The Laboratory also has discretionary funds to assure continuation of funding of all students. Current activities in the research areas of the Laboratory can be found by accessing the Annual Report. The traditional method in most graduate programs is through formal courses, and in our case, this would be courses in ultrastructure, chemical properties, and physical properties of wood. Another is through special topics courses, which are largely self-study and discussion, and the Spring Seminar. However, the most important aspect of this knowledge is developed through participation in research projects, where students can combine theory and experimental methods to have a greater appreciation of wood and wood-based materials.
Core knowledge is only part of a student's program.
For both MS and PhD students, we structure committees to bring an interdisciplinary approach to the research area. We are interested in each student developing an area of emphasis that complements a specific area of study on wood. For PhD students, this area of emphasis is a formal requirement, where we rely on faculty members in the relevant department to recommend direction of sturdy. In some cases, our PhD students have completed an MS in another department as a means of satisfying this requirement. Although we do not formally require the area of emphasis for MS students, it is to their advantage, particularly if they decide to go on to the PhD. MS students may pursue a program with or without a thesis.