Course Syllabus

WPT 110 Wood Structure and Properties (3 Credits)

Instructor: Kenneth R. Hanson
Wood Technologist
Wood Products Workforce Development Coordinator
Forest And Wood Products Institute
Mount Wachusett Community College
444 Green Street
Gardner, Ma 01440
Tel: (978) 630-9179
Fax: (978) 630-9554
Email: khanson@mwcc.mass.edu

Introduction: By using the information recently published monthly in Wood Digest Magazine, the Internet and the Mount Wachusett Community College Blackboard Internet Delivery System, this course will introduce distance learning students to woods’ gross and 10X magnified anatomical features, to the basics of wood identification and to wood structure and properties. The understanding of wood-moisture relationships, characteristics of wood relative to shrinkage and swelling and drying defect reduction will be emphasized. Wood preservation will also be reviewed.

Instructional Objectives:

1. Identify the various elements of wood structure
2. Relate the structural anatomy of wood to its physical properties
3. Understand wood-moisture relations
4. Understand how and why wood structure and properties impact product performance and design
5. Identify locally important commercial woods
6. Become familiar with wood preservation procedures

Course Outline:

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General policies:

1. Distance learning students in WPT110 have one semester to complete the requirements of the Forest and Wood Products Institute and Wood Digest Magazine teaching system.
2. Every registered student will receive a password with which they may use to enter into the appropriate Internet sites. This password will be emailed to the student upon registration.
3. For the students benefit, you are expected to complete assignments during the week of the date requested. Any student is welcome to register for WPT110 at any time during the Fall semester schedule at no additional cost. These students are asked to make up past material as soon as possible.
4. The material and scheduling in the course outline is subject to modification.
5. The majority of the material for the period was published in Wood Digest Magazine. Students will recieve a CD with copies of articles. Those readers taking the course for college credit will need to participate on the appropriate Internet sites and complete the requirements of the course.
6. Discussion is required, expected and encouraged on the Blackboard site. This will become apparent as the student continues through the course.

Grading System: For WPT110, the grading consists of a letter grade equal to a numerical percentage derived from the points available (410) versus the points attained. The academic and grading policies are set by the college and may be viewed in the catalogue, available at your request.

Required Materials: ordering information available on Blackboard website

Text: Hoadley, R.B. Understanding Wood: A Craftsman’s Guide to Wood Technology, 2000. Taunton Press. Newtown, CT. 280 pp. (Second Edition) ISBN# 1-56158-358-8

Wood identification kit

10 power hand lens

References: Reference materials may be borrowed from your local library, the Internet or purchased from a bookstore.

Teaching Method: Students review a selection of Internet lessons, selected video tapes, CD-Rom presentations, complete homework assignments, take quizzes, exams and submit a course related, year-end paper. Weekly review and question sessions are conducted by email and Internet discussion groups with or without the course instructor.

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