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Course Details |
Fees and Dates
| Offered By: |
Fenner School |
| Academic Career: |
Graduate Coursework |
| Course Subject: |
Environmental Science |
| Offered in: |
Second Semester, 2010 |
| Unit Value: |
6 units |
| Course Description: |
The informed use of wood is a key element in the development of sustainable forestry systems. This introductory course examines the structure and properties of wood and processing of wood from plantations and sustainably managed forests. Topics covered in lectures include:
Wood structure and function in the living tree
Wood quality and the effects of tree age
Plantation management on wood quality
Shrinkage and swelling of wood and timber drying
Deterioration of timber by fungi, bacteria, insects (beetles and termites) and marine organisms (molluscs and crustaceans)
Natural durability of wood and wood preservation
Processing of timber in the solid form and manufacture of bio- based composites (i.e., sawn timber, preservative treated timber, plywood, particleboard)
Laboratory practicals are intended to develop skills in wood identification and the assessment of wood quality in plantations. Field trips will be undertaken to familiarise students with industries that process timber. Two additional seminars are to be scheduled. Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but are assessed separately. |
| Learning Outcomes: |
On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to: 1. Describe the formation of wood (structure, composition and function of woody xylem and wood cells) and recognise how xylem varies within trees and how this impinges on processing and drying.
2. Distinguish between hardwoods and softwoods based on wood anatomical features, and identify common commercial species or genera of hardwoods and softwoods.
3. Explain the history and importance of wood in human civilisations, and critically compare the properties and sustainability of wood-based materials in contrast to inorganic, metallic and synthetic materials.
4. Identify the main types and applications of solid products and wood-based composites in common use today, and describe the manufacturing processes and issues involved in converting logs to the major kinds of wood-based products in use today.
5. Independently research and communicate a topic in wood science/conversion and utilisation, including critically reviewing the scientific literature on a selected topic reporting on whether there is consensus or digression of theories or view points in the field, and identifying any remaining knowledge gaps to be filled. |
| Indicative Assessment: |
Assessment will be based on: Field trip report portfolio (15%; LO 4 ) Wood identification test (35%; LO 1, 2 ) Oral audio-visual presentation (10%; LO 3, 5) Individual research essay (40%; LO 3, 4, 5 )
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| Workload: |
65 contact hours; may include an intensive component in some weeks of the semester. |
| Course Classification(s): |
and |
| Areas of Interest: |
Resource Management and Environmental Science |
| Eligibility: |
Bachelor degree; general science knowledge |
| Preliminary Reading: |
Bootle, K. R. Wood in Australia: types, properties and uses, McGraw-Hill, Sydney, 1983.
Wilson, K., & White, D.J.B. The Anatomy of Wood, Its Diversity and Variability, Stobart, London, 1986. |
| Programs: |
Master of Environment |
| Academic Contact: |
Professor Peter Kanowski and Dr Kate Semple |
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