Wood Sciences

Morphogenesis and fundamental processes in tree development

               Primary growth (organogenesis and elongation; cauline & root)

               Secondary growth (functioning of cambium and phellogen)

               Branching and branching patterns

               Reproduction (from flower to fruit) and reproductive phenology

Tree architecture

               Architectural models

               The concept of architectural unity

               The reiteration

               Senescence and decline

               Morphogenetic gradients

               Root architecture

               Diversity, variability, and plasticity in tree functioning and adaptation

Structure-time relationships: dendrochronological approaches      

               Phenology and chronobiology

               Primary growth, branching, flowering, and morpho-anatomical markers

               Cambial function and growth rings

               A posteriori reconstruction of tree development

Ecophysiology and functional architecture of trees             

               Mechanical support

               Root absorption (including the role of mycorrhizae)

               Conduction

               Photosynthesis

               Reserves

               Reproduction

               Trade-offs and compromises between functions

Adaptations and structure-function relationships

               Adaptation to herbivory (spines, underground stems, latex, chemical compounds, etc.)

               Resistance to pathogens (bark, latex, etc.)

               Fire resistance (bark, ability to regrow, pyrophytes, etc.)

               Drought tolerance/resistance

Wood that marks history

               Anthracology

               Dendrochronology / dendroclimatology

               Marker of vegetation, land use, climate

               Practical work: analysis of cores after drying...

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• Introduction to statistics and the scientific method

                       Scientific approach

                       Data structuring

                       Descriptive statistics

                       Overview of analysis methods

                       A critical look at statistics

• Univariate analyses

                       Comparison tests

                       Distribution compliance

                       Simple regression and analysis of variance/covariance

• Multivariate analyses

                       Correlations and principal component analysis

                       Multiple linear regression

                       Nonlinear adjustments

• Classification and discrimination

                       Classification (supervised, unsupervised)

                       Segmentation and discrimination

• Statistical analysis tools

                       Introduction to R software

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- Taxonomy/phylogeny: the concept of species               

- The origins of trees / the origins of wood - The emergence of tree-like forms, the invention of wood, and evolution   

- Development of the cambium and vascular system                          

- Diversity of woody tissues (tracheids/vessels/fibers/parenchyma)

- Anatomical features and taxonomic recognition of temperate and tropical woods                  

- Chemical composition of wood              

- Macromolecules (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, etc.) and their properties (Tg)

- Nano-structure - meso and nano-porosity, organization of cellulose microfibrils (interaction between chemical compounds)              

- Chemical composition of wood              

- Secondary metabolites (function, composition, diversity), extractables       

- Chemical composition of wood - Gums, latex, exudates, resins          

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Mechanical behavior of wood

One-dimensional elastic behavior and strength of materials (RDM) applied to structures with wooden beams and introduction to calculation codes (finite element modeling).

One-dimensional viscoelasticity and damping.

Orthotropic behavior.

Fracture behavior.

Quasi-static and vibratory measurement methods.

Wood compared to other materials (Ashby cards).

Physicochemical properties of wood

Thermal and hygroscopic properties (shrinkage-swelling), impact on elastic properties.

Relationships between structure, chemistry, and physical-mechanical behavior (from the cell wall scale to the macroscopic scale).

Sensory properties: colors, smells, touch, sound, and taste properties.

Diversity of woods and diversity of uses

Variability within a species and diversity between species (temperate, Mediterranean, tropical) in terms of physical and mechanical properties.

Woods at the interface of several categories of diversity (biological, physical-mechanical, functional, cultural), illustrated by specific uses and across different geocultural areas.

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Case studies are a stimulating part of training and learning that aim to develop not only students' knowledge, but above all the know-how and interpersonal skills of managers and executives, through real-life situations in business, industry, or research related to the forestry and wood sector. Case studies are therefore geared towards active learning by students through group reflection and discussion in a real-life situation.

The various topics of study are proposed by industrialists, professionals, researchers, and research professors. The themes of the topics are interdisciplinary, scientific, technical, or socio-economic.

To meet the client's requirements, students draw on their prior knowledge and combine it with their newly acquired knowledge. Supervised by one or more academic tutors, the group of students will be responsible for developing instructions, procedures, specifications, reports, and study findings based on the results of tests, trials, and/or surveys in order to meet the client's request. Dialogue with peers, through exchange, confrontation, or argumentation, contributes greatly to the successful completion of this project.

See the full page

 History and sociology surrounding wood

            History of wood use, from the Paleolithic era to the present day

            Myths surrounding trees and wood: storytelling tour of the Jardin des Plantes

            Wood and forests: representations and uses

Carbon and climate change

            Greenhouse effect and climate change

            Carbon footprint from forest to wood products

Economics and geopolitics of the timber industry           

            Carbon economy

            The global timber industry - Geopolitics and sustainability of timber use - Global flows

            Actors in the traditional and technical wood industry, in France and around the world

            Geopolitics of production, conflicts over land use. Value of forests compared to other uses (mining, agriculture, urban development, etc.)

Forest ecosystem services

            Biodiversity, air/water filtration, hydraulic regulator

            Welcoming the public, picking products, hunting,

            Landscape, opening/closing of environments

See the full page

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Forestry and primary processing.

^Primary and^secondary processing

Structuring of^primary processing

Growth constraints and technological consequences

Drying and hygroscopic behavior

Degradation and sustainability

See the full page

Listening comprehension—video materials, lectures, group discussions

Reading comprehension—based on articles from the scientific press

Oral expression in interaction—conferences, debates, and group work

Written expression - note-taking (reports)

See the full page

Biophysical specifications for trees

Mechanics of a shaft subjected to gravity

Shaft hydraulics

Mechanics of the shaft under external loading

Integrative biophysics of trees

Biophysical adaptations and wood quality

See the full page

Morphogenesis and fundamental processes in tree development

               Primary growth (organogenesis and elongation; cauline & root)

               Secondary growth (functioning of cambium and phellogen)

               Branching and branching patterns

               Reproduction (from flower to fruit) and reproductive phenology

Tree architecture

               Architectural models

               The concept of architectural unity

               The reiteration

               Senescence and decline

               Morphogenetic gradients

               Root architecture

               Diversity, variability, and plasticity in tree functioning and adaptation

Structure-time relationships: dendrochronological approaches      

               Phenology and chronobiology

               Primary growth, branching, flowering, and morpho-anatomical markers

               Cambial function and growth rings

               A posteriori reconstruction of tree development

Ecophysiology and functional architecture of trees             

               Mechanical support

               Root absorption (including the role of mycorrhizae)

               Conduction

               Photosynthesis

               Reserves

               Reproduction

               Trade-offs and compromises between functions

Adaptations and structure-function relationships

               Adaptation to herbivory (spines, underground stems, latex, chemical compounds, etc.)

               Resistance to pathogens (bark, latex, etc.)

               Fire resistance (bark, ability to regrow, pyrophytes, etc.)

               Drought tolerance/resistance

Wood that marks history

               Anthracology

               Dendrochronology / dendroclimatology

               Marker of vegetation, land use, climate

               Practical work: analysis of cores after drying...

See the full page

See the full page

See the full page

• Introduction to statistics and the scientific method

                       Scientific approach

                       Data structuring

                       Descriptive statistics

                       Overview of analysis methods

                       A critical look at statistics

• Univariate analyses

                       Comparison tests

                       Distribution compliance

                       Simple regression and analysis of variance/covariance

• Multivariate analyses

                       Correlations and principal component analysis

                       Multiple linear regression

                       Nonlinear adjustments

• Classification and discrimination

                       Classification (supervised, unsupervised)

                       Segmentation and discrimination

• Statistical analysis tools

                       Introduction to R software

See the full page

- Taxonomy/phylogeny: the concept of species               

- The origins of trees / the origins of wood - The emergence of tree-like forms, the invention of wood, and evolution   

- Development of the cambium and vascular system                          

- Diversity of woody tissues (tracheids/vessels/fibers/parenchyma)

- Anatomical features and taxonomic recognition of temperate and tropical woods                  

- Chemical composition of wood              

- Macromolecules (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, etc.) and their properties (Tg)

- Nano-structure - meso and nano-porosity, organization of cellulose microfibrils (interaction between chemical compounds)              

- Chemical composition of wood              

- Secondary metabolites (function, composition, diversity), extractables       

- Chemical composition of wood - Gums, latex, exudates, resins          

See the full page

Mechanical behavior of wood

One-dimensional elastic behavior and strength of materials (RDM) applied to structures with wooden beams and introduction to calculation codes (finite element modeling).

One-dimensional viscoelasticity and damping.

Orthotropic behavior.

Fracture behavior.

Quasi-static and vibratory measurement methods.

Wood compared to other materials (Ashby cards).

Physicochemical properties of wood

Thermal and hygroscopic properties (shrinkage-swelling), impact on elastic properties.

Relationships between structure, chemistry, and physical-mechanical behavior (from the cell wall scale to the macroscopic scale).

Sensory properties: colors, smells, touch, sound, and taste properties.

Diversity of woods and diversity of uses

Variability within a species and diversity between species (temperate, Mediterranean, tropical) in terms of physical and mechanical properties.

Woods at the interface of several categories of diversity (biological, physical-mechanical, functional, cultural), illustrated by specific uses and across different geocultural areas.

See the full page

Case studies are a stimulating part of training and learning that aim to develop not only students' knowledge, but above all the know-how and interpersonal skills of managers and executives, through real-life situations in business, industry, or research related to the forestry and wood sector. Case studies are therefore geared towards active learning by students through group reflection and discussion in a real-life situation.

The various topics of study are proposed by industrialists, professionals, researchers, and research professors. The themes of the topics are interdisciplinary, scientific, technical, or socio-economic.

To meet the client's requirements, students draw on their prior knowledge and combine it with their newly acquired knowledge. Supervised by one or more academic tutors, the group of students will be responsible for developing instructions, procedures, specifications, reports, and study findings based on the results of tests, trials, and/or surveys in order to meet the client's request. Dialogue with peers, through exchange, confrontation, or argumentation, contributes greatly to the successful completion of this project.

See the full page

 History and sociology surrounding wood

            History of wood use, from the Paleolithic era to the present day

            Myths surrounding trees and wood: storytelling tour of the Jardin des Plantes

            Wood and forests: representations and uses

Carbon and climate change

            Greenhouse effect and climate change

            Carbon footprint from forest to wood products

Economics and geopolitics of the timber industry           

            Carbon economy

            The global timber industry - Geopolitics and sustainability of timber use - Global flows

            Actors in the traditional and technical wood industry, in France and around the world

            Geopolitics of production, conflicts over land use. Value of forests compared to other uses (mining, agriculture, urban development, etc.)

Forest ecosystem services

            Biodiversity, air/water filtration, hydraulic regulator

            Welcoming the public, picking products, hunting,

            Landscape, opening/closing of environments

See the full page

See the full page

See the full page

Forestry and primary processing.

^Primary and^secondary processing

Structuring of^primary processing

Growth constraints and technological consequences

Drying and hygroscopic behavior

Degradation and sustainability

See the full page

Listening comprehension—video materials, lectures, group discussions

Reading comprehension—based on articles from the scientific press

Oral expression in interaction—conferences, debates, and group work

Written expression - note-taking (reports)

See the full page

Biophysical specifications for trees

Mechanics of a shaft subjected to gravity

Shaft hydraulics

Mechanics of the shaft under external loading

Integrative biophysics of trees

Biophysical adaptations and wood quality

See the full page

See the full page

See the full page

Use of timber:

Wood products for construction (solid wood, finger-jointed wood, glued laminated timber, cross-laminated timber, panels, etc.), sectors, classifications, and uses.

History of construction and contemporary architecture

Challenges and specificities of wood construction projects:

• Design: main checks on structure, envelope, acoustics, etc.
• Implementation: specific features and organization of construction sites.
• Operation: hygrothermal performance, comfort and well-being, etc.
• Longevity and end of life: life cycle analyses of buildings, recyclability, reuse.

Fine woods used in crafts such as cabinetmaking, marquetry, stringed instrument making, etc.

Uses of industrial wood: 

Wooden packaging materials (pallets, crates, tubs, etc.)

Plant-based composite materials, including wood (in products for construction, transportation, sports and leisure, design, etc.)

Wood materials in thermal insulation (loose, semi-rigid, rigid, etc.).

Functionalized wood materials (transparent wood, enhanced wood, etc.)

Resources, materials, and paper production (printing, techniques, cardboard, etc.)

See the full page

Listening comprehension—video materials, lectures, group discussions

Reading comprehension—based on articles from the scientific press

Oral expression in interaction—conferences, debates, and group work

Written expression - note-taking (reports)

See the full page

See the full page

See the full page

See the full page

See the full page

See the full page

See the full page

See the full page

See the full page

Use of timber:

Wood products for construction (solid wood, finger-jointed wood, glued laminated timber, cross-laminated timber, panels, etc.), sectors, classifications, and uses.

History of construction and contemporary architecture

Challenges and specificities of wood construction projects:

• Design: main checks on structure, envelope, acoustics, etc.
• Implementation: specific features and organization of construction sites.
• Operation: hygrothermal performance, comfort and well-being, etc.
• Longevity and end of life: life cycle analyses of buildings, recyclability, reuse.

Fine woods used in crafts such as cabinetmaking, marquetry, stringed instrument making, etc.

Uses of industrial wood: 

Wooden packaging materials (pallets, crates, tubs, etc.)

Plant-based composite materials, including wood (in products for construction, transportation, sports and leisure, design, etc.)

Wood materials in thermal insulation (loose, semi-rigid, rigid, etc.).

Functionalized wood materials (transparent wood, enhanced wood, etc.)

Resources, materials, and paper production (printing, techniques, cardboard, etc.)

See the full page

Listening comprehension—video materials, lectures, group discussions

Reading comprehension—based on articles from the scientific press

Oral expression in interaction—conferences, debates, and group work

Written expression - note-taking (reports)

See the full page

See the full page

See the full page

See the full page

See the full page

See the full page

See the full page