academic year 2023-2024:

  1. Ecosystem function and biogeochemistry: biogeochemical cycles of forests and peatlands, interactions between ecosystems and climate, implications of global change to ecosystem management
  2. Production ecology, silviculture and landuse management: tree growth and production, diversity, sustainable use, silviculture, restoration, conservation, climate change mitigation
  3. Biodiversity, evolution and interaction of forests: forest animals and fungi species, diversity, pests and diseases, biotechnology, forest genomics and breeding, wildlife ecology and management
  4. Tropical forestry, agroforestry and land use
  5. Forest resource management and geoinformatics: the collection and use of forest-related information in decision-making, laser scanning, remote sensing, forest inventory
  6. Forest technology and logistics: the management of forest products, terramechanics, precision harvesting
  7. Wood material science: wood science and wood as raw material, laboratories in the forest industry, the structure and properties of wood raw material