New minor: Aalto Wood
For students in any field interested in wood!
Wood science teaching
Wood science is taught by the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems at the School of Chemical Engineering.
Bioproduct engineering
Wood science and technology teaching has a homebase in the Master’s Programme of Bioproduct Engineering organised by the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems. The program includes compulsory courses (25 ECTS) which are complemented by studies selected from four study paths including the Wood Technology path. The core learning outcome of the Wood technology path is to understand wood as an engineering material from the macroscopic to the molecular level. Most of the wood science courses are open for students in all fields and are listed below.
Wood science and technology teaching is continually being developed under the supervision of Professors Lauri Rautkari and Mark Hughes and Senior University Lecturer Kristiina Lillqvist to ensure that students are given the most up-to-date education in this rapidly evolving field. In recent years, the focus has been in developing high-quality online-learning opportunities to enable sharing of the wood science knowledge to large audiences. The learnings gained from these courses is deepened with renewed on-site lab courses.
Courses 2024-2025
These courses provided by the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems also form the main part of Aalto Wood minor and the Wood technology path. All of the online courses are also available at FiTech. The courses are taught in English.
The course presents the role of wood and forests in the carbon cycle. Basic properties of wood material are covered, as well as processing from forest to different applications, such as construction. More details of the content in Sisu.
Learners outside Aalto, please register through FiTech.
The course runs two times a year:
- Period V (21 Apr – 8 Jun 2025)
- Period I (Sep – Oct 2025)
Open for all. The course is completed remotely.
No prerequisites.
The course dives into the material science of wood, covering topics such as structure and anatomy, wood formation and wood and water interactions. Students will learn how the macroscopic and molecular structure of wood affects its physical and mechanical properties. More details of the course content in Sisu.
Learners outside Aalto, please register through FiTech.
Period III (6 Jan – 14 Feb 2025)
Open for all. The course is completed remotely.
No prerequisites (recommended CHEM-C2470 Forests, Wood and Carbon, 5 cr).
The course complements the theoretical understanding about wood gained in CHEM-E2225: Wood Materials Science, by introducing students to practical experimental work related to wood and wood products. The course is primarily laboratory-based, with some lectures. More details of the course content in Sisu.
Period IV (25.2. – 4.4.2025)
Max. number of students 20. The course includes compulsory on site lab work.
Compulsory prerequisite: CHEM-E2225: Wood Materials Science.
This course covers the basic principles of wood mechanics and the use of wood and wood-based products from the perspective of mechanical behavior. Through this course, students will appreciate the complex nature of wood and learn how to analyze the mechanical properties for design and application purposes. More details of the course content in Sisu.
Learners outside Aalto, please register through FiTech.
Period IV (25.2. – 4.4.2025)
Open for all. The course is completed remotely.
No prerequisites (recommended CHEM-E2225 Wood Material Science 5 cr which can be done in the same period IV).
The course presents the most relevant wood-based products, their production processes, properties and typical applications. More details of the course content in Sisu.
Learners outside Aalto, please register through FiTech.
Period V (14 April – 6 Jun 2025)
Open for all. The course is completed remotely.
No prerequisites (recommended CHEM-C2470 Forests, Wood and Carbon, 5 cr and CHEM-E2225 Wood Material Science 5 cr).
The course presents advanced analytical techniques to examine the material properties of wood and wood-based materials, e.g. numerical methods, DVS, FTIR, Raman microscopy, etc. More details of the course content in Sisu.
Period II (next time in fall 2025)
Max. number of students 20. The course includes compulsory on site lab work.
Compulsory prerequisites: CHEM-E2225 Wood material science 5 cr and CHEM-E2235 Wood products and processes 5 cr, or equivalent knowledge.
You can reach the wood science teaching staff by email: [email protected]
The department also offers other courses with strong links to wood science and technology, such as:
- CHEM-E1180 Plant Resources (5 credits, I period)
- CHEM-E1170 Introduction to Sustainability in the Bioeconomy D (5 cr, I-II)
- CHEM-E1175 Sustainability Assessments for Bioproducts (5 cr, IV-V)
- CHEM-E2122 Fibre Processes (5 cr, II)
- CHEM-E2123 Characterization of Bio-based Materials (5 cr, I-II)
- CHEM-E2121 Surface Chemistry of Bio-based Materials (5 cr, I)
Aalto Wood minor
Aalto Wood minor is available for students in any field. After completing the minor, students will understand the fundamentals of wood as an engineering material and know the range, functions and possible applications of products made from wood. The courses in the Aalto Wood minor are partly the same as in the Wood technology path of the Bioproducts engineering Master's programme with additional courses on wood architecture, wood design and timber engineering.
The course selection of the minor from different department reflects the Aalto Wood community - a group of professors, scientists and teachers providing a melting point for multidisciplinary research and education between the departments of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Bioproducts and Biosystems. Aalto Wood collaboration aims to advance high-quality and sustainable use of wood in the living environment for a low-carbon future.
Related content
Online course “Wood products and processes” starts 27.2.2023
Learn 100% online the links between wood product properties and typical applications in the living environment.
Improved wood
Finland is known for its wood. The Wood Material Science research group, led by Lauri Rautkari, is, as its name suggests, focused on wood, which is perhaps more interesting now than ever.
Wood Material Technology
Group led by Professor Mark Hughes
Wood Material Science
Group led by Professor Lauri Rautkari
Online course "Forests, wood and carbon" available for all in Aalto Open University
You may follow the course independently during May 2023.
Investments in wood competence
Significant sum of donations of 700 000 euros enables high-quality wood science teaching with wider availability.