Academics Undergraduate Courses Offered

BMATWT Courses

• 201 - Introduction to Wood Science
• 211 - Energy Efficient Housing
• 220/390M - Intro to CAD for Construction and Architecture
• 304 - Properties of Wood
• 313 - Principles of Light-Frame Structure Technology
• 314 - Architectural Blueprint Reading and Estimating
• 352 - Building Materials and Forest Products Marketing
• 353 - The Business of Building
• 390N - Construction Materials and Methods
• 392A - Seminar in Kiln Drying
• 397B - Design and Construction of a Timber Bridge
• 452 - Building Materials Computing and Communications
• 492B - Career Development in Building Materials
• 497C - Advanced Topics in CAD
• 530 - Mechanics of Building Materials for Construction
• 540 - Design of Wood Structures

In addition to University General Education requirements, the curriculum in the Building Materials and Wood Technology major builds upon a foundation of introductory mathematics, chemistry, physics, and computer literacy. Department courses cover a background in natural resources plus courses in building materials technology, wood science, building materials management, and wood-based product technology. The remainder of each student's program includes electives in areas such as engineering or business according to the individual's career objectives and chosen curriculum option. Students may prepare for continuation to advanced study at the Master's or doctoral level, but most graduates accept employment immediately.

The functioning student organization is the University of Massachusetts Student Chapter of the Forest Products Society. Close ties with industry are provided through an 18-member Industry Advisory Committee.

BMATWT 201 - Introduction to Wood Science
Prof. Hoadley

Timber resources, conservation, and forest products. Survey of important North American woods, as an introduction to the conservation of timber by improved utilization, and as related to critical topics ranging from forest management to wood identification to affordable housing, wood decay, and paper recycling.

BMATWT 211 - Energy Efficient Housing
Prof. Fisette - Website - Syllabus

Introduction to energy conservation, as the most cost-effective, environmentally safe method for lowering energy costs and dependence on a finite supply of fossil fuels. Primary discussions involve technical issues, dealing with building methods and materials used to save energy. Political, economical and environmental issues are inextricably connected to conservation, and will factor heavily on classroom dialogue. Lectures will focus on fundamentals of residential energy use involving energy-saving materials and products, energy-efficient design, energy storage, affordable housing, political impact, and regulatory developments.

BMATWT 220/390M - Introduction to CAD for Construction and Architecture
Prof. Schreyer - Website - Syllabus

This course provides students with a broad introduction into Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) with a focus on construction- and architecture-specific applications. By using popular CAD software (such as Autodesk AutoCAD as well as Google SkecthUp) in hands-on exercises, assignments and projects, students gain the capability to use CAD to model construction projects and create and distribute industry-standard architectural drawings.

BMATWT 304 - Properties of Wood
Prof. Schreyer - Website - Syllabus

Wood is an amazing building material: It is beautiful and warm to the touch. It is easy to machine and abundantly available. It is light, yet strong and stiff. And best of all: It comes from a renewable source. To build with wood, however, requires understanding its peculiarities: the variability of its properties, its interaction with water and the possibility of biodeterioration.
This course introduces students to the physical and mechanical properties of wood. It provides an overview of wood-based products and exposes students to structural systems in wood. Basic techniques for physical measurement and mechanical testing are introduced by conducting and analyzing several laboratory experiments.

BMATWT 313 - Principles of Light-Frame Structure Technology
Prof. Fisette - Website - Syllabus

Provides an understanding of the use of building materials in contemporary light-frame construction applications. Close attention paid to the sequence of events that occur on most construction sites. Review of the entire residential construction process, site preparation through roof shingling. Leading-edge products and technologies and analyzed and compared to conventional ones. Course work is tied closely to the arrival of new products, technologies, and political issues affecting the construction industry.

BMATWT 314 - Architectural Blueprint Reading and Estimating
Prof. Fisette - Website - Syllabus

Lectures, discussions and workshops provide students with an understanding of the architectural language. Students learn to interpret architectural drawings and prepare accurate "take-offs": itemized lists of the types and quantities of various construction materials used in a given construction project. Course presented in two sections: the interpretation of construction drawings, and the estimation of quantities and costs of materials specified in architectural drawings.

BMATWT 352 - Building Materials and Forest Products Marketing
Prof. Damery - Website - Syllabus

Introduces marketing concepts as applied to the building materials industry, the "4 Ps" of marketing; product, price, place and promotion of both consumer and industrial building materials products, market segmentation, industry structure and competition.

BMATWT 353 - The Business of Building
Prof. Damery - Website - Syllabus

Introduces business concepts to students interested in design
and fabrication of structures. Managing a project, contracts, marketing
scheduling, personnel, leadership, interpersonal communication,
human behavior, finance, budgeting, ethical and legal considerations.

BMATWT 390N - Construction Materials and Methods
Prof. Schreyer - Website - Syllabus

This course provides an introductory overview of the various construction materials used in common (and uncommon) structures. After receiving an introduction into fundamental principles of structural, physical and long-term performance, students learn about material and product manufacturing techniques and how they relate to mechanical and nonmechanical properties of the various materials. Students have the opportunity to experience material capacity and behavior in demonstrations and lab experiments. Furthermore, material applications and detailing in structural and non-structural building components are explored. Resulting from this course, students gain a comparative knowledge of material properties and possible applications in construction and architecture.

BMATWT 392A - Seminar in Kiln Drying (1 Credit)
Prof Damery - Website - Syllabus

Introduces students to the theory and practice of drying softwood and hardwood lumber. Gain understanding of wood moisture relations. Learn and have hands-on experience with current lumber drying methods.

BMATWT 397B - Design and Construction of a Timber Bridge
Prof. Clouston / Prof. Schreyer - Website - Elective

Timber Bridge Design provides an opportunity for students to actively participate in the creation of a small pedestrian timber bridge. While working together as a team, the class will design, build and nondestructively test a timber bridge.

BMATWT 452 - Building Materials Computing and Telecommunications
Prof. Damery - Website

Hands-on experience with the Internet and PCs. Decision making skills are developed using information age technologies to solve building materials problems. Theory is combined with hands-on practice using a variety of applications.

BMATWT 492b - Career Development in the Building Materials
Website - Syllabus

Industry. Students learn to write cover letters, create resumes, develop
relevant interviewing skills and meet industry leaders. Each week a
different business professional meets with students in this class to discuss careers in the industry. Often, the speakers are potential employers who are accepting resumes. Some speakers will schedule interviews for internships and full-time job placement.

BMATWT 497C - Advanced Topics in CAD
Prof. Schreyer - Website - Syllabus

Building upon skills acquired in the "Introduction to CAD for Construction and Architecture" course, this course presents advanced topics in architectural CAD software. Centered around problem-based tasks, topics such as parametric building design, building information models (BIMs), material takeoff, energy-efficient planning, visualization and others will be explored. Industry standard CAD tools such as Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD and Google SketchUp will be used to accomplish this.

BMATWT 530 - Mechanics of Building Materials for Construction
Prof. Clouston - Website

Introduces students to the mechanical behavior of engineered wood products and wood composites as contemporary structural building mateirals. Basic structural concepts including statics and strength of materials are addressed in a practical, hands-on manner. An overview of the relative merits of common structural wood products is provided. Practical applications of wood-based materials are highlighted throughout the course through in-class examples and illustrations, homework assingments and lab tutorials.

BMATWT 540 -- Design of Wood Structures
Prof Clouston. - Website

Provides students with a fundamental understanding of structural engineering wood design principles. Focus is placed on design procedures - as well as underlying assumptions therefor - for wood members in residential, commercial and industrial applications. Through class examples and assignments, students will learn design techniques for individual wood components including: beams, columns, trusses, wood/steel connections, and diaphragms using both conventional lumber products and state-of-the-art engineered wood products.