Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

During the course students are introduced to the raw material properties of wood and the key industrial processes in which wood is used.

After completing the course, the student:
• knows the possibilities of using wood raw material in various products
• is aware of the key wood processing processes, the types of timber sortiments used in them, the efficiency of usage, and the requirements set by processes and their end products for wood raw material
• is familiar with legislation regarding timber measurement and can take its requirements into account in their own activities
• is acquainted with essential timber measurement methods
• can acquire necessary professional information and compile a report in his/her field of expertise

Content (course unit)

Wood utilization in the forest industry. Key industrial processing processes of wood (wood product industry, chemical forest industry, wood energy use) and the resulting products and by-products. Finnish wood as a renewable raw material and the requirements set by different processing processes for wood raw material. Wood utilization in energy production. Wood structure and properties. Physics related to wood properties (e.g., moisture, calorific value, elasticity, strength). Timber measurement and quality requirements. Cutting wood into timber species. Timber measurement legislation and methods, and practical roadside measurement. Teaching information retrieval. Report writing.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student:
- knows the main manufacturing processes in the forest industry and the main product groups produced in these processes.
- knows the possibilities of using different timber species in various processing sectors.
- is aware of the main timber species used in Finland and the quality factors set by different processing processes for timber species.
- is familiar with the legal requirements for timber measurement.
- knows the key timber measurement methods
- can seek information in his/her professional field.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

In addition to satisfactory competence, the student:
- is aware of the main industrial processing processes of wood and the products and by-products produced in them.
- knows the requirements for wood raw materials in the main wood processing processes.
- knows the use of different measurement methods in various stages of timber procurement.
- can utilize acquired professional information when preparing reports.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

In addition to satisfactory and good levels, the student:
- can calculate the efficiency of wood raw material use in the main processing processes, for products and by-products.
- is familiar with the essential physical properties of wood raw material and understands how these affect industrial wood use, and comprehends how various factors impact timber use in different manufacturing processes.
- knows the effects of different wood raw material properties on end products in the main processes.
- is aware of the development needs in timber measurement.
- can utilize acquired professional information when preparing reports, considering source criticism, and can make source references and a bibliography.

Assessment scale

0-5