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Unit Summary

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

Unit aim

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

Learning outcomes

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. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
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
2 identify the general chemistry and anatomy of the major classes of woody plants
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
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
5 recognise the methods applied to managing wood properties during the production cycle of a forest
6 demonstrates an understanding of the principles of conversion of forest products to renewable consumer goods, fuels and energy.

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:
  2. identify the general chemistry and anatomy of the major classes of woody plants
    • GA4:
  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:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
  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:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
  5. recognise the methods applied to managing wood properties during the production cycle of a forest
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
  6. demonstrates an understanding of the principles of conversion of forest products to renewable consumer goods, fuels and energy.
    • GA4: