Academic Degree
Bachelor (Bologna 1st cycle degree)
General Objectives
Forests are ecosystems extremely important, worldwide, in terms of environmental, social and economic context, and they are contributing decisively to a sustainable development and social well-being. Forests are facing important challenges and the global objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (2030 Agenda) of the United Nations, forests represent an important resource for a green, circular and carbon neutral/positive economy, based on the enhancement of the ecosystems environmental services and based on management solutions inspired by Nature approaches (Nature-based solutions).
Specifically, in Portugal, the economy related with forests represent 3% of national GDP and 12% of industrial GDP, and also represent 10% of total national exportations, figures that, in the EU, are only surpassed by Finland and Sweden. However, forests in Portugal are facing important challenges, such as climate change and extreme events, the expansion of pests and diseases, or certification and other changes in international markets, phenomena that require innovative approaches and highly trained professionals.
It is intended that this Graduation combines traditional knowledge of the forestry sector with innovative technologies available to be applied to forest species and ecosystems (e.g., Optics, Biotechnologies, Remote Sensing, Artificial Intelligence). Thus, with this degree, the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro and the University of Porto intend to:
1 - To prepare graduates able of acting as agents of modernization and competitiveness in the forestry sector, in Portugal, but also in other countries, either performing professional functions or continuing their higher education in topics related to the forest, natural resources and biotechnology.
2 - To educate graduates with a critical, proactive and dynamic spirit, who could be absorbed by the job market or preferentially pursue complementary 2nd (and 3rd) cycle studies, consolidating scientific-technological and innovation skills that allow them to:
• Design and implement activities and projects within the scope of biotechnology and forestry engineering, applied to the production, transformation and market of forest products;
• Apply technological and biotechnological tools to increase production, increase their resistance to pathogens and make them more suitable for wide final uses;
• Apply innovative approaches and methods in solving problems, aiming at the creation of new friendly environmental processes, namely in the detection of pests, diseases or forest fires, land use changes, control and automation of processes, updating forest inventories, among others;
• Develop multidisciplinary studies on the assessment of forest externalities (carbon, water, biodiversity, landscape, etc.), which allow for the creation of new business opportunities;
• Formulate and implement protection and/or restoration/rehabilitation actions of degraded terrestrial, aquatic and riverine ecosystems, among others.
3 - Activate and combine the excellence of national research and innovation, the dynamism of the forest business sector, also using new approaches and innovative educational tools (mobility, b-learning) in order to taught and prepare this new generation of professionals and researchers, accomplishing a high technological and scientific profile, to mobilize knowledge and resources to all the forestry sector, increasing its competitiveness, within the framework of new European and Global sustainability commitments.
CNAEF Classification
623
(Forestry and Hunting) Portaria n.º 256/2005 [PT]
Study Programme/Publication in the Portuguese Official Gazette
Duration
6 semestres
Requirements and Regulations
Other Information
This degree is offered together with the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto. Students who enter this degree, in the 1st year, will have classes at the Campo Alegre campus, at FCUP, in the city of Porto; and they will have classes at the UTAD Campus, in Vila Real, only in the 2nd year of their degree.
Career Opportunities
A graduated student in Forestry Engineering and Biotechnology can perform technical, research and consulting activities, both in public and private entities, under various professional contexts that involve:
• To plan, manage and implement Biotechnology and Forest Engineering activities;
• To design landscape planning policies and plans
• To promote an efficient use of natural resources and support a transition to a low carbon economy able to mitigate climate change;
• To minimize natural risks associated with fires and harmful biotic agents;
• To develop multidisciplinary studies to assess forest externalities (Carbon, Water, Biodiversity, Landscape) and this way, create business opportunities;
To formulate protection / restoration / rehabilitation strategies for degraded ecosystems;
• To develop innovative environmentally friendly technologies and methods (pests detection, diseases and forest fires, land use changes, forest inventory, etc.);
• To understand biotechnological tools to increase production, to increase resistance to pathogens, among others;
• To improve skills in planning, production, processing and marketing of forest products.
Graduate Profile
The degree in Forestry Engineering and Biotechnology highlights the importance of knowledge innovation and soft skills, valuing new themes that respond to some of the main actual current challenges, such as the growing impact of wildfires, the conservation of nature and biodiversity in forest, or forest management for climate change mitigation of (and adaptation to). Also, the (bio)technological tools for the study, improvement and/or valorisation of forest resources and land are reinforced. Overall, this degree has a strong innovative character, with no equivalent in this and other areas of training.
Entities to Practice
• Producers and/or Forest Owners Associations;
• Natural Resources Management and Planning Entities;
• Project and consultancy offices;
• Biotechnological industries;
• Forest Industries;
• Higher education institutions;
• Scientific research and technological institutions;
• Parks and Nature Reserves;
• Central, Regional and Local Public Administration Services.
DGES Code
8258 (See more information) [PT]
Vacancies
15
Admission Requirements
Regional Preference:
(not applicable)

Prerequisites:
not required
Admission Tests
One of the following sets:
(02 Biology and Geology; 19 Mathematics A) or
(07 Physics and Chemistry; 19 Mathematics A)
Minimum Classification
Entrance exams: 95 (0-200 scale)
Application grade: 95 (scale from 0-200)
Lowest Admission Grade (1st phase)
2023: 154,7
2022: 131,3
2021: 140,9
Calculation of the Grades
Secondary Education Average: 65%
Entrance Exams: 35%
Resolution Date
02-07-2021
A3ES Deliberation
Registry Date
16-07-2021
Accreditation Validity
02-07-2027