220-154 Wood Science

Participants will increase their understanding of wood as a raw material. The importance and relevance of a scientific understanding of wood to the timber industry and end-user industries is examined, through an understanding of the chemical and physical structure of wood, microstructure and ultrastructure, including the development of defects and performance in demanding environments. The concept of wood quality and its impact on utility. The physical properties of wood including strength, thermal properties, electrical properties, elasticity, creep behaviour, bending, tensile strength and durability.

Generic Skills

• Effectively investigate a problem and provide solutions;

• Build initiative through self-directed studies and tasks;

• Develop the capacity to effectively and efficiently analyse problems and develop solutions.

Content

• Wood and bark structure, anatomy and ultrastructure;

• Macroscopic and microscopic features of wood;

• Tree growth and wood quality, woody cell development, reaction wood, variability of wood;

• Identification methods, growth rings and measurement of wood properties;

• Wood chemistry, extractives, collapse;

• Chemical utilisation of wood, and

• Natural characteristics and physical properties of wood.

Report of up to 2,000 words (55%) and 6 Workbook self-directed projects/activities (45% total).