The MSFM is a three-term course-based program consisting of 33 credits:
- 21 required credits (FRST 555, FRST 556, FRST 557, FRST 558), and 12 elective credits*.
* as approved by the Program Director
Timeline to Completion Options
There are two paths for completing the program. Note that both require full-time registration, but Option 2 provides a one-year leave period in between the Summer/Fall and Winter Terms:
OPTION 1:
Graduation requirements are completed in 10 months. This is the best option for students wishing to devote a concentrated period to study and graduate in the shortest time possible.
- Summer Term Year 1 (July-August): MSFM registration and tuition assessment officially begins at the start of UBC’s Summer Term Two (July 1). Note that students are not required to arrive on campus until mid-August, which is when the first course (FRST 555 immersion field camp) begins. Prior to field camp, students are sent a pre-arrival reading package and are expected to be familiar with this material by August arrival.
- Fall Term Year 1 (September-December): full-time course work including FRST 556, FRST 557 and electives.
- Winter Term Year 1 (January-April): full-time course work including FRST 558 and electives.
- Degree Conferral: May (on campus requirements completed by April 30).
OPTION 2:
Graduation requirements are completed in 22 months. This is the best option for students who are limited in the period of time in which they can be away from employment or family obligations. It allows the first half of the degree to be completed, followed by a one-year leave from study and then return the following year for program completion. NOTE: UBC assesses a per-term leave of absence fee. See the tuition page for more details.
- Summer Term Year 1 (July-August): MSFM registration and tuition assessment officially begins at the start of UBC’s Summer Term Two (July 1). Note that students are not required to arrive on campus until mid-August, which is when the first course (FRST 555 immersion field camp) begins. Prior to field camp, students are sent a pre-arrival reading package and are expected to be familiar with this material by August arrival.
- Fall Term Year 1 (September-December): full-time course work including FRST 556, FRST 557 and electives.
- Winter Term Year 1 (January-April ): official leave of absence
- Summer Term Year 2 (May-August): official leave of absence
- Fall Term Year 2 (September-December): official leave of absence
- Winter Term Year 2 (January–April ): full-time course work including FRST 558 and electives.
- Degree Conferral: May (on campus requirements completed by April 30).
Course Descriptions
FRST 555 (3 credits): Fundamentals of Sustainable Forest Land Management (Summer Term)
Sustainable forest management maintains the long-term health of forest ecosystems while providing environmental, economic, and social benefits for present and future generations. This course introduces the fundamental concepts and principles that underlay stand and forest level decision-making including: an overview of key concepts in ecosystem classification, soils, hydrology, climate, measurements, silviculture, forest health, wildlife habitat supply and use, operations, community forestry and an introduction to stand and forest level planning. The course will be delivered as a two week course in the summer, part of which will be a residential field camp. Students will be provided with a package of material to read prior to the commencement of the course.
FRST 556 (3 credits): Land Information Acquisition and Analysis (Fall Term)
Students will learn the principles behind forest land data acquisition and use and will practice some of the procedures. Practical examples and exercises will be used throughout the course to provide a deeper understanding of the complexities and uses of this information.
FRST 557 (6 credits): Site-Level Forest Land Management (Fall Term)
Design and implementation of site-level plans that integrate ecological, social and economic components. Includes topics from silviculture, forest operations and forest health.
FRST 558 (9 credits): Landscape-Level Forest Land Management (Winter Term)
Preparation of landscape-level sustainable forest management plans that integrate ecological, social and economic components.
Electives:
- Economics and administration of forestry (3 credits): FRST 537c
- Forest policy (3 credits): FRST 523
- Directed studies in specialization/supplementary coursework (6 credits)
A maximum of 6 credits may be completed at the undergraduate 300-or 400-level.
