ENVS4008 Forest Products
Later Year Course
| Offered By | School of Resources Environment & Society |
|---|---|
| Academic Career | Undergraduate |
| 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 the following; Wood structure and function in the living tree. Wood quality and the effects of tree age and 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. This course is essential for all BSc (Forestry) students, but should also appeal to students taking a Degree or Diploma of Art (Wood) and anyone interested in botany, natural materials and the sustainable use of natural resources. |
| Learning Outcomes |
On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to: 1. Describe the formation of wood; the structure, composition and function of woody xylem and wood cells; and how the variety of properties within and across trees impinges on processing and drying.2. Distinguish between hardwoods and softwoods based on wood structure, 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. Describe the harvesting and manufacturing processes and issues involved in converting trees to the wide range of wood-based products in use today; and distinguish between important classes of solid products and wood-based composites. 5. Independently research and communicate a topic in wood science. |
| Indicative Assessment |
Assessment will be based on:
|
| Workload |
May include a block component in the week preceding the start of semester. |
| Areas of Interest | Resource Management and Environmental Science |
| Requisite Statement |
72 units toward a degree. |
| Incompatibility |
Incompatible with FSTY2103, FSTY2002, FSTY3016 and FSTY4151 |
| Preliminary Reading |
Bootle, K. R. Wood in Australia: types, properties and uses, McGraw-Hill, Sydney, 1983. |
| Science Group | C |
| Academic Contact | Professor Peter Kanowski and Dr Kate Semple |
The information published on the Study at ANU 2009 website applies to the 2009 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2008 website.
