ERE 770 Biodegradation of Wood
Spring semester, 2004
3 credits
Instructor: Dr. Susan Anagnost
M/W/F: 9:35 to 10:30 Room 184 Baker Laboratory
Requirements: four hourly examinations (15% each), Final Examination (20%), report on assigned papers including 10 minute presentations (10%), lab report (10%)
Textbooks: Wood Microbiology by R.A. Zabel and J.J. Morrell
Optional: Fungi in Utility Poles by C.J.K. Wang and R.A. Zabel
COURSE SYLLABUS
DATE TOPIC READING ASSIGNMENT
Monday, January 12 Introduction Chap. 1, p. 3-15; Chap. 2, p. 22-28
Wednesday, January 14 Fundamental Mycology Chap. 3, p. 52-73
Friday, January 16 Fundamental Mycology - Taxonomy Chap. 3, p. 73-89
Monday, January 19 NO CLASS-HOLIDAY
Wednesday, January 21 Fundamental Mycology
Friday, January 23 Mycology-Taxonomy
Monday, January 26 Mycology-Physiology and Growth of Fungi
Wednesday, January 28 Wood Anatomy, Chemistry and Ultrastructure Chap. 6, p 136-158
Wood-Moisture Relations, Colonization and Infection
Friday, January 30 Wood decay testing methods
and culturing techniques Chap. 6, p. 158-166, Chap.4, p. 90-
111
Monday, February 2 Wood decay test set up (lab demonstration)
Wednesday, February 4 Wood decay test set up(lab demonstration) Chap. 10, p. 248-250
Friday, February 6 EXAM 1
Monday, February 9 Basidiomycete decay of wood, brown rot Chap. 7, p. 168-191
Wednesday, February 11 Basidiomycete decay of wood, white rot Chap. 9, p. 225-240
Friday, February 13 Microfungi and soft rot of wood handout
Monday, February 16 Chemistry and Biochemistry of Wood Decay Chap. 8, p. 196-219
Wednesday, February 18 Chemistry and Biochemistry of Wood Decay handout
Friday, February 20 Fungi and wood discoloration Chap. 14, p. 326-339
Monday, February 23 LabÑCultural characteristics of Fungi
Wednesday, February 25 Bacteria and Wood
Friday, February 27 EXAM 2
Monday, March 1 Effects of Decay on Mechanical Chap. 10, p. 249-261
and Physical Properties of Wood
Wednesday March 3 Incidence of Decay in Wood Products Chap. 11, p. 266-276
Chap. 13, p. 307-321
Chap. 15, p. 345-361
Friday, March 5 Incidence of Decay in Wood Products
Spring Break
Monday, March 15 Decay Detection and Evaluation in Wood Products Chap. 16, p. 365-378
Wednesday, March 17 Decay Detection and Evaluation in Wood Products Chap. 16, p. 365-378
Friday, March 19 Microscopic Examination of Wood Decay, (lab demonstration)
Monday, March 22 Wood Preservation: Natural Durability Chap. 18, p. 400-409
Wednesday, March 24 Wood Preservation: Preservative Chemicals,
Biocontrol, Physical Barriers, Preventive Practices Chap. 19, p. 412-436
Friday, March 26 Molds and Building Materials
Monday, March 29 Molds in Indoor environments
Wednesday, March 31 Molds and air quality
Friday, April 2 Decay Test Harvest (lab demonstration)
Monday, April 5 Weigh, Measure and Examine Blocks (lab demonstration)
Wednesday, April 7 EXAM 3
Friday, April 9 NO CLASSÑEaster Break
Monday, April 12 Industrial Applications of Decay Fungi Ð Biopulping, Chap. 20, p. 446-453
Bioremediation
Wednesday, April 14 Insects and Wood Chap. 2, p.29-45
Friday, April 16 Termites
Monday, April 19 Other Biological attack on wood (invertebrates and vertebrates)
Wednesday, April 21 Current Topics in Wood Decay Research*
Lab Report Due
Friday, April 23 Current topics in wood decay research
Monday, April 26 EXAM 4
_________________________________________
Laboratory Report
1. Describe the weight loss test set up procedure.
2. List the name of your fungus and the type of decay it causes.
3. Make a record of your blocks including:
pre-decay weight
pre-decay dimensions
post-decay weight
post-decay dimensions
4. Describe the condition of the blocks after decay.
5. Calculate the weight loss (%) for every block, then determine the average weight loss for each fungus and wood type. Also determine the weight loss of the control blocks. There should be 8 average weight losses.
6. Calculate the dimensional change (%).
ERE 796
Reports:
Twice during the semester, each student will prepare a review of a journal article assigned to them. The review will consist of a written report and short presentation. The written review should consist of a
1 page summary of the contents of the article, and a critique of the article. The review should include significant points, methods used, and a critical discussion of the validity of the results. The presentation should be about 10 minutes in length. This will be followed by a short class discussion of the article.