Use the Tab and Up, Down arrow keys to select menu items.
A key management objective of forestry is the production of wood. The course provides the student with an understanding of the chemical and biological basis of the material properties of wood, how forestry can control these and the concept of wood quality. This course will have a focus on fast-growing short-rotation plantation species and tropical timber.
Sustainable societies rely on the utilisation of timber requiring an ever increasing proportion of timber. This can only be achieved by increasing fast-growing short-rotation plantations forestry, especially in tropical countries. The timber from those plantations differs greatly in its properties to that from traditionally harvested old-growth forests, often posing great challenges to the wood processing industry. Based on a general understanding of wood as a material this course will outline how wood properties are changing with the adoption of short-rotation plantations forestry regimes and explore biological and physiological causes including tropical species.
Students will:know the biological and chemical processes giving rise to the properties of wood.have an advanced understanding the key factors determining wood properties in young trees.be familiar with the timber quality of the internationally most common plantation forest species.be able to relate wood properties to the wood quality required by the wood processing industry.be able to take advantage of the opportunities (and be aware of the challenges) caused by the enormous variability of wood properties.get practical experience in assessing wood properties and draw conclusions from the analysis of the data.research and review current scientific and technical knowledge. present specialised scientific and technical topics in seminar and written formats.
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
Employable, innovative and enterprising
Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.
Biculturally competent and confident
Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.
Globally aware
Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.
Subject to approval by the Head of School.
FORE327, ENFO327
Clemens Altaner
Domestic fee $1,164.00
International Postgraduate fees
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see School of Forestry .