Programme syllabus

Entry Requirements

To be admitted to the Master’s programme Industrial Wood Supply Management, the following criteria must be met:

general entry requirements: first-cycle qualification comprising at least 180 credits or a corresponding qualification from abroad.

specific entry requirements: specialisation comprising at least 60 credits in one of the following subjects/disciplinary domains:

• Forestry Science
• Forest Management
• Forest Science
• Forest and Wood Engineering

15 credits within forest technology, wood science/wood technology, or equivalent

5 credits geographic information systems (GIS).

In addition, knowledge equivalent of English 6 is required. SLU regulations state that applicants may meet this requirement if they were awarded a first-cycle degree from a Swedish university, or have completed 120 credits at SLU. For applicants from some English speaking countries certain rules may apply.

The specific entry requirements can also be met by someone who has acquired the equivalent knowledge through a corresponding qualification from abroad or in some other way.

For admission to the courses included in the programme, there are specific entry requirements for each course; these are described in the course syllabus.

Content

Programme description

The Master’s program prepares for a professional career within the forestry sector’s main process – effective organization of raw material supply. The program aims to provide a system perspective and ability to manage, analyze and develop forest industrial supply systems. The program develops a variety of specialist skills, based on applications of methods for management of work processes across the whole supply chain. These methods builds on insights in raw material demands for both existing and new bio-based industries (sawn wood, pulp and paper, energy, and biorefinery) and abilities for quantitative analysis of these. Skills in work process management primarily relates to i) development of competitive supply strategies, and ii) application of methods for efficient control of wood deliveries.

These three parts (raw material demands, supply strategies, and control) underlies the program’s first three courses, and constitutes the core content. Then follows space for individually chosen courses and courses providing specialist skills in management of digital data from remote sensing and the supply chain’s internal data sources. The courses lie the foundation for the last capstone course that trains both analytical abilities regarding improved sustainability and competiveness as well as the ability to handle uncertainties and unforeseen events within supply operations.

The extensive material- and capital flows within wood supply has led to this part of the sector being far ahead in digitalization, and the program therefore provides knowledge of the existing fully digitized architectures for both wood trading and operations control. Focus is also given to the ongoing digital transformations within the forestry sector, and how these opportunities develops wood supply processes.

The two-year program is both an academic education and provide vocational training. The labor market for graduates is mainly within management and specialist roles in the wood supply chain from forest to industry, eg. within wood sourcing, production, or transport. The program is developed and given in cooperation with sector representatives, to ensure high relevance and employability within both industry and academia.

Miscellaneous

A well-functioning study environment is characterized by openness, equality, and an inclusive approach. SLU works actively for gender equality and equal conditions, which promotes a workclimate that takes advantage of the diversity that employees' and students' different backgrounds, life situations and skills bring.

SLU's profile is focused on knowledge of biological natural resources, and societal challenges such as raw material, water and energy supply as well as climate change have connections to our areas of responsibility. The UN's goals for sustainable development concern, among other things, these societal challenges, but also man's use and management of biological natural resources.

The programme is given in English.

Programme courses

Main fields of study: SV = Forestry Science

Course (main field of study, level)

Year 1
Raw Material Properties and Refining Processes, 15 hp (SV, A1N)
Industrial Wood Supply Strategy, 15 hp (SV, A1F)
Operational Management of Industrial Wood Supply, 15 hp (SV, A1F)
Management Control Systems in Forestry*, 7,5 hp (SV, A1N)
Geographic Information Technology II, 7,5 hp (SV, A1N)

Year 2
Remote Sensing and Inventory, 15 hp (SV, A1N)
Sustainable Wood Supply Analysis, 15 hp (SV, A1F)
Master’s Thesis in Forestry Science, 30 hp (SV, A2E)

*preliminary title

The range of courses offered may change during the programme. This may result in a new version of the syllabus with transitional regulations. Decisions on the courses offered are taken well in advance of the next academic year.

Each course in the programme has its own syllabus with specific requirements. The SLU student web provides detailed information about when the courses are given.

Some study periods (part of a semester) SLU may offer multiple courses to choose between within the programme. Programme students are guaranteed one of these courses, provided that the entry requrements are fullfilled and that the student have applied in time.

Objectives

General objectives

The general learning outcomes for first- and second-cycle courses and programmes are specified in the Higher Education Act (Chapter 1, Sections 8–9).

Qualitative targets

The Annex to the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences stipulates that for the Degree of Master (120 credits), the student shall have:

Knowledge and understanding

• demonstrated knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrated specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and skills

• demonstrated the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• demonstrated the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake specialised tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
• demonstrated the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to report clearly and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrated the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach

• demonstrated the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical considerations and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• demonstrated insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrated the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

Qualification Requirements

Degree awarded upon completion of the programme

The Master’s programme Industrial Wood Supply Management aims at a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with Forestry Science as the main field of study, a general qualification.

Students who fulfill the qualification requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) will be provided with a degree certificate upon request. The degree certificate will specify the qualification as Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Forestry Science (masterexamen med huvudområdet skogsbruksvetenskap).

Other qualifications may be awarded if the necessary requirements are fulfilled. See the SLU System of Qualifications.

The programme contains courses that, depending on courses taken and combination with previous studies within certain bachelor programmes at SLU, may provide the necessary requirements of 300 credits in total for the professional degree Jägmästarexamen (Master of Science in Forestry). See the SLU System of Qualifications.

Degree requirements

A Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Forestry Science is awarded to students who have successfully completed 120 credits, of which at least 90 credits are from second-cycle courses, from the required courses as follows:

• a minimum of 30 credits from courses with specialised study in forestry science (A1N, A1F)
• a minimum of 30 credits from a degree project in forestry science (A2E).

There is additional requirement of a completed Degree of Bachelor, professional degree comprising a minimum of 180 credits, or a corresponding qualification from abroad.

A maximum of 30 credits from first-cycle courses may be included, provided these credits were not included in a qualifying Degree of Bachelor, or equivalent. All courses included in a degree must be at university level, have been successfully completed and may not overlap/have similar content.

OtherInformation

General regulations for first- and second-cycle courses and programmes

For more information about semester dates, examinations and credit transfer at first and second-cycle level, see the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Possibilities for further study

Students who complete the MSc in Industrial Wood Supply Management and are awarded a degree may continue onto doctoral studies.