M1 - Wood Sciences

Morphogenesis and processes fundamental to the development of the tree

               Primary growth (organogenesis and elongation; caulinar & root)

               Secondary growth (how cambium and phellogen work)

               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 Dieback

               Morphogenetic gradients

               Root architecture

               Diversity, variability and plasticity of tree functioning and adaptation

Structure-time relations: dendrochronological approaches      

               Phenology and chronobiology

               Primary growth, branching, flowering and morpho-anatomical markers

               Cambial functioning and growth rings

               A posteriori reconstruction of the development of the tree

Ecophysiology and functional architecture of trees             

               Mechanical support

               Root absorption (incl. role of mycorrhizae)

               Conduction

               Photosynthesis

               Reserves

               Reproduction

               Trade-off and trade-offs between functions

Adaptations and structure-function relationships

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

               Resistance to pathogens (bark, latex, etc.)

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

               Drought tolerance/resistance

Wood as a marker of history

               Anthracology

               Dendrochronology / Dendroclimatology

               Marker of vegetation, uses, climate

               Practical work analysis of carrots after drying...

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• Introduction to statistics and scientific approach

                       Scientific approach

                       Data structuring

                       Descriptive statistics

                       Overview of analytical methods

                       A Critical Look at Statistics

• Univariate analyses

                       Comparison tests

                       Compliance of a distribution

                       Simple regression and variance/covariance analysis

• Multivariate Analyses

                       Correlations and principal component analysis

                       Multiple linear regression

                       Non-linear 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 the tree / the origins of wood - Appearance of tree forms, invention of wood and evolution   

- Evolution of the cambium and the vascular system                          

- Diversity of woody planes (tracheids / vessels / fibers / parenchymas)

- Anatomical traits and taxonomic recognition of temperate and tropical woods                  

- Chemical composition of wood              

- Macromolecules (Cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignins,...) 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), extractable       

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

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Mechanical behaviour of wood

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

One-dimensional visco-elasticity and damping.

Orthotropic behavior.

Behavior at breakage.

Quasi-static and vibration measurement methods.

Woods vs. other materials (Ashby maps).

Physicochemical properties of wood

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

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

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

Diversity of woods and diversity of uses

Variability within a species and diversity between species (temperate, Mediterranean, tropical) of physico-mechanical properties.

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

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The case study is a stimulating stage in training and learning which aims, through a real situation of a company, industrial sector or research, linked to the forestry-wood sector, to develop not only the knowledge of students, but above all the know-how and interpersonal skills of managers and leaders. The case study is therefore oriented towards active learning of the students through group reflection and discussion in a real situation.

The different subjects of study are proposed by industrialists, professionals and researchers and teacher-researchers. The themes of the subjects are interdisciplinary, scientific, technical, or socio-economic.

To meet the client's request, the student uses his or her previous knowledge and combines it with his or her newly acquired knowledge. Supervised by one or more pedagogical tutors, the group of students will be in charge of developing instructions, procedures, specifications, reports and study results from the results of tests, trials and/or surveys, in order to meet the client's request. Dialogue with one's peers, through exchange, confrontation or argumentation, contributes strongly to the good conduct of this project.

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 History and sociology around wood

            History of the uses of wood, from the Paleolithic to the present day

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

            Wood and the forest: 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 wood uses - Global flows

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

            Geopolitics of production, conflicts of land use. Value of the forest in relation to other uses (mining, agriculture, urban planning, etc.)

Forest ecosystem services

            Biodiversity, air/water filtering, hydraulic regulator

            Reception of the public, picking products, hunting,

            Landscape, opening/closing of environments

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Logging and primary processing.

1st^{and 2nd} processing

Structuring the 1st^{transformation}

Growth constraints and technological consequences

Drying and hygroscopic behaviour

Degradation and durability

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Listening comprehension - video supports, conferences, group exchanges

Reading comprehension - based on articles in the scientific press

Interactive Speaking - lectures, debates and group work

Writing - note-taking (reports)

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Biophysical specifications for the tree

Mechanics of the shaft subjected to gravity

Shaft hydraulics

Shaft mechanics under external loading

Integrative biophysics of the tree

Biophysical adaptations and wood quality

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