UBC Forestry Summer Institute
Bio-based Renewable Materials
Course Dates: July 27 – August 14, 2026, 3 weeks
Course Duration: 60 hours
Leading Instructor: Prof. Feng Jiang
Course Description
Explore the future of sustainable bio-based materials in this dynamic, experience-driven course that blends theory, innovation, and real-world application. Bio-based Renewable Materials introduces the science and technology behind bioproducts and bioenergy—empowering students to understand, design, and contribute to the transition toward a low-carbon economy.
Students will gain a solid foundation in bioenergy classification, biomass chemistry, bioproducts production, and advanced manufacturing through thermal, chemical and biological conversion processes. Students will be introduced cutting-edge analytical tools used for designing and characterizing advanced bio-based products. They will also gain hands-on experience in data collection and analysis. Through team-based projects, students will be trained in critical thinking and problem-solving while strengthening their abilities in teamwork, technical reporting, and clear oral and written communication.
To bridge classroom learning with field experience, students will participate in academic field trips to the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest to study sustainable forestry practices and a small sawmill to understand biomass sourcing. Visits to UBC’s Bioenergy Research Demonstration Facility, Bioproducts Institute, and research labs will offer firsthand exposure to cutting-edge bioenergy and bioproducts technologies and applied research.
Designed for undergraduate and master’s students in wood science, materials science, pulp and paper, biorefinery, environmental engineering, and/or renewable energy programs—as well as professionals seeking to advance their careers in bioenergy and bioproducts—this course offers a unique combination of academic rigor, practical insight, and interdisciplinary learning.
Course Topics
Topic 1: Sustainability, Bioeconomy
- Global sustainability challenges and climate change
- The bioeconomy and circular economy frameworks
- Role of bio-based materials in decarbonization
- Overview of bioenergy and bioproduct value chains
Topic 2: Biomass Resources and Sustainable Feedstocks
- Biomass classification: lignocellulosic, algal, agricultural, and waste biomass
- Forest biomass and sustainable forestry practices
- Biomass harvesting, logistics, and preprocessing
- Biomass supply chains and regional considerations
- Field trip: Malcolm Knapp Research Forest (sustainable forestry & biomass sourcing)
Topic 3: Biomass Chemistry and Structure
- Chemical composition of biomass: cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, extractives
- Structure–property relationships in natural polymers
- Crystallinity, hierarchy, and fiber morphology
- Moisture interactions and thermal behavior of biomass
- Implications of chemistry for conversion and materials design
Topic 4: Bioenergy Systems and Conversion Pathways
- Bioenergy classification: solid, liquid, and gaseous biofuels
- Thermochemical conversion: combustion, pyrolysis, gasification
- Biochemical conversion: fermentation and anaerobic digestion
- Bioenergy system efficiency and emissions
- Visit: UBC Bioenergy Research Demonstration Facility
Topic 5: Bioproducts and Bio-based Materials
- Biorefineries and integrated biomass utilization
- Bio-based polymers and composites
- Wood-based and cellulose-based advanced materials
- Platform chemicals and bio-based intermediates
- Case studies: replacing fossil-based plastics and materials
Topic 6: Advanced Manufacturing of Bio-based Materials
- Mechanical, chemical, and biological processing routes
- Thermal processing and densification strategies
- Surface modification and functionalization
- Additive manufacturing and emerging fabrication methods
- Visit: Bioproducts Institute and research laboratories
Topic 7: Characterization and Analytical Tools
- Structural and chemical characterization techniques
- Thermal, mechanical, and rheological analysis
- Microscopy and spectroscopy methods
- Data collection, processing, and interpretation
- Hands-on lab sessions and data-driven analysis
Topic 8: Team-Based Design Project
- Project definition: bioenergy or bioproduct concept
- Feedstock selection and processing pathway design
- Performance, sustainability, and feasibility analysis
- Technical reporting and data visualization
- Oral presentations and peer review
Guest Lectures
During the course, students will attend guest lectures delivered by world-renowned professors working on the bioenergy, biomaterials, bioproducts. You will expect to have a total of 5 or 6 guest lectures during the course.
Learning Outcomes
This course is designed to equip students with fundamental knowledge on the existing primary bio-based polymeric materials. The course will start to introduce general aspects including how nature synthesizes these bio-based polymers, their physical and chemical properties, and biodegradability. Additionally, this course will cover the fundamentals and emerging technologies for biomass conversion into biofuels and bioproducts, transformations of bio-based polymers for industrial polymer processing techniques, advanced biofuel production, the primary applications of nature derived polymers in our daily life and the potential for use in new applications based on polymer structure property relationships.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain the role of bio-based renewable materials, bioproducts, and bioenergy in the transition toward a low-carbon and circular economy.
- Describe the classification, sources, and sustainability considerations of biomass feedstocks, with emphasis on forest-based resources.
- Interpret the chemical composition and hierarchical structure of biomass and relate these features to material properties and performance.
- Compare major bioenergy and bioproduct conversion pathways, including thermal, chemical, and biological processes.
- Apply fundamental principles of biomass chemistry and processing to the design of bio-based materials and energy systems.
- Select and use appropriate analytical and characterization techniques to evaluate the structure, properties, and performance of bio-based materials.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental and field data using quantitative and qualitative methods.
- Design conceptual bioenergy or bioproduct solutions that integrate feedstock selection, processing routes, and performance requirements.
- Propose innovative strategies to replace or reduce fossil-based materials using renewable alternatives.
- Work effectively in multidisciplinary teams to plan, execute, and evaluate bio-based materials projects.
- Prepare clear, well-structured technical reports supported by data and scientific reasoning.
- Deliver effective oral presentations tailored to technical and non-technical audiences.
Learning Activities and Assessment
- Classroom participation and discussion quality
- Homework and group projects
- Lab tour and practice
- Data analysis and experimental skills
- Industry tour and sharing
- Cultural and academic sharing with UBC students
- Final presentation
Choices for Field Practice
Malcom Knapp Research Forest, UBC’s Bioenergy Research Demonstration Facility, Bioproducts Institute, and research labs
How to Apply
Please read “How to Apply” on the UBC Forestry Summer Institute page and submit your application by March 31, 2026 @ 11:59 pm PDT.