Wood Science and Engineering (WSE)
WSE 111, WOOD INNOVATIONS FOR SUSTAINABILITY, 2 Credits
Explores renewable materials and their current applications in society. Covers a breadth of renewable materials use and exposes students to life-cycle thinking.
WSE 112, SANDING AND FINISHING WOOD PRODUCTS, 2 Credits
Explores sanding and finishing techniques, grounded in a foundation of wood anatomy. Discusses changes in wood on a micro scale through sanding and application of finishes as well as reviews types of sandpaper, sanding tools, types of finishes, and basic finish chemistry. Demonstrates proper sanding techniques and how to select and apply appropriate finishes for different types of woodwork. Explains and examines health risks associated with sanding and finishing. Identifies appropriate PPE to carry out safe practices.
Available via Ecampus
WSE 210, *BIOLOGY, STRUCTURE, AND UTILIZATION OF WOODY PLANTS, 4 Credits
Recognizes common plant-based materials commonly used to meet our fiber needs and products that are manufactured from these materials. Describes their growth, the various cell types that constitute plants we frequently utilize, and their arrangements within a stem. Describes important physical and mechanical properties of renewable materials and differences among different plant-based materials, in terms of their fiber characteristics and properties. Distinguishes variety of renewable material based products are from those manufactured from wood.
Attributes: CPPS – Bacc Core, Perspectives, Physical Science
Available via Ecampus
WSE 211, WOODTURNING WITH SCIENCE I, 4 Credits
An introduction to scientific woodturning. Students will get a grounding in tools, lathes, sharpening, and set-up, and then will transition into turning basic forms (spindle and bowl). Particular relevance will be placed upon grain orientation, wood moisture content, wood anatomy, wood chemistry, wood species and extractive effects, and how all of these attributed affect both form and function.
Equivalent to: ART 211
This course is repeatable for 8 credits.
WSE 225, BUILDING DESIGN INNOVATION WITH WOOD, 3 Credits
Critically examines basics of building design and the relevant technical requirements, the solutions available and the specific applications, with a focus on wood-based products and other ligno-cellulosic materials. Examines material properties and product specifications to evaluate and choose a given material for a specific application, adopting quantitative and qualitative criteria. Explores principles of sustainable design, with a focus on the impact of materials and products. Focuses on multi-disciplinary aspects of building design and construction that facilitate communication between manufacturers, architects, engineers, and clients.
WSE 240, FUNGAL DECAY IN YOUR WORLD, 4 Credits
Examines processes of fungal decay which will be used as a template to describe fundamental biological principles including transcription, translation, DNA replication and cell division, cellular energy production and metabolic pathways. Describes microscopic, molecular and biochemical processes of fungal decay of common commodities used in day-to-day life by humans. Enables the recognition of fungal processes in the human world. Analyzes real-world fungal decay phenomena encountered in day-to-day life.
Available via Ecampus
WSE 250, COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN OF WOOD PRODUCTS, 3 Credits
Provides students with the tools and techniques to design and render products, furniture, and structures using Solidworks, as well as create technical drawings that facilitate communication between designers, engineers, and clients. Develops techniques that are applicable to a wide variety of industrial CAD and product design industries worldwide.
WSE 266, HEMPOLOGY: THE INDUSTRIAL HEMP STORY, 3 Credits
Introduces the botany, biology and agronomy of the hemp plant, and the origins, historical contexts and implications of contemporary legal and social issues surrounding its use for food, fiber, and building products.
Available via Ecampus
WSE 299, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
WSE 320, ANATOMY OF WOODY PLANTS, 3 Credits
Describe the anatomy of plant-based materials commonly used by society. Recognize cell types present in the stem and bark of commercially important plants and their origins. Describe the function of cell types in hardwoods, softwoods and monocots. Identify common North American hardwoods and softwoods based on macro- and microscopic features.
Prerequisite: WSE 210 with C or better
WSE 321, WOOD CHEMISTRY, 3 Credits
Emphasizes chemical structures and chemical properties of renewable plant-based materials, especially wood, at the molecular level. Covers chemical compositions of different renewable materials. Discusses chemical and biochemical modifications and applications of renewable materials.
Prerequisite: CH 122 with D- or better or CH 202 with D- or better or CH 232 with D- or better or CH 232H with D- or better
WSE 322, PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF WOOD, 4 Credits
Examines fundamental physics and mechanics as they apply to plant fibers, solid wood and bio-based composites, with focus on hygroscopicity, heat & mass transport, elasticity and strength of materials, and other mechanical properties. Emphasizes aspects of general physical and mechanical theories and models, less commonly covered in general physics or engineering mechanics classes, but necessary in description of complex materials obtained from forest and agricultural biomass.
WSE 324, PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF WOOD PRACTICUM, 4 Credits
Introduces basic lab routines, explains fundamental concepts of physical measurements and testing, relevant to integrated knowledge from WSE 321 and WSE 322. Provides fundamental lab literacy, basic understanding on practical interpretation and use of standards, provides deeper understanding of how chemistry, physics, and anatomy affect material properties of wood and wood-based materials. Uses wood and a range of wood-based materials such as hardwoods, softwoods, wood fibers, composite wood products (e.g., CLT, LVL, OSB, plywood, MDF, wood-plastic composites, paper, etc.) to examine the intricate relationships between fundamental properties and performance.
WSE 350, WOOD PRODUCTS STUDIO, 4 Credits
Explore fundamental woodworking from a furniture design perspective. Evaluate rough milled wood for best cuts and develop cut lists and designs for basic frame and panel furniture. Explore common joinery techniques and finishes. Analyze the relationships between wood extractives, wood grain direction, wood density, and construction techniques. Demonstrate proficiency in all major woodworking machines by squaring up stock and milling boards to precise dimensions. Demonstrate cause and effect relationships between wood and water in functional design. Design and produce a unique final furniture product.
Recommended: WSE 112
WSE 385, *EVALUATING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS, 3 Credits
With increased focus on sustainability, it has become important to quantify a sustainability metric of a material, process, or a system. To that end an understanding of life cycle analysis (LCA) is needed that can be used to determine a sustainability metric. This Ecampus course presents the use of LCA to gain insights on the environmental and social impacts of the choices we make. (Bacc Core Course)
Attributes: CSST – Bacc Core, Synthesis, Science/Technology/Society
Available via Ecampus
WSE 392, *BAMBOOLOOZA: THE FASCINATING WORLD OF BAMBOO, 3 Credits
An exploration of the world of bamboo and its application to renewable products. This course provides an in-depth understanding of a renewable material bamboo from its native form to processed products. Additionally, this course discusses the utilization and perception of bamboo in different societies of the world. Taught via Ecampus only. (Bacc Core Course)
Attributes: CSST – Bacc Core, Synthesis, Science/Technology/Society
Available via Ecampus
WSE 399, SPECIAL TOPICS, 0-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
WSE 401, RESEARCH, 1-16 Credits
Equivalent to: FP 401
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
WSE 403, THESIS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
WSE 405, READING AND CONFERENCE, 1-16 Credits
Equivalent to: FP 405
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
WSE 406, PROJECTS, 1-16 Credits
Equivalent to: FP 406
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
WSE 410, WSE INTERNSHIP, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
WSE 413, WOODTURNING WITH SCIENCE II, 4 Credits
An in-depth look at how character in wood (figure, spalting, knots, etc.) affects machinability and output in both functional and aesthetic turning. Students will work with a wide range of spalted wood types and figure across numerous species while working on advanced turning forms. Particular emphasis will be placed upon how figure affects grain orientation, how spalting affects density and stability, and how the challenges with character wood can be overcome without specialty tools.
Prerequisite: WSE 210 with C- or better and WSE 211 [C-]
Equivalent to: ART 413
This course is repeatable for 8 credits.
WSE 417, INTRODUCTION TO SCULPTURAL WOODTURNING, 4 Credits
Explore traditional woodturning styles from around the world. Synthesize styles from the North American Studio Woodturning Movement. Modify current styles with personal aesthetics to create studio woodturning work. Recognize the differences between craft, professional, and studio woodturning.
WSE 418, INTEGRATED SCULPTURAL WOODTURNING, 4 Credits
Synthesize personal style with historic work during object creation. Develop an independent sculptural style. Distinguish craft from sculptural work and the markets that support them. Investigate marketing opportunities based upon your style of work. Develop appropriate products for such spaces. Assemble a cohesive website and marketing plan in which you could thrive as an independent artist.
Prerequisite: WSE 417 with C- or better
WSE 425, TIMBER TECTONICS IN THE DIGITAL AGE, 4 Credits
An exploration of the advances in design, construction and fabrication of timber buildings. Includes experimentation with both physical and digital models and a final project, in collaboration with UO Architecture students.
Recommended: Junior standing and knowledge of CAD
WSE 430, FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGINEERING MECHANICS, 4 Credits
An introduction to fundamentals of engineering mechanics for RM students selecting Science and Engineering option. While in most aspects the course follows standard introductory mechanics courses for engineers, special attention is paid to elasticity and strength in cellular and anisotopic materials like solid wood and bio-based composites. The overall objective of this course is to provide fundamental knowledge and practical skills in the area of engineering mechanics and mechanical principles behind some of the most important methods of characterization, processing, and utilization of renewable biomaterials; commonly used today, emerging and future.
Prerequisite: (MTH 254 with D- or better or MTH 254H with D- or better) and WSE 324 [B-]
WSE 444, STRAND-BASED COMPOSITES MANUFACTURE, 1 Credit
The strand-based composites manufacturing process uses the results of research projects and the instructor's mill experience. All aspects of the process from wood procurement through pressing are discussed. This course will be valuable to those interested in a manufacturing career.
Available via Ecampus
WSE 453, ^FOREST PRODUCTS BUSINESS, 3 Credits
Provides students with the skills necessary to operate effectively in the global forest products industry.
Attributes: CSWC – Core Ed - Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC); CWIC – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC)
WSE 455, INDUSTRIAL MARKETING OF WOOD PRODUCTS, 3 Credits
Focuses on the written and oral communication skills necessary to apply basic concepts of marketing forest products. Critically examines real-world examples via guest industry speakers, relating coursework to the day-to-day work in business.
WSE 457, WOOD PRODUCTS SALES, 3 Credits
Introduces basic business practices in the wood products industry. Examines major product categories of the wood products industry and their applications. Explores the specific practices associated with selling wood products. Examines in-depth, the products and terminology unique to the sector, including export sales. Introduces the breadth of sales positions across the industry.
WSE 461, INTRODUCTION TO WOOD PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING, 4 Credits
First of a three-term series exploring technologies and management practices associated with manufacturing products from wood and other renewable materials. Covers major processing steps for the conversion of raw materials into products. Emphasizes major processing steps, equipment, and the impact of material properties on processing strategies.
Prerequisite: WSE 210 with C- or better
WSE 462, ADVANCED WOOD MANUFACTURING 1, 4 Credits
Second of a three-term series exploring technologies and management practices associated with manufacturing products from wood and other renewable materials. Explores advanced technologies and management practices associated with wood products manufacturing processes. Emphasizes process design, quality control, and continuous process improvement.
Prerequisite: WSE 461 with C- or better
WSE 463, ADVANCED MANUFACTURING 2, 4 Credits
Third of a three-term series exploring technologies and management practices associated with manufacturing products from wood and other renewable materials. Subjects covered include process control, optimization, automation, and contemporary topics such as Big Data and the Internet of Things and the potential impacts of the trends on manufacturing enterprises.
Prerequisite: WSE 462 with C- or better
WSE 465, WOOD PRODUCTS FIELD SCHOOL, 2 Credits
Provides first-hand experience of range of diverse wood products related industrial and commercial operations representing many parts of the renewable materials value chain. Provides insight into diversity in products and services, modes and scales of manufacturing operations related to wood products. Includes daily travel to industrial plants, mills workshops, art and craft studios, or related businesses and at least one overnight stay.
This course is repeatable for 4 credits.
WSE 470, *FORESTS, WOOD, AND CIVILIZATION, 3 Credits
Multidisciplinary examination of issues related to the roles of forests, trees, and wood in civilization, as providers of commodities, ecosystem services, and spiritual and artistic inspiration. Issues include global supply and demand, wood ownership and political power, and perceptions and uses of forest resources in different societies. (Bacc Core Course)
Attributes: CSGI – Bacc Core, Synthesis, Contemporary Global Issues
Equivalent to: WSE 470H
Available via Ecampus
WSE 471, RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS, 3 Credits
Explores material selection options, applications, and performance characteristics. Covers residential construction methods, including green building concepts, building codes, and project planning. Introduces concepts and interpretation of life cycle assessment.
WSE 492, FOREST TO FRAME: MASS TIMBER, 3 Credits
Critically examines the benefits of using mass timber with particular emphasis on its raw materials, manufacturing process, and engineering properties. Applies fundamental engineering concept to design gravity and lateral systems with mass timber including new innovations like hybrid structures. Integrates durability attributes, environmental, and social impacts to holistically analyze mass timber design within entire supply chain. CROSSLISTED as CCE 492/WSE 492.
Equivalent to: CCE 492
WSE 499, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 99 credits.
WSE 501, RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP, 1-16 Credits
Equivalent to: FP 501
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
WSE 503, THESIS, 1-16 Credits
Equivalent to: FP 503
This course is repeatable for 999 credits.
WSE 505, READING AND CONFERENCE, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
WSE 506, PROJECTS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
WSE 507, SEMINAR, 1 Credit
Equivalent to: FP 507
This course is repeatable for 99 credits.
WSE 513, WOODTURNING WITH SCIENCE II, 4 Credits
An in-depth look at how character in wood (figure, spalting, knots, etc.) affects machinability and output in both functional and aesthetic turning. Students will work with a wide range of spalted wood types and figure across numerous species while working on advanced turning forms. Particular emphasis will be placed upon how figure affects grain orientation, how spalting affects density and stability, and how the challenges with character wood can be overcome without specialty tools.
This course is repeatable for 12 credits.
WSE 516, INTRODUCTION TO SCULPTURAL WOODTURNING, 4 Credits
Explore traditional woodturning styles from around the world. Synthesize styles from the North American Studio Woodturning Movement. Modify current styles with personal aesthetics to create studio woodturning work. Recognize the differences between craft, professional, and studio woodturning.
Prerequisite: WSE 513 with B or better
This course is repeatable for 12 credits.
WSE 525, TIMBER TECTONICS IN THE DIGITAL AGE, 4 Credits
An exploration of the advances in design, construction and fabrication of timber buildings. Includes experimentation with both physical and digital models and a final project, in collaboration with UO Architecture students.
Recommended: Knowledge of CAD
WSE 526, STRUCTURAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT/MONITORING OF TIMBER BUILDINGS, 3 Credits
Holistic approaches for the evaluation of the performance of timber systems and structures in a building. Learn about the tools available to experts for different analysis purposes, and to understand how data acquired from different techniques can be analyzed and used to inform building management and maintenance, fabrication and construction practices, and future design.
WSE 540, INTRODUCTION TO WOOD SCIENCE & ENGINEERING, 2 Credits
Explores the breadth of wood sciences by exposing students to faculty expertise on wood properties and products. Analyzes key concepts/issues associated with wood science. Examines basics of wood products in relation to markets and trade.
WSE 541, WOOD STRUCTURE, 3 Credits
Identifies and explores common North American species utilized to meet our fiber needs. Describes their growth, cell types present, and arrangements within a stem at the macro- and micro-level. Reviews the polymers (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) that form plant cell walls and their roles in determining wood properties. Describes various types of abnormal wood and how they influence wood and product properties. Examines the interaction of wood and water as is the impact of wood structure on properties and transport phenomena.
Recommended: College-level introductory courses on General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry
WSE 542, SCIENTIFIC METHODOLOGY IN PLANNING RESEARCH PROJECTS, 2 Credits
Provides basic theoretical knowledge and practical skills related to scientific methodology and planning as they apply to conduct graduate projects in technical sciences and engineering. Explains why we employ the methods that we do, why these decisions are important, and how they impact final results. Provides training in research ethics to be able to conduct scholarly and professional activities in an ethical manner.
WSE 543, FOREST SECTOR BUSINESS & SUSTAINABILITY, 2 Credits
Explores at multiple levels the complex confluence of forests, business, and sustainability. Critically analyzes the idiosyncratic context of the forest sector, prominent pathways to managing forest-dependent businesses, and the contribution of forest sector businesses to achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Examines markets for forest products and the companies that cater to those markets.
WSE 544, WOOD CHEMISTRY, 2 Credits
Explores the chemical makeup of lignocellulosic materials with a specific focus on wood. Critically analyzes products that can be made from renewable raw materials. Examines processes required to manufacture paper and wood chemical products.
Prerequisite: WSE 541 with C or better
Recommended: College-level introductory courses on general chemistry and organic chemistry
WSE 545, WOOD PHYSICS, 2 Credits
Examines fundamental physics as applied to plant fibers, solid wood and bio-based composites, with focus on hygroscopicity, heat & mass transport, and synthesis and application of principles to practical examples such as in wood drying or hot pressing. Explores general physical and mechanical theories and models are used to describe the behavior of biomaterials to the same degree as to all other materials. Explores the complexity of materials obtained from forest and agricultural biomass, including discussion of certain aspects of physical models and theories not commonly covered in general physics classes.
Prerequisite: WSE 541 with C or better
WSE 546, WOOD MECHANICS, 2 Credits
Explores at multiple levels the complex structure of wood and how it influences mechanical properties. Analyzes load response, stress, strain, and directional complexities. Critically examines mechanics of engineered wood composites, its strengths and weaknesses, in relationship to other commonly used building materials.
Prerequisite: WSE 541 with C or better
WSE 547, WOOD BIODETERIORATION & PRESERVATION, 2 Credits
Examines wood biodeterioration, biodegradation, and various method for their prevention. Describes the biotic and abiotic agents of wood decay and requires students to compare and contrast them with respect to their impacts on wood. Describes the chemical properties and mode of action of common wood preservatives, wood protection systems, and wood modification technologies. Synthesizes base knowledge in wood preservative technology into novel creative methods for wood protection or environmental risk mitigation.
Prerequisite: WSE 541 with C or better
Recommended: Background knowledge in basic chemistry, introductory biology, and organic chemistry
WSE 548, WOOD IDENTIFICATION, 2 Credits
Explores and identifies the microanatomy of common commercial hardwoods and softwoods from around the world. Identifies key features in target wood species used in morphological identification. Evaluates the anatomy of differing wood species. Models the use of paper and digital databases for wood identification. Reviews current genetic and alternative methods wood identification.
Prerequisite: WSE 541 with C or better
WSE 553, FOREST PRODUCTS BUSINESS, 3 Credits
Provides students with the skills necessary to operate effectively in the global forest products industry.
WSE 558, WOOD DESIGN, 4 Credits
Study of basic wood properties and design considerations. Design and behavior of wood connectors, beams, columns and beam columns. Introduction to plywood and glued laminated members. Analysis and design of structural diaphragms and shear walls. CROSSLISTED as CE 584/WSE 558.
Equivalent to: CE 584
WSE 561, INTRODUCTION TO WOOD PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING, 4 Credits
First of a three-term series exploring technologies and management practices associated with manufacturing products from wood and other renewable materials. Covers major processing steps for the conversion of raw materials into products. Emphasizes major processing steps, equipment, and the impact of material properties on processing strategies.
Recommended: WSE 210
WSE 562, ADVANCED WOOD MANUFACTURING 1, 4 Credits
Second of a three-term series exploring technologies and management practices associated with manufacturing products from wood and other renewable materials. Explores advanced technologies and management practices associated with wood products manufacturing processes. Emphasizes process design, quality control, and continuous process improvement.
Prerequisite: WSE 561 with C or better
WSE 563, ADVANCED MANUFACTURING 2, 4 Credits
Third of a three-term series exploring technologies and management practices associated with manufacturing products from wood and other renewable materials. Subjects covered include process control, optimization, automation, and contemporary topics such as Big Data and the Internet of Things and the potential impacts of the trends on manufacturing enterprises.
Recommended: WSE 462
WSE 571, RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS, 3 Credits
Explores material selection options, applications, and performance characteristics. Covers residential construction methods, including green building concepts, building codes, and project planning. Introduces concepts and interpretation of life cycle assessment.
WSE 573, BIOENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, 3 Credits
Explores world's use of woody biomass fuels, their potential to contribute to our region's energy supply, and conversion technologies such as direct combustion, pyrolysis, and thermochemical modification. Examines emissions and other environmental impacts of utilizing renewable materials to generate energy and manufacture products.
Recommended: (MTH 111Z or MTH 112Z or MTH 231 or MTH 241 or MTH 245 or MTH 251) and (CH 122 or CH 232)
WSE 592, ADVANCED WOOD DESIGN, 4 Credits
Study of advanced concepts in wood properties and design. Design and analysis of specialty wood connectors. Design of wood members for adverse conditions including fire design. Common failure mechanisms and forensic engineering concepts. Design for durability. Lec/lab.
Recommended: Understanding of basic concepts in mechanics and timber design
WSE 599, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 99 credits.
WSE 601, RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP, 1-16 Credits
Equivalent to: FP 601
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
WSE 603, THESIS, 1-16 Credits
Equivalent to: FP 603
This course is repeatable for 999 credits.
WSE 605, READING AND CONFERENCE, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
WSE 606, PROJECTS, 1-16 Credits
Equivalent to: FP 606
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
WSE 607, SEMINAR, 1 Credit
Section 1: Beginning Seminar. Section 2: Graduate Seminar.
Equivalent to: FP 607
This course is repeatable for 99 credits.
WSE 699, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.