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Read the full noticeSchool of Agriculture
B.Sc. Forestry Resources and Wildlife Management
Programme Overview
The Forest Resources and Wildlife Management programme at the University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Ihugh (UAST) consists of a comprehensive undergraduate education in the sustainable management of forest ecosystems, biodiversity conservation, wildlife ecology, and natural resource governance. For students in the programme, a core learning objective is building and demonstrating foundational competencies in sustainable forestry, wildlife conservation, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity assessment, geospatial technologies, and environmental governance through the successful completion of rigorous coursework, field investigations, laboratory analyses, and a capstone professional project. Students are also eligible for accelerated professional pathways, including postgraduate research, conservation leadership, and entrepreneurial ventures in the green economy.
Programme Distinctiveness
A Curriculum Benchmark Internationally
The UAST Forest Resources and Wildlife Management curriculum is benchmarked against leading forestry and wildlife programmes at institutions including Wageningen University & Research, University of British Columbia, Oregon State University, Colorado State University, and University of California-Davis, while addressing forest conservation, wildlife management, and ecosystem restoration challenges specific to Nigeria and Africa.
A Programme Rooted in National Priorities
While maintaining international standards, the programme equips graduates to address Nigeria's most pressing forestry and wildlife challenges: deforestation and forest degradation, biodiversity loss and habitat fragmentation, wildlife crime and trafficking, climate change impacts on forest ecosystems, sustainable forest enterprise development, protected area management, and community-based conservation.
Integrated with National Academic Standards
The programme is structured around the National Universities Commission (NUC) Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), with a distinctive 30% UAST proprietary component that substantially strengthens competencies in GIS and remote sensing for forestry and wildlife, forest inventory analytics and decision support, environmental instrumentation and ecological monitoring, programming for forest and wildlife analytics, conservation genomics and biodiversity informatics, climate-smart forestry and carbon accounting, wildlife disease ecology and One Health, drone applications in forestry and wildlife monitoring, forest landscape restoration and ecosystem resilience, smart protected area management and conservation technology, wildlife crime investigation and environmental forensics, forest policy and governance, green entrepreneurship, and professional practice.
The UAST Advantage: Professional Competencies
Graduates of this programme acquire competencies in:
- Sustainable Forestry and Wildlife Conservation
- GIS and Remote Sensing
- Forest Inventory and Analytics
- Environmental Instrumentation and Ecological Monitoring
- Programming for Forest and Wildlife Analytics
- Conservation Genomics and Biodiversity Informatics
- Climate-Smart Forestry and Carbon Accounting
- Wildlife Disease Ecology and One Health
- Drone Applications in Forestry and Wildlife Monitoring
- Forest Landscape Restoration and Ecosystem Resilience
- Smart Protected Area Management
- Wildlife Crime Investigation and Environmental Forensics
- Forest Policy, Governance and International Environmental Law
- Green Entrepreneurship and Nature-Based Solutions
Programme Structure
The programme is delivered over four academic years (100–400 Levels) and comprises UAST proprietary courses complementing the NUC 70% core curriculum.
Year One: Foundations
- Introduction to Sustainable Forestry and Wildlife Conservation
- Digital Literacy for Forestry and Environmental Sciences
- Technical Communication for Forestry Professionals
- Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development
Year Two: Analytical and Digital Foundations
- Applied GIS and Remote Sensing for Forestry and Wildlife
- Forest Inventory Analytics and Decision Support
- Environmental Instrumentation and Ecological Monitoring
- Programming for Forest and Wildlife Analytics
- Research Methods in Forestry and Wildlife Management
Year Three: Advanced Conservation and Technology
- Conservation Genomics and Biodiversity Informatics
- Climate-Smart Forestry and Carbon Accounting
- Wildlife Disease Ecology and One Health
- Drone Applications in Forestry and Wildlife Monitoring
- Forest Landscape Restoration and Ecosystem Resilience
Year Four: Professional Integration and Leadership
- Smart Protected Area Management and Conservation Technology
- Wildlife Crime Investigation and Environmental Forensics
- Forest Policy, Governance and International Environmental Law
- Forestry Entrepreneurship, Green Economy and Nature-Based Solutions
- Professional Practice, Leadership and Consultancy in Forestry and Wildlife Management
Career Pathways
UAST Forestry Resources and Wildlife Management graduates are prepared for careers in:
Government Forestry Agencies
Forest management, conservation planning, and policy implementation
Wildlife Conservation Organizations
Biodiversity monitoring, protected area management, and species conservation
National Parks and Protected Areas
Park management, ecotourism, and conservation education
Environmental Consulting Firms
Environmental impact assessment, ecological monitoring, and conservation planning
International Development Organizations
FAO, UNDP, World Bank, and conservation-focused NGOs
Research and Academic Institutions
Forestry research, wildlife ecology, and postgraduate studies
Forest Certification and Carbon Markets
Forest carbon accounting, REDD+ projects, and sustainable forest certification
Ecotourism and Nature-Based Enterprises
Sustainable tourism, community-based conservation, and green entrepreneurship
Wildlife Crime Investigation and Law Enforcement
Environmental forensics, anti-poaching, and conservation law enforcement
Climate Change Adaptation and Ecosystem Restoration
Forest landscape restoration, climate resilience, and nature-based solutions
Fast-Track and Professional Pathways
Qualified students are eligible for accelerated pathways, including:
Industrial Training (SIWES)
- Supervised internships in forestry agencies, conservation organizations, and environmental consulting firms
Professional Certifications
- Preparation for certifications in GIS, forest carbon accounting, and conservation management
Field Research
- Supervised field research in forest reserves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries
Postgraduate Pathways
- Progression to M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes in Forestry, Wildlife Management, Conservation Biology, Environmental Science, and related disciplines