pgstudies
Welcome to Stellenbosch University

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Department of Forest and Wood Science​

​Research is conducted in the fields set out below.​

forest science

SILVICULTURE

The genetic improvement of trees, propagation of trees, tree establishment, management of indigenous forests and woodlands as well site/species matching. ​

Forestry Development

The use of indigenous trees by communities, the participatory management of indigenous forests and woodlands and the use of agroforestry technologies for community development are investigated. 

Forest Management​

Research focuses on forest inventory, growth and yield modelling of natural and commercial plantation forests, GIS-modelling, informatics, forestry economics and finance, business management and policy. 

Forest Engineering 

This field deals with logistics and supply-chain management, operations research, harvesting systems optimisation, optimal building and management practices for access roads and forest road networks, and timber transport, costing and work-study protocols.​


WOOD SCIENCE

Wood Properties

Deepening study of the biological, physical and chemical properties of importance during the processing and use of wood-based products. Include amongst others, micro and macro ​structures, biodegradation, wood/water relationship, thermal behaviour, mechanical strength, and electrical and acoustic properties. 

Wood Processing

Further studies of the processes, economics and management of primary and secondary wood processing industries. 

Wood-based Constructions​​​

The design, manufacture and properties of wood-based constructions, joints and fasteners, durability and performance testing. 

Industrial Research and Practice

Identification and solving of an industrial problem or development of a product.


POSTGRADUATE QUALIFICATIONS​

 POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMAS
  • PGDip (Forestry and Wo​od Sciences)​
 MASTER'S DEGREES
  • MSc (Forestry and Natural Resource Sciences)
  • ​MSc​ ​(Wood and Wood Products Sciences​)
 DOCTORAL DEGREES
  • PhDFor (F​orest Science​) 
  • ​​PhDFor (Wood Product Sci​ence) ​​

Application Process