220-157 Wood Biodeteriorating Agents

220-152 Wood Processing and Products, and 220-270 Wood Science

The topics covered in these subjects include the biology of wood decay fungi and wood destroying insects. This will enable the student to understand the behaviour, anatomy and physiology of the biological agents.

The subject covers the areas of:

• an introduction to general insects' biology and taxonomy;

• biology of fungi, termites, wood borers and marine borers;

• taxonomic characteristics of fungi, termites and wood borers;

• the effect of moisture on behaviour of fungi, termites and wood borers;

• environmental factors affecting insect foraging and reproduction;

• moulting, formation and pigmentation of the cuticle, and function of the cuticle.

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• describe the taxonomic features of the economic important fungi, ­termites, wood borers and marine borers;

• understand biodiversity of fungi, termites, wood borers and marine ­borers;

• understand the breakdown of cellulose and lignin by termites, fungi, and borers;

• understand the basic anatomy and physiology of fungi, termites, wood borers and marine borers.

A report of up to 2000 words (55%) and six Workbook self-directed projects/activities (45% total).