The Department of Forest and Wood Science (DFWS) has historically been tasked specifically with the enrichment of forest and wood science through basic and applied research, teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and community outreach in South Africa.
Our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes prepare students to act as competitive leaders and managers in the various sectors of forestry. The Department focuses on creating opportunities where all students can develop their full potential. This is done by researching and using the most suitable methods of teaching to encourage students to obtain all facets of the graduate qualities. The Department works closely with other support divisions to ensure success on undergraduate level, including additional tutor support, integration of information and communication technologies in the teaching and learning process. Interpreting services are also offered in certain areas.
The Department’s strength lies in the fact that it is the only tertiary education institution in South Africa to provide an educational offering at BSc, MSc and PhD levels in both Forest and Natural Resource and Wood Products Science. The presence of these two major disciplines under one roof enables the DFWS to address the full forestry value chain, from forest establishment and silviculture, forest management, timber harvesting and transport, and forest economics to secondary processing for structural lumber, composite materials, bio-energy and other value added products.