Monthly Subscription Starting at AED 99 + VAT
- Level Foundation
- Duration 11 hours
- Course by West Virginia University
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Offered by
About
The central question of this course: “why study wood?” If “why study wood” is the question, one answer would be that it is the only raw material available to us that is truly renewable in human life span terms. Wood is as important to society today as it ever was, despite the development of many man-made substitute materials, changing resource availability, and the changing needs of society. Some items on the list of wood products stay the same (lumber, plywood and veneer for building construction, furniture, shipping pallets & crates and other containers & packaging materials, railroad ties, utility poles, chemical feed stocks, etc), but the list also keeps changing to meet new needs and challenges as the resource changes. In short, wood is a far more diverse, green, and renewable resource than you might have imagined. Join us to learn about the important role of wood in human history, civilization, and our future. By the end of the course, learners will be able to: - describe wood as a raw material and its critical importance to the world economy, and the lives of the people that make that economy work. - identify the projected trend for wood consumption to continue to grow in the coming years, despite the image of wood as a "low tech" material. - identify the ways in which wood's properties can lead to its efficient and sustainable use. -identify wood's positive role in boosting the world economy and ability to lead to unexpected vocations.Modules
Introduction
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3
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Introduce Yourself
3
Videos
- Welcome! Why Study Wood?
- Book Recommendations
- Organization Recommendations
1
Readings
- About Names
Global Use
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5
Videos
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3
Readings
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1
Discussion
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Module 1 Quiz
1
Discussions
- Comparing Woods
5
Videos
- Forest Cover and Harvests: Part A
- Forest Cover and Harvests: Part B
- Comparing Fuel Values
- Managing Forests
- Harvesting Wood
3
Readings
- Commercial Species
- Hardwoods vs Softwoods
- Characteristics and Availability of Commercially Important Woods
Structure and Moisture Content of Wood
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3
Videos
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3
Readings
3
Videos
- Wood Structure & Moisture Content: Part A
- Wood Structure & Moisture Content: Part B
- Wood Structure & Moisture Content: Part C
3
Readings
- Moisture and Normal Wood Behavior
- Moisture Relations & Physical Properties of Wood
- Drying & Control of Moisture Content & Dimensional Changes
Other Properties of Wood
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4
Videos
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3
Readings
4
Videos
- Wood Challenges and Solutions
- Solving the Riddle
- Stress Tests
- Anisotropic Nature of Wood
3
Readings
- Wood Qualities
- Stress in Wood
- Estimating Dimensional Changes
Wood Decay and Preservation
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3
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Discussion
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Module 2 Quiz
1
Discussions
- Wood Preservation and Decay
3
Videos
- Wood Decay and Preservation: Part A
- Wood Decay and Preservation: Part B
- Wood Decay and Preservation: Part C
1
Readings
- A Rotten Shame. 1985 Phipps Conservatory Wood Repairs Need Redoing
Traditional Wood Products
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4
Videos
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2
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- The Importance of Moisture Content
4
Videos
- Andrew White: Guitar, Part A
- Andrew White: Guitar, Part B
- Andrew White: Guitar, Part C
- Solid Wood Flooring
2
Readings
- Wood Products: Introducing Andrew White
- CITES: The Lacey Act
Engineered Wood Products
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5
Videos
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2
Readings
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1
Discussion
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Module 3 Quiz
1
Discussions
- Species Availability and Wood Products
5
Videos
- Engineered Wood Flooring: Part A
- Engineered Wood Flooring: Part B
- Modern/Engineered Wood Products: Part A
- Modern/Engineered Wood Products: Part B
- Making Engineered Wood Products
2
Readings
- Engineered Wood Composites
- Historic Glued-Laminated Arches Evaluated for Structural Quality
Climate Science Basics
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2
Videos
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1
Readings
2
Videos
- Climate Science: Part A
- Climate Science: Part B
1
Readings
- Understanding the Carbon Cycle; Readings from NASA.
Life Cycle Analysis
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2
Videos
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2
Readings
2
Videos
- Life Cycle Analysis
- Life Cycle Analysis of Railroad Ties
2
Readings
- reThink Wood: Life Cycle Assessment
- CORRIM Fact Sheet: The Role of Forests, Management, and Forest Products on Carbon Mitigation
Invasive Species
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2
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Preventing, Controlling, or Using Invasive Species?
2
Videos
- Invasive Species: Part A
- Invasive Species: Part B
1
Readings
- Tree-of-Heaven: Ailanthus altissima
Other Environmental Factors
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3
Videos
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2
Readings
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Module 4 Quiz
3
Videos
- Land Use
- Impact of Supply and Demand
- Sustainable Management
2
Readings
- Demand and Sustainability
- Forests and Population Growth
Bonus: Outtakes
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1
Videos
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1
Readings
1
Videos
- Bonus: Outtakes
1
Readings
- Bonus: Outtakes
Auto Summary
Explore the versatile and sustainable world of wood in "Wood Science: Beyond Building." This foundational course, led by Coursera, dives into wood's critical role in the global economy and its future potential. Over 660 minutes, you’ll uncover wood’s diverse applications, from traditional uses like construction and furniture to innovative new roles. Perfect for those in Science & Engineering, the course offers Starter and Professional subscription options, making it accessible for all who are interested in the sustainable and economic significance of this renewable resource.
Lawrence Osborn
Jeffrey Slahor