Wood Indentification
| Title | ΑΝΑΓΝΩΡΙΣΗ ΞΥΛΟΥ / Wood Indentification |
| Code | 102Ε |
| Faculty | Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment |
| School | Forestry and Natural Environment |
| Cycle / Level | 1st / Undergraduate |
| Teaching Period | Spring |
| Common | No |
| Status | Active |
| Course ID | 420000094 |
| Academic Year | 2025 – 2026 |
| Class Period | Spring |
| Faculty Instructors |
|
| Weekly Hours | 3 |
| Total Hours | 39 |
| Class ID | 600273695
|
Course Type 2021
Specialization / Direction
Course Type 2016-2020
- Scientific Area
Course Type 2011-2015
Knowledge Deepening / Consolidation
Mode of Delivery
- Face to face
- Distance learning
Digital Course Content
- e-Study Guide https://qa.auth.gr/en/class/1/600273695
- eLearning (Moodle): https://elearning.auth.gr/course/view.php?id=15283
Erasmus
The course is also offered to exchange programme students.
Language of Instruction
- Greek (Instruction, Examination)
- English (Instruction, Examination)
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion students will acquire the following knowledge, skills or abilities:
Knowledge of macroscopic and microscopic structural characteristics of wood and the peculiarities of each forest species, ability to produce fine wood microtomes and observe them under the microscope, ability to macroscopically / microscopically identify of domestic and foreign wood species, recognition of normal structure, of archaeological importance, infested and charred wood.
General Competences
- Apply knowledge in practice
- Retrieve, analyse and synthesise data and information, with the use of necessary technologies
- Make decisions
- Work autonomously
- Work in teams
- Work in an interdisciplinary team
- Respect natural environment
Course Content (Syllabus)
The course "Wood Identification" focuses on the detailed study and understanding of wood characteristics at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. Initially, it covers macroscopic wood identification, which involves examining and identifying diagnostic features of coniferous woods, as well as ring-porous and diffuse-porous hardwoods. Students are trained to recognize different wood species through their external characteristics and to understand the importance and practical applications of this knowledge.
Furthermore, the course focuses on the microscopic identification of wood, offering detailed information about the microscopic features that distinguish various species. Students learn to prepare and create wood microsections and microscopic samples using techniques such as cutting, staining, and mounting. The course presents the microscopic method for identifying both coniferous and hardwood species.
Finally, the course aims at the familiarization with the use of computer-based tools and dichotomous keys for identifying wood species, including archaeological wood, based on their microscopic characteristics. Understanding these techniques is fundamental for wood identification and preservation in various fields.
Keywords
Wood identification, dichotomous keys
Educational Material Types
- Notes
- Slide presentations
- Multimedia
Use of Information and Communication Technologies
Use of ICT
- Use of ICT in Course Teaching
- Use of ICT in Laboratory Teaching
- Use of ICT in Communication with Students
- Use of ICT in Student Assessment
Description
Extensive use of multimedia. Use of specially designed software used in Wood Identification
Course Organization
| Activities | Workload | ECTS | Individual | Teamwork | Erasmus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 30 | ||||
| Laboratory Work | 20 | ||||
| Reading Assigment | 20 | ||||
| Written assigments | 18 | ✓ | |||
| Exams | 2 | ||||
| Total | 90 |
Student Assessment
Description
At the beginning of the semester, a series of mandatory introductory lectures is conducted. Following this, students are offered the following options for assessment:
a) Writing a research paper based on data collection, with a presentation at the end of the semester
b) Writing a literature review paper, also with a presentation at the end of the semester
c) Participation in a written or oral exam with open-ended questions.
Choosing the examination option (written or oral) does not entail a reduced workload. Students who select this form of assessment are required to actively participate in the semester’s teaching activities (e.g., exercises, additional lectures), in order to ensure equivalence in learning outcomes compared to options (a) and (b).
Student Assessment methods
- Written Exam with Multiple Choice Questions (Formative, Summative)
- Written Exam with Short Answer Questions (Formative, Summative)
- Written Exam with Extended Answer Questions (Formative, Summative)
- Written Assignment (Formative, Summative)
- Oral Exams (Summative)
- Performance / Staging (Summative)
Bibliography
Additional bibliography for study
Βουλγαρίδης, Η., Πασιαλής, Κ.Ν., Βασιλείου, Β.Γ. (1998). ″Αναγνώριση ξύλου″ (Πανεπιστημιακές παραδόσεις). Θεσσαλονίκη
Schweingruber, F.H., 1990. Anatomy of European Woods: An Atlas for the Identification of European Trees, Shrubs and Dwarf Shrub. Verlag Paul Haupt, Bern.
Last Update
29-06-2025
