CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
IN MASS TIMBER, MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION

TallWood Design Institute in collaboration with industry and academic partners has developed a certificate program aimed at building a holistic introduction to mass timber manufacturing, design, and construction. The program is designed for workplace and professional learners looking to deepen their knowledge and skills in today’s evolving mass timber sector. Current course offerings are highlighted in the program outline, and TDI continues to develop more courses for the program.

What You Will Learn

• Understand the technical characteristics of different mass timber products and the ways they are best used
• Use timber-specific 3D computer-aided design software to produce design documents, shop drawings, renderings, material take-offs, and installation drawings, etc.
• Move design information efficiently between CAD software applications, computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software, and CNC machines
• Become familiar with different kinds of CNC and other machines used in mass timber manufacturing
• Use CNC (computer numerical control) timber processing machines to fabricate beams, columns, and panels and optimize material yield
• Perform quality assurance tests on mass timber products for conformance with product certification standards
• Understand how mass timber construction processes differ from traditional construction projects and know the key elements for efficiency, safety, and success

Program Outline

Intro to Mass Timber Products and Building Systems – A broadly encompassing introduction to mass timber.

Intro to Mass Timber Manufacturing – An introduction to basic manufacturing concepts and how they apply to the mass timber sector.

Intro to QA/QC – An introduction to quality assurance and control (QA/QC) in the wood products industry and how it relates to mass timber.

Wood Science 101 for Designers – A 10-week seminar course covering wood science basics as relevant to designers and makers.

Mass Timber Design Build Workshop Capstone – A hands-on, three-day intensive workshop looking at mass timber design and construction considerations through the lens of fabrication.

Key Aspects of Program Design

• The program is modular, meaning participants can either enroll in the full program, or register individually for the courses that are of most interest.
• A certificate of completion is available for individual courses and the entire program.
• Courses in the program are delivered primarily asynchronously through Oregon State University’s online learning platform (Canvas) to maximize access to those limited by distance or work. Online courses include components such as weekly discussions, and in the case of the capstone, a three-day design/fabricate/ build workshop at the A.A. “Red” Emmerson Advanced Wood Products Lab.
• Courses vary in length, ranging from 20-40 hours of content, interaction, and study, and are graded primarily a pass/no-pass based on attendance, participation, and a final self-directed project.

QUESTIONS?

To learn more or apply to the program, please email Dianna Fisher at dianna.fisher@oregonstate.edu.