BBE 1001 Bio-based Products Orientation
(1 credit)
Catalog Description: |
Introduction to the bio-based products professions. 1 credit, pass/fail.
An introduction to the professions and careers related to bio-based
products. |
Prerequisites: |
None |
Class/Laboratory Schedule: |
Tuesdays, 3:00-4:50. One half-day field trip required. |
Location: |
Kaufert Lab, room 302 |
Instructors: |
TBD
Stephen M. Bratkovich
Adjunct Associate Professor
USDA Forest Service, State and Private Forestry
North Central Research Station
Room 317
e mail: sbratkovich@fs.fed.us
Office Hours: by appointment
Student email read regularly |
Text: |
No Text |
Grading: |
The grade for the course is S/N (satisfactory or unsatisfactory).
Attendance is taken and required. Students need to report any problems
associated with attendance to the instructors as soon as possible.
Students will be assigned readings from professional journals. Assignments
on selected topics will be given. They will be due at the beginning
of the class period the following week. |
Course Objectives:
To introduce the undergraduate student to the professions related
to bio-based products. These professions include, but are not limited
to: forest products marketing, residential building science and technology,
production management, paper science and engineering, and industrial
ecology. The course is intended to stimulate interest in the study of
how society converts the bio-resources into products, while protecting
the source of the raw material. Guest speakers will include faculty
from the Bio-based products Department and professionals working in
the forest products marketing, residential building science and technology,
paper science and technology, and production management industries and
professions. The goals of the course are to educate future professionals,
to motivate students in their coursework, and to establish a linkage
between the students and the department that will carry through their
academic life. The course is meant for all majors in Bio-based products
programs, for students outside bio-based products who wish to learn
about the education and career of the professions, and for students
wishing a general introduction to the subjects of residential building
construction, paper making, management and marketing. The professionals
selected as guest speakers include graduates of the U of M program,
representatives of companies that hire and train graduates of Bio-based
products programs, and faculty members.
Topics and agenda from Fall, 2003
Topics and Agenda
Week |
Topic |
1 |
Introduction to the course
Introduction of department head and available faculty
The Bio-based Products Department, the College of Natural Resources at the
University of Minnesota
The student clubs in the Bio-based Products Department
Depart for University of Minnesota New Student Convocation. |
2 |
The Land Grant institution. The first 20 minutes of the video, “Land
for Living.” Assignment – Answer the three questions and
hand in next Tuesday.
Introduction to the U.S.F.S. State and Private Forestry
Reading assignment. |
3 |
Video and lecture on the preparation of the resume. Discussion
on the interview process. Role-playing the interview process. Assignment:
The resume. |
4 |
Student Services Office. Advising, college scholarships, introduction
of counselors. Review of services. Concerns of students.
Bill Ganzlin, Sheryl Bolstad. (confirmed). |
5 |
Library system. Philip Herald. MNCAT, the U of M library catalog
system. Assignment due on following week.
Volunteer(s) to interview Steve Weekes on following week. |
6 |
Bio-based Products marketing. Steve Weekes, President, Weekes Forest
Products Company. The forest products marketing profession from the
point of view of a company CEO. (confirmed. Ask for one student to
join him at the front for the total discussion) |
7 |
In-class group discussion of the professions in bio-based
products. Handout of questions for guided discussion. |
8 |
Residential Building Science and Technology. Faculty members Pat
Huelman, Marilou Cheple, and Robert Seavey discuss the RBST education
and profession. |
9 |
The paper and bio-based products industry. Faculty member discusses
the paper and bio-based products profession. |
10 |
Bio-based Products Marketing. Marketing professional, Nick Welshons,
a graduate of the U of M marketing program and currently a Georgia-Pacific
employee in the Minnesota area will discuss the profession. He is
currently Territory Manager, Engineered Lumber Distribution Division
for Georgia-Pacific Corporation. |
11 |
Bio-based Products Engineering. Graduate of the engineering program
will discuss the Bio-based Products engineering education and profession. |
12 |
Bio-based Products Manufacturing and Applications. Lecturer
will discuss the education and profession of production
management. |
13 |
The U.S.F.S. Forest Products Laboratory. Representative from the
Forest Products Lab in Madison, WI will discuss the research and education
programs of the lab. |
14 |
Residential Building Science and Technology. Mark LaLiberte, Sheltersource,
Incorporated will discuss the major issues facing the residential
building industry in the future, from the point of view of a building
industry. He will also discuss the employment opportunities for graduates
of the RBST program. |
15 |
Bio-based Products Marketing. Bruce Johnson, President, Viking
Forest Products (bruce.Johnson@fctg.com) will discuss the profession
of forest products marketing from the point of view of a major building
supply building supplies broker, located in the Twin Cities. |
|
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