Forest Biomaterials

Units: 2

This course is an introduction to research methods for MS students in the Forest Biomaterials Department. It will cover conduct of research by the scientific method, literature searching, rules for assigning credit for the work of others, basic research ethics, common laboratory practices including safety and etiquette, mentoring, experimental design, basic statistics, and analysis of data. Students will review research papers, write research papers with proper sections, and present research at the masters level. Credit is not allowed for both WPS 501 and 701.

Offered in Fall Only

Units: 3

Strategic Business Processes is designed to introduce the technically trained student to organizational, management and leadership processes that drive a successful business. The course highlights the differences between principled leadership and "opinion poll" leadership, the need to balance the conflicting wants of major stakeholders in the business, the importance of a unique strategy, the linkage between strategy and day-to-day implementation of the strategy and the ingredients and requirements for a successful career. Real time illustrations are based on the Forest Products industry.

Offered in Fall Only

Units: 3

Surface and interfacial science as related to uses of lignocellulosic materials are covered. Fundamentals of the physical chemistry of surfaces and aqueous suspensions are brought to life with examples from such fields as paper science, biomaterials science, composites, and cellulosic liquid fuels technology. Topics include colloidal stability, flocculation, surface forces, polyelectrolyte behavior, electrokinetics, capillary forces, adhesion, surfactancy, and self-assembly. Water-cellulose interactions, including wettability, swelling, and hydrogen bonding effects will be highlighted.

Offered in Spring Only

YEAR: Offered Alternate Even Years

Units: 3

Chemical principles for the Papermaking Process Engineer provides a foundation in aqueous chemistry and the applications of polyelectrolytes. The course is intended for professionals employed in the paper manufacturing industry and related industries, such as chemicals suppliers to paper manufacturers. Topics include the papermaking process, acids and bases, polymers, water-resistance, paper strength, colorants, retention and dewatering aids, deposit control, coatings, recycling, and wastewater treatment. Lectures are by CD or DVD. The course-pack, quizzes, and readings are on the web. For off-campus students. Permission of instructor required.

Offered in Fall Only

Units: 3

The course objective is to prepare students to solve problems related to chemical usage on paper machines. Subjects include paper machine operations, fibers, fillers, chemistry of additives, colloids, control of paper's interactions with liquids, strength, dyes,strategies to optimize retention, dewatering strategies, strategies to achieve more uniform paper, strategies to improve production rates, and wet-end chemical process control.

Offered in Fall Only

Units: 3

Physical models of forest biomaterials including [1] viscosity properties of biopolymer solutions and fibrous suspensions, [2] visco-elastic and thermal properties of biopolymers, [3] elastic properties of biomaterials, and [4] fibrous network properties are covered. Focus is on the scientific aspects of these topics with special applications to materials derived from forest resources.

Offered in Spring Only

Units: 3

Overview of the various aspects of conducting and interpreting an environmental life cycle analysis on a product or service. Students will learn how to construct a life cycle analysis goal and scope, inventory, assessment and interpretation. Skills in the critique and communication of a life cycle analysis will be developed. Includes an overview of the following life cycle stages: raw materials, energy, transportation, production, use, and end of life. Emphasis on systems thinking. Targeted for students in any science or engineering program. Credit not allowed for both PSE 476 and WPS 576.

GEP: Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Offered in Fall Only

Units: 1

Units: 1 - 6

Offered in Fall and Spring

Units: 1 - 6

Selected problems in the field of wood and paper science.Credits Arranged

Offered in Fall and Spring

Units: 3

Chemical reactivity, structure and functional background of forest-derived polymers relative to paper science and biomaterials/bioenergy are covered. An understanding for the relationships between a material's structure and its properties will be developed with respect to applications. Course includes a basics of polymers, biomacromolecules [carbohydrates and lignin], pulping and bleaching chemistry, new technologies and environmental issues.

Offered in Spring Only

YEAR: Offered Alternate Odd Years