Industrial Wood Supply Strategy
Course description
This is the second course in the master’s program Industrial Wood Supply Mangement. It focuses on how to structure forestry operations in the long term to sustainably and resource-efficiently supply industries with necessary raw materials. The course content trains the students’ ability to understand and analyze the sustainable forest industrial supply chain from a market-oriented system perspective, so they can participate in the development of systems for more efficient raw material supply chains. The course includes packages of exercises and theory in supply strategy, timber purchase and trade, infrastructure planning, and flow planning.
The course can be completed entirely on distance. Teaching takes place from the campus in Umeå, where infrastructure is provided for students who are physically present.
Entry Requirements
120 credits
60 credits within one of the following subjects/disciplinary domains
- forestry science
- forest science
- forest management
- forest and wood engineering
15 credits within forest technology, wood science/wood technology, of which 7,5 credits at second-cycle level within wood science/wood technology
5 credits within geographic information systems (GIS)
English 6.
Course facts
SV0048, Industrial Wood Supply Strategy, 15.0 Hp
Print syllabus
Syllabus
Finalized by: Ordföranden för programnämnden för utbildning inom skog (PN-S), 2023-12-22
Valid from : Autumn semester 2026 (2026-08-31)
Level
Second cycle (A1F)
Main field of study
Forestry Science
Sub-area forestry science
Work processes 15 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
120 credits
60 credits within one of the following subjects/disciplinary domains
- forestry science
- forest science
- forest management
- forest and wood engineering
15 credits within forest technology, wood science/wood technology, of which 7,5 credits at second-cycle level within wood science/wood technology
5 credits within geographic information systems (GIS)
English 6.
Objectives
The course intends to give the students ability to understand and analyze the sustainable forest industrial supply chain from a market-oriented system perspective, so they can participate in the development of systems for more efficient raw material supply chains.
On completion of the course, the student should be able to:
- account and argue for, and critically evaluate the supply structure and planning processes of wood supply, depending on a company’s market conditions
- describe and discuss working methods and forms for timber trade to secure access of forest raw material
- discuss and analyze planning of transport infrastructure and stock management to secure access of forest raw material
- carry out, discuss, and analyze supply flow planning for forest raw material
- describe, discuss, and critically evaluate supply strategies for different combinations of companies, products and markets.
Content
The course focuses on how to structure forestry operations in the long term to sustainably and resource-efficiently supply industries with necessary raw materials. The course includes packages of exercises and theory in supply strategy, timber purchase and trade, infrastructure planning, and flow planning.
The course uses different forms of teaching to promote students’ learning and discussions through group exercises, literature seminars, and lectures of industrial representatives.
In addition to the theory, an independent case study is carried out with mapping and analysis of a company's supply strategy.
The course focus on the following general skills: Critical thinking, problem solving, oral communication, written communication, cooperation, time management.
The following elements are compulsory: Excercises, case study and seminars.
Cooperation with the surrounding society takes place through working life/vocational connections in program/course development together with an external program council of employer representatives, as well as through guest lectures and exercise materials from the forestry industry.
Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course
Passed oral and written reports. Passed participation in compulsory elements.
Responsible Department/Equivalent
Department of forest bioeconomy and technology
Supplementary information
Included in program
- Industrial Wood Supply Management (MSc)
- Forest Science - Master's Programme
Module set
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to supply strategy | 4.0 | 0201 |
| Supply infrastructure planning | 4.0 | 0202 |
| Timber purchase and trade | 4.0 | 0203 |
| Wood flow planning | 3.0 | 0204 |
The Course Replaces
SG0216
Other Information
The course is part of the master’s program Industrial Wood Supply Management. The course builds on the previous course in the program by integrating knowledge of raw material needs and demands with industrial supply planning. The course is the second in the program and can be completed entirely on distance. Teaching takes place from the campus in Umeå, where infrastructure is provided for students who are physically present.
The special entry requirement in wood science/wood technology can be met through the program course SV0047 Raw Material Properties and Refining Processes.