SV0081, Forestry in Central Sweden, 7.5 Hp
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Syllabus

Finalized by: Ordföranden för programnämnden för utbildning inom skog (PN-S), 2024-12-20
Valid from : Spring semester 2026 (2026-01-19)

Level

First cycle (G1F)

Main field of study

Forestry Science, Biology

Sub-area forestry science

Objectives, planning and policy 2 credits, Natural processes 4 credits, Work processes 1,5 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 aim of this course is to give the student an understanding of the different conditions for forestry that exist in Central Sweden.

After completing the course, the student should be able to

• identify common species in central Swedish forests, account for their ecology, use basic methods for species identification, and perform simpler site classification
• summarize regional variation in biotic and abiotic conditions, including forests close to mountains, and how these conditions affect sustainable timber-oriented forestry in Central Sweden
• summarize different ecosystems, functional structures, and processes that occur in watercourses of the central Swedish forest landscape, and explain how forestry can be conducted with adaptation to catchment areas
• use concepts and basic principles of forest management, forest inventorying, and forest planning, and have practiced skills to perform these concepts and basic principles
• show understanding of the ecological, economic, and social opportunities and challenges for forestry in Central Sweden
• propose solutions to challenges in current and future sustainable forestry in Central Sweden.

Content

The course aims to give the student the opportunity to practice practical forestry skills and to gain insight into the conditions of central Swedish forestry. The knowledge is obtained through excursions and a number of practical exercises such as identification of species, site classification, and collection of forest data for calculation of site productivity and as a basis for planning.

The course includes trips and excursions within Central Sweden, for example to research parks, production forests, nature conservation areas, montane forests, and reindeer grazing areas. The topics covered during these excursions include forest management, vegetation ecology, nature conservation, non-industrial forest values (e.g. reindeer grazing), forest ownership, etc.

The course focuses on practical knowledge and skills that are important for employment in the forest sector, including species identification, site classification, forest inventorying, regeneration assessment, forest management planning, and forest operations planning. The course involves a variety of experts, forest industry professionals, teachers, and researchers.

The course’s focus on applied knowledge, together with the many activities where knowledge is transformed into practical action, means that the course contains compulsory parts in the form of travel, field exercises, and excursions. The scope of compulsory elements is described on the course website and at the start of the course.

Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course

Approved assignments (individual and/or group), and approved participation in compulsory parts.

Responsible Department/Equivalent

School for Forest Management

Supplementary information

Included in program

• Forest and Landscape (BSc)
• Forest Business Management (BSc)

Module set

Title	Credits	Code
Singel modul	7.5	1000

The Course Replaces

SV0016

Other Information

SLU’s School of Forest Management is responsible for the course with the Department of Ecology as a cooperating department. The course uses the School of Forest Management’s teaching infrastructure in Skinnskatteberg including the Water Laboratory.

The study trip is associated with costs for travel and accommodation; further information is given via the course website.

Accommodation for course participants is available for cost price on, and in direct proximity to, campus during the four weeks that the course participants are in Skinnskatteberg. The first course week involves travelling and we stay in hostels in Dalarna and Härjedalen.

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.