Division Wood Engineering

Dr. Andreas Hurst Dipl. Ing. ETH Head of the course of studies BSc Wood Engineering (Biel)

For over 20 years we have successfully trained wood engineers at Biel. Our courses cover all aspects of the production chain for wood. Our courses are unique in Switzerland. Our training courses are developed in close collaboration with the wood industry and related sectors. We make full use of the Bologna reform initiatives. The curriculum for the bachelor qualification is based  on the previous FH Wood Engineer  training course. Practical training plays an important role. Our undergraduates participate in work experience projects with businesses and institutions throughout the wood industry world-wide.

HTL advanced level technical courses in wood engineering started in Switzerland in 1986. Before this the only similar courses available were offered  in Germany and France. In Switzerland the need for specialist training courses in all aspects of wood engineering and industry can be traced back to the framework provided by the «National Research Program No. 12» (Wood, renewable materials and energy sources 1983 –1991) and the preparation for the «Wood Startup Program» (National Training Program for Engineers, Designers and Architects 1986 - 1992). Then as now, the Bachelor of Science in Wood Engineering is unique, the only course of its type in Switzerland.

History

1952       Foundation of the Swiss School for the Wood Industry, Biel

1986       Start of HTL engineering courses

1992       Foundation of the division Research and Development

1997       Incorporation into the Bern University of Applied Sciences and introduction of     

                Wood Engineer FH course atSSWI, Biel.

2003       FH Wood Engineer course becomes part ofthe specialist department at the Bern

                University of Applied Sciences Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering

2005       Merger of the Burgdorf and Biel divisions for architecture and engineering in the

                BUAS Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering. including the Higher Technical

                Schools HF Wood Biel

2005       Introduction of the course BSc Wood Engineering

Facts and Figures

Average no. of graduates per annum                                                                     30 

No. of undergraduates                                                                                            140

No. of overseas undergraduates                                                                              8 %

No. of French speaking undergraduates                                                                 5 %

Average no. of participants in advanced training  (NDS/MAS/NDK) per year  16

Teaching staff                                                                                                              45

Administration and management staff                                                                     5

Campus

Bern University of Applied Sciences (BUAS)
Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering
Solothurnstrasse 102
Postfach
CH-2500 Biel 6
Tel +41 32 344 02 80

Fax +41 32 344 02 90
E-Mail

• Bachelor of Science BFH in Wood Engineering [->]
• Master of Engineering Science in Wood Engineering [->]

• Postgraduate studies in Timber Construction [->]