BM0006, The Global Forest Sector, 7.5 Hp
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Syllabus

Finalized by: Ordföranden för programnämnden för utbildning inom skog (PN-S), 2024-11-19
Valid from : Autumn semester 2026 (2026-08-31)

Level

Second cycle (A1N)

Main field of study

Bioeconomy management, Forestry Science

Sub-area forestry science

Objectives, planning and policy 7,5 credits

Grading Scale

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Course language

English

Entry Requirements

Objectives

The main objective of this course is to give the students the knowledge to critically reflect upon, and discuss, the role of the forest sector for society in a global perspective, and how the sector interacts with society and the external economy.

After completing the course, students should be able to:

• describe and explain the distribution, development and status of the global forest resources in different regions and in relation to forest use, economic factors, and other forms of land use;
• demonstrate and reflect on the roles and uses of forests and their ecosystem services in different regions;
• explain main features and regional differences of the global forest industry, including capacity, production, trade, economic significance, and structural change;
• relate the forest industry development to other conditions and trends, e.g., technological, economic, institutional, social and environmental; and
• describe and critically discuss the role of the forest sector for global sustainable development and a sustainability transition, related industry products, Non-Timber Forest Products and other ecosystem services.

Content

The course takes its starting point in current forest-related challenges concerning e.g. land use, industrial production, use of resources, demographic changes and climate change. Throughout the course the sustainable development goals (SDG:s) established by the United Nations in 2015 are used and related to. In relation to these challenges questions about ecological, social, and economic sustainability and the forest industry’s role and prerequisites are in focus. The course focuses on fundamental knowledge on the forest resource and the forest industry structure, development, and role in society – with global as well as local perspectives. During the course different regions with different circumstances regarding forest resources, forest industry and social structure are in focus. By providing insight into how the forest sector contribute to societies need and how the sector interacts with other sectors in society the students are inspired to reflect about how different stakeholders in the forest sector are balanced and how the contribution from the sector can be improved. During the course the forest sector decisions are discussed, and we reflect on stakeholders, conflicts of interest, power and responsibility at global, regional and national level.

Implementation
The course is based on learning activities, for example lectures, seminars, oral presentations, written assignments, and study visits. Activities can be individual as well as group based.

The following elements are compulsory

• Guest lectures
• Seminars.

Collboration with society may be done via guest lectures and study visits.

Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course

- Approved written examination.  -  Approved written and oral presentation of assignments. - Completed mandatory elements.

Responsible Department/Equivalent

Department of forest bioeconomy and technology

Supplementary information

Included in program

• Forest and Business Management (MSc)
• Environmental Economics and Management - Master's Programme
• Forest Science - Master's Programme
• Forest Bioeconomy (MSc)

Module set

Title	Credits	Code
Forest Resources and Industries	2.5	0001
Informal forest sector	1.0	0002
Written exam	4.0	0003

The Course Replaces

SG0247, SG0214, BM0001

Other Information

SLU is environmentally certified according to ISO 14001. A large part of our courses cover knowledge and skills that contribute positively to the environment. To further strengthen this, we have specific environmental goals for the education. Students are welcome to suggest actions regarding the course’s content and implementation that lead to improvements for the environment. For more information, see webpage www.slu.se.

SLU is certified in accordance with PRIME-principles, Principles for Responsible Management Education (http://www.unprme.org/). This course concerns understandings, models and methods for sustainable development.