Bachelor of Science in Forestry

Abstract

The degree of importance of the different factors in students' choice for the Bachelor of Science in Forestry course at Aurora State College of Technology was surveyed from October to December 2022. Interview and survey questionnaires wereused in obtaining the data. The respondents were the 242 students residing in Baler Aurora, Dipaculao Aurora, Casiguran Aurora, Dilasag Aurora, Dinalungan Aurora, San Luis Aurora, Maria Aurora Aurora, Isabela, and Nueva Ecija. Results showed that most respondents were females (62%), Tagalog (78%), and most residents of Baler, Aurora (23%). Results also indicated that the following statements in relation to interest are very important to the students: "I am interested in knowing more about how to manage the forest" (4.70), "I am interested in taking care of forest" (4.63), "I am in love with planting and taking care of trees" (4.60). In terms of academic ability, the following statements were revealed as very important to the students "I am responsible for my school works and assignment" (4.48), "I can easily follow instructions" (4.31), "I am open to new ideas for my academic growth" (4.29). In relation to the student's familiarity with the BS Forestry program, the following statements were revealed as very important: "I am familiar that the course requires the students to memorize the scientific names of trees" (4.64), "I am familiar that the course will do tree planting" (4.63), "I know the course will have a hiking and trekking activity for field exposure" (4.55). In terms of economic stability, the program can offer to the students when they graduate, the statements "The degree can provide me a stable job in the future" (4.67), "There are more jobs available for the BS Forestry graduates" (4.34) were considered as very important. In terms of the influence of family, friends and classmates in choosing BS Forestry course, the statements "My parent encourages to take the BS Forestry course" (3.62), "My classmates are interested in taking the BS Forestry course so I decided to take it too" (3.50), "I saw Foresters who are doing their job in protecting the forest, and I want to do it too" (4.31) were deemed very important. Results also revealed a weak correlation between the profile of the respondents and the degree of importance of the different factors in students' choice for the Bachelor of Science in Forestry program of Aurora State College of Technology.