Please note: The Graduate Certificate in Timber (Processing & Building) is not available to international students studying on a student visa.
The Graduate Certificate in Timber (Processing and Building) is a four-unit part time course that provides advanced skills in the design, construction, maintenance and management of timber-rich buildings and structures, or the production of timber and wood products. The course is open to applicants with a relevant degree or an acceptable combination of tertiary training qualifications and relevant industry experience. It is useful to anyone already working or wishing to work in:
Students will learn the basics of wood science and the role of timber and wood products as a renewable resource for society before selecting areas of study relevant to their areas of expertise and interest: timber’s use as a building material, timber board or engineered wood product manufacture, or a mixture of these fields. The course focuses strongly on the requirements of sustainable construction and production practice, especially practice relevant to Australian conditions. It also highlights major international technologies and developments.
The course is flexibly structured online to cater for students from around Australasia who are involved or interested in the building design and construction industry or timber production. Students must complete the prerequisite unit KDA503 Timber, Its Origin & Characteristics, before undertaking other timber-focused units from the three streams: Core Skills, Building and Processing. These are supported by an elective Management stream, which allows students to complete one Management elective in addition to their other units. Four units in total must be completed in order to complete the Graduate Certificate. Students can stagger their enrolment to take from one to three years to complete the four units.
Graduates can work independently or be employed in either the building or timber production industries. With increasing interest in timber as a preferred material in sustainable construction, graduates can specialise in their respective disciplines in areas related to timber design, construction, and management of buildings and similar structures.
Similarly, there are increasing specialised career opportunities in the processing, fabrication, marketing and distribution sectors of the timber industry for graduates and those with relevant training and experience. This includes employment in production, sales and design support.
Provides core understanding of the material’s properties and behaviour. It includes an overview of the material before exploring its character in detail, especially wood‑water relationships and the connections between its structure and performance. This unit is a prerequisite for other units in the course.
Introduces the principles, requirements and techniques of current Australian timber construction, dealing with the material used structurally or as an appearance product. The requirements of the Building Code of Australia and major performance standards are covered in detail.
Explores the principles and techniques of design and construction for effective timber durability. It introduces the key mechanisms of biodegradation and hazard before covering treatment and design for improved performance and extended service life.
Covers the principles and practices of converting logs into stable and dry timber. It introduces the determinants that influence processing strategy before dealing with the major stages of processing solid wood boards from breakdown of the log, to dry-milling and grading.
Deals with the major stages of engineering wood product manufacture in Australia and internationally from conversion of the log into veneer or laminates and their assembly into sheets or other elements. Gluing processes and technologies are investigated, as are secondary processing and treatment.
Provide opportunities for students to expand their skills in management. Units available online through other schools and colleges in the University include: Management, Financial Resource Management, Services Marketing, and Asset Management Practices. Students may take only one elective as part of the course.
More Upcoming Events