Applied Wood Technology

Bachelor of Science

University of Applied Forest SciencesUniversity of Applied Forest Sciences

Sustainability – Basis for Successful Studies

Studying at Schadenweilerhof – hardly any other university offers such a unique atmosphere: personal interaction in-stead of massive crowds. Historical walls and the most mo-dern research facilities, surrounded by 2,500 ha of research forest. With appr. 850 students, the University of Applied Sciences Rottenburg is small but precisely because of this it is an innovative university. With a clear forestry science pro-file and six pioneering degrees:

• Forest Sciences, Bachelor of Science• BioEnergy, Bachelor of Science• Water Resource Management, Bachelor of Science• Applied Wood Technology, Bachelor of Science• Sustainable Rural Development and Regional Management, Bachelor of Science• SENCE (Sustainable Energy Competence), Master of Science

The goal of each degree is sustainable management when using natural resources. The University of Applied Sciences Rottenburg has been awarded several times for these lead-ing edge study programmes by the UNESCO. The close cooperation with several other universities in the region, as well as having worldwide contacts, provide students the opportunity to gain overseas experience and work on inter-national research projects. The University of Applied Sciences Rottenburg’s future concept was awarded for winning the university competition “Excellency Strategies” from the Stifter-verband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft.

Schadenweilerhof72108 Rottenburg a. N.

Tel. +49 (0) 74 72 / 951-0Fax +49 (0) 74 72 / 951-200

hfr@hs-rottenburg.dewww.hs-rottenburg.de

Admission only applies for the Winter SemesterApplications close on 15th July

The University of Applied Sciences Rottenburg works together with the following institutions: - Within the university region Tübingen-Hohenheim, with Tübingen and Hohenheim Universities, as well as the universities Albstadt-Sigmaringen, Nürtingen-Geislingen and Reutlingen.- Ulm University of Applied Sciences - Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences - Van Hall Larenstein, Part of Wageningen, Velp (The Netherlands)

In addition, there exist collaborations with many universities worldwide.

Study Content Career PerspectivesDescription of the Degree

Current SituationPresently, 3.3 billion m3 of wood annually is used world-wide. Wood therefore plays a significant role in the com-modity markets and is the resource of the future. The existing intensive world timber trade will continue to develop stron-gly. Wood is the raw material of the 21st century: renewable, environmentally friendly and versatile – for its energetic or material usage. The distribution of this growing resource and its efficient utilization will be one of the most important tasks in the future.

Theory and PracticeEven the technical and optical qualities within a wood type are very diverse. Only by having knowledge about it can the right choice be made for its practical and efficient usage. This degree teaches knowledge which considers the qualities of wood already in the production phase, how to fulfil the re-quirements of this modern building material, and to achieve the highest product quality. Through technical and chemical handling processes a great variety of different wood products can be created.

Innovative and Practice OrientedThe innovative potential for wood is extremely high. This is seen in new treatment processes and the combination with other raw materials. The wood market is undergoing change and new developments place great demands on planners and manufacturers. The increasing shortage of this raw mate-rial requires a sustainable approach for its use and leads to a great demand for know-how in the field of wood utilization, particularly in other countries.

Basic Study PeriodThe basic study period (semesters 1 - 2) teaches technical and natural scientific foundations and the functionality of economic processes. It gives a worldwide overview of the resources forests and wood.

Main Study PeriodThe content includes understanding general building ma-terial, theory about isolation and insulation, procedures for the modification and the energetic use of wood. Wood as a design element and for construction is equally dealt with, as well as the characteristics of wood composite materials. Further components include material science and material testing, applied building physics, material development and so called Change-Management. Students are able to decide their own individual specialization through the numerous elective compulsory subjects.

Project PhaseProject and group work dealing with typical issues from the timber industry enable a strong connection to practical matters. To further this purpose there are also numerous excursions and seminars.

Integrated Internship SemesterThe 5th semester is an internship where theoretical know-ledge can be applied in practice. It is possible to carry out independent work, acquire high communication compe-tence and learn about occupational activities. This can also be completed abroad.

Bachelor ThesisThe degree ends with a final assessment, the bachelor thesis. As part of this, practical and scientific relevant problems are independently solved.

Experts for consulting, planning and implementation

The degree Applied Wood Technology is conceived as a career qualifying bachelor degree in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and enterprises from the wood industry – with many promising career prospects.

The close cooperation with companies guarantees a job-market orientated and close to practice based education, while simultaneously being aligned with the current state of research. The wood manufacturing and wood processing indust-ries, trading, planning, consulting and advising services offer an abundance of jobs to the graduates of the de-gree. Further career fields are available in organizations and non-governmental organizations both nationally and internationally.

Should an internship company be carefully chosen, this often represents an easier step in the direction towards a professional career.

Further QualificationsThe degree is a multifaceted basis for attaining a further qualification through masters study programmes. At-tractive choices for this are available at the universities in Freiburg and Hamburg, as well as the TU Dresden. The deliberately international oriented degree also enables the accomplishment of a further qualification abroad. In the basic study period, there are foreign language courses offered at the University of Applied Sciences Rottenburg for this purpose.