FNP-21306 Management of Forest and Nature Organisations

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Lectures20
Project learning20
Tutorial29
Course coordinator(s)dr. ir. MA Hoogstra-Klein
Lecturer(s)dr. A Blum
dr. ir. MA Hoogstra-Klein
ir. MJ Punt
Examiner(s)dr. ir. MA Hoogstra-Klein

Language of instruction:

English

Continuation courses:

FNP-32306 Economic Aspects of Forest and Nature Conservation

Contents:

This course offers a systematic introduction into the field of business management and administration for forest and nature conservation. During the course several topics from this field will be discussed. The course starts with an overall introduction on (business) organisations in general, business operations and objectives and motivations. Topics of the course are:
- business information and information systems (terms, bookkeeping systems, cost);
- strategic, operational and normative management;
- goods and services (cost centre calculation, activity based costing);
- profit (cash flow analysis, variable costing, investment analysis). In order to safeguard theoretical and practical knowledge on the course content students will elaborate a complete and realistic business plan for a natural resource related investment that fulfils current criteria of social responsibility and environmental awareness. The focus of the course will not be limited to a certain region, thus including global, tropical, Dutch/European applications/examples.

Learning outcomes:

After this course students will be able to:
- understand business and administration structures in forest and nature conservation management organisations;
- know the most important approaches and methods in business management and administration and their specific guise and limitations in forestry;
- describe and apply the basic technical skills on standard management tools, such as accounting, costing, cash flow analysis and investment analysis ;
- apply different financial criteria for taking and monitoring actions on and in relation to forest and nature areas.
After this course students will understand the relevance of human decision-making for appropriate description, understanding, explanation and -if possible- forecasts of human activities in relation to natural resources worldwide.

Activities:

- preparing for and attending lectures;
- practical with small assignments;
- individual/group assignment;
- self-study.

Examination:

The student's final mark for this course will be based on:
- the results of the assignment given during the course;
- the result of a written examination with open end questions.

Literature:

More information about the course is available through the internet-site of the course.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Compulsory for: BBNForest and Nature ConservationBSc4WD