Program Overview

Introduction to the Renewable Materials Undergraduate Major

The Bachelor of Science degree in Renewable Materials is a multidisciplinary professional program that prepares students to work with renewable, plant-based materials to solve challenging world problems. Renewable materials such as wood, bamboo, canes, and agricultural fibers are examined to understand their characteristics and how to make useful products. Students gain broad perspectives on current issues associated with the sustainable utilization of renewable materials, including global trade, business innovation, energy production, and environmental impacts.

Program Overview

Graduates with degrees in renewable materials are highly sought after to work in business, manufacturing operations, and technical support where they use their knowledge and expertise to help develop sustainable products, industrial systems, and economies. The curriculum includes a lower-division core in science and math with a choice of one of the required upper-division options in Advanced Wood Manufacturing (AWD), Art and Design (A&D), Management and Marketing (M&M), or Science and Engineering (S&E).

Upper-Division Options

• The AWD option develops students' knowledge of smart manufacturing and its application in renewable materials industries.
• The A&D option prepares students to engage with renewable materials on an aesthetic level. Artistically-oriented students learn how materials function within the human space and gain an understanding of green buildings and architecture.
• The M&M option is designed for students interested in business. Completion of the M&M option and meeting additional grade requirements of the College of Business will fulfill the requirements for a transcript-visible Business and Entrepreneurship minor.
• The S&E option is a flexible program that allows technically oriented students to design a personalized curriculum that opens doors to jobs that solve complex problems or to graduate school. Students select courses (often minors) that complement their interests.

Curriculum Requirements

In addition to the course work, all students must have six months of work experience in an area related to their major. This is usually accomplished by two summers of employment in business or industry, but it may include work during the academic year. The department has an established network of connections to help place students in internships and summer employment.

Course List

• Baccalaureate Core: Select 51 credits
• Fitness:
  • HHS 231: Lifetime Fitness for Health
  • HHS 241: Lifetime Fitness (or any PAC course)
• Writing I:
  • WR 121: English Composition
• Writing II:
  • WR 214: Writing in Business
  • or WR 327: Technical Writing
• Speech:
  • COMM 111: Public Speaking
  • or COMM 114: Argument and Critical Discourse
• Renewable Materials Core Curriculum:
  • CH 121: General Chemistry (5 credits)
  • CH 122: General Chemistry (5 credits)
  • FES 240: Forest Biology (4 credits)
  • FOR 111: Introduction to Forestry (3 credits)
  • FOR 112: Computing Applications in Forestry (3 credits)
  • WSE 111: Renewable Materials for a Green Planet (2 credits)
  • WSE 210: Renewable Materials Technology and Utilization (4 credits)
  • WSE 225: Principles of Architectural Design with Renewable Materials (3 credits)
  • WSE 250: CAD: Computer Aided Design (3 credits)
  • WSE 320: Anatomy of Renewable Materials (3 credits)
  • WSE 321: Chemistry of Renewable Materials (3 credits)
  • WSE 322: Physical and Mechanical Properties of Renewable Materials (4 credits)
  • WSE 324: Renewable Materials Laboratory (3 credits)
  • WSE 453: Forest Products Business (3 credits)
  • WSE 465: Renewable Materials Manufacturing Experience (2 credits)
• Total credits required for graduation: 180

Major Code and Additional Information

• Major Code: 238
• The Renewable Materials Undergraduate Major (BS, HBS) is part of the College of Forestry, Wood Science and Engineering department.