FOR30180
Source: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=MODULE&MODULE=FOR30180&TERMCODE=202500&ACYR=2026 Parent: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=FOS1&AUDIENCE=
Academic Year 2025/2026
Professional Work Experience (FOR30180)
Subject: : Forestry
College: : Health & Agricultural Sciences
School: : Agriculture & Food Science
Level: : 3 (Degree)
Credits: : 10
Module Coordinator: : Ms Marie Doyle
Trimester: : Spring
Mode of Delivery: : On Campus
Internship Module: : Yes
Module Type: : Professional/Work Placement Module
How will I be graded? : Distinction/Pass/Fail (GPA Neutral)
Curricular information is subject to change.
Every forestry student is required to acquire a minimum of 16 weeks professional experience in a working forestry environment during the period between the end of 2nd trimester in stage 3 and the beginning of the 1st trimester in stage 4. \ The work experience may include work in any aspect of forestry and related activities (wood processing, amenity etc.) including forest research. \ \ Students initiative to organize work experience within the private forest sector, both in Ireland and abroad, is encouraged. In all cases the student must seek approval for their programme from the module coordinator. \ \ The credits associated with this module are not included in the calculation of grade point average and are not included in the assessment of honours. Students must familiarise themselves with and abide by the regulations for PWE as set out by the Agricultural Sciences Programme Board. For each placement, a host contract must be completed, signed by the host and received by UCD, before the placement will be deemed to have commenced by UCD. Furthermore, placements (and parts thereof) which have been completed in the absence of an appropriately completed host contract will not be accepted. Only in the most exceptional circumstances will any deviation from this requirement be permitted and this must have the agreement, in writing, of the PWE co-ordinator. \ \ Students must participate in any skills training provided (unless there are exceptional reasons that preclude this) and must undertake a minimum of two separate placements. \ \ PLEASE NOTE: THE NEW UCD CMS DEMANDS TIMINGS FOR ASSESSMENTS - THESE DO NOT ALLOW FOR MODULES SUCH AS PWE SO PLEASE IGNORE THE INDICATION THAT ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE IN WEEK 15. \ \ FROM SCHOOL PWE CO-ORDINATOR:\ Students must familiarise themselves with and abide by the PWE regulations as set out by the Agricultural Sciences Programme Board. Host contract completion is a mandatory requirement of the PWE programme. Therefore, each placement must have a finalised host contract in place (which has been signed by the host and received by UCD) before the placement is deemed to have commenced by UCD. Any placements (or parts thereof) completed in the absence of an appropriately completed host contract will not be accepted and are deemed null and void. Only in the most exceptional circumstances will any deviation from this requirement be permitted and this must have the agreement, in writing, of the PWE co-ordinator.\
About this Module
Open All Close All
What will I learn?
Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of the routine manual tasks involved in some sections of forestry and/or in the forestry research environment and/or an appreciation of the steps involved in the wood processing chain. \
- Evaluate the problems faced and the decisions made by professional foresters in the day-to-day management of forest resources.\
- Apply and develop ideas in relation to the sectors of forestry they might want to make their career in. \
- Reflect on and critique their experiences
How will I learn?
Student Effort Hours:
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Placement/Work Experience | 200 |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 200 |
\
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students will primarily involved in task-based learning. During the course of this module they will also have to employ problem based learning
Am I eligible to take this module?
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Not applicable to this module.
\
Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Co-requisite:\ RDEV20140 - Health, Welfare & Safety\ \ \ \
How will I be assessed?
Assessment Strategy
| Description | Timing | Component Scale | Must Pass Component | % of Final Grade | In Module Component Repeat Offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Project: Small 'research type' project based on something that the student has encountered during any part of their PWE. Approval for the topic should be agreed in advance. No AI allowed. | Week 15 | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 15 | No |
| Participation in Learning Activities: Based on student engagement in preparing for and seeking PWE opportunities. (Assessment timing does not make sense here but seemingly a button must be ticked!!). | Week 1 | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 15 | No |
| Report(s): Weekly reports detailing work completed, relevance to academic studies, reflections on content and actions taken. Reports to use template provided; due by Tuesday @ 9pm. No AI input permitted. | Week 15 | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 70 | No |
\
Carry forward of passed components
Yes
\
What happens if I fail?
| Resit In | Terminal Exam |
|---|---|
| Autumn | No |
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. \
Assessment feedback
Feedback Strategy/Strategies
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment\
How will my Feedback be Delivered?
Students will be given feedback on their diaries and drafts of their final report
When is this module offered?
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
| Spring | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 | Tues 10:00 - 10:50 |
| Spring | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 6 | Wed 12:00 - 12:50 |