Program Overview

Unit of Study FOR00106 - Wood Science and Utilisation

Unit Snapshot

• Unit type: UG Coursework Unit
• Credit points: 12
• AQF level: 7
• Level of learning: Intermediate
• Former School/College: Former School of Environment, Science and Engineering
• Enrolment information: There will be a three-day compulsory residential for all students (Online and On Campus) that will be held on the Lismore campus.

Unit Description

Introduces students to the properties of wood, how these properties are measured and the uses of wood in the human environment. This unit also examines how wood properties can be influenced by forest management practices.

Unit Content

• Topic 1: Introduction to materials science
• Topic 2: Tree physiology, wood chemistry and anatomy
• Topic 3: Energy and fuels
• Topic 4: Wood properties and wood products
• Topic 5: Managing wood quality
• Topic 6: Wood density
• Topic 7: Hygro-mechanical properties
• Topic 8: Mechanical properties
• Topic 9: Degradation
• Topic 10: Wood modification

Availabilities

Not currently available in 2020

Learning Outcomes and Graduate Attributes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

On Completion of This Unit, Students Should Be Able To:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the broad differences in material properties, manufacturing methods, utilisation, and recycling of renewable biomaterials, compared to other common materials such as metals, ceramics and plastics
   • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
2. Identify the general chemistry and anatomy of the major classes of woody plants
   • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
3. Identify the properties of wood that contribute to utility/value, how they are expressed and how they are measured in the field and in a laboratory
   • GA2: Creativity
   • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
   • GA6: Communication and social skills
4. Explain the connection between the features of a standing tree, the variation that occurs within a forest, and the impacts these have on utilisation
   • GA2: Creativity
   • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
   • GA6: Communication and social skills
5. Recognise the methods applied to managing wood properties during the production cycle of a forest
   • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
   • GA6: Communication and social skills
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of conversion of forest products to renewable consumer goods, fuels and energy
   • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Graduate Attributes

• GA1: Intellectual rigour - A commitment to excellence in all scholarly and intellectual activities, including critical judgement.
• GA2: Creativity - An ability to develop creative and effective responses to intellectual, professional and social challenges.
• GA3: Ethical practice - A commitment to sustainability and high ethical standards in social and professional practices.
• GA4: Knowledge of a discipline - Command of a discipline to enable a smooth transition and contribution to professional and community settings.
• GA5: Lifelong learning - The ability to be responsive to change, to be inquiring and reflective in practice, through information literacy and autonomous, self-managed learning.
• GA6: Communication and social skills - The ability to communicate and collaborate with individuals, and within teams, in professional and community settings.
• GA7: Cultural competence - An ability to engage with diverse cultural and Indigenous perspectives in both global and local settings.