Why Wood Science and Technology?
Small Classes, Teaching is Done by Professors! |
We have an excellent student to professor ratio insuring personal attention for students in the program. Our faculty members (not graduate students!) teach all of the classes from the introductory through the advanced levels. Faculty will meet with students frequently to give advice on course registration, and ways to get students involved in research or field-work in laboratories and other facilities. Faculty also can recommend tutoring if it seems advisable for particular courses, for specific students.
Opportunities to Work with World Class Faculty Members, in State-of-the-Art Facilities |
All faculty members in the Wood Science and Technology program are active researchers, publishing in the major scientific journals.
However, faculty members also list undergraduate teaching as their
TOP PRIORITY. Good researchers also make good teachers because they
are sought out by industry to study the latest technologies
available. Several millions
dollars
in grant support has led to hundreds of major publications by Wood Science and Technology faculty over the past several years
(see faculty research links).
Every faculty member welcomes undergraduate participation in their research
and we hire over 90 undergraduates each year to help in this effort
at our Advanced Engineered Wood Composites (AEWC)
center. In our program we stress hands-on experience coupled with
advanced Material Science and Engineering principles providing an education that is required in today's dynamic job market. The hands-on
experience we can provide makes our students attractive to a wide
array of employers as well as admissions committees of graduate schools.
Preparing for Many Different Career Tracks |
Within the Wood Science and Technology program students can select curriculum concentrations in Wood Design and Craftsmanship, Engineering, Business or Chemistry. The broad background received in any of these areas prepares students for many different career tracks. Graduates will find that the education they receive in Wood Science and Technology is highly transportable to other fields because of the strength of the curriculum. Our graduates go on to well paid positions even when other fields are experiencing a weak job market.
Our Graduates are Very Successful in Finding Careers |
With a BS degree in Wood Science and Technology, students have the opportunity to start their own business or alternatively explore rewarding careers in manufacturing, marketing and business, and technical services. The education obtain in the Wood Science and Technology program will also prepare students for their pursuit of a graduate degree.
Material Science and Engineering for the Natural Resources |
The elective options in our curriculum allow students to select the path that best suits them. Although all students are provided a basic understanding of the unique properties of wood, they can choose a design and artistic craftsmanship elective sequence best suited to individuals who will start their own business as wood craftsmen. Alternatively student can choose a more industrial path to learn how wood can be processed into desired products such as the next generation of structural laminates or state-of-the-art extruded composites. These products are widely used in the marketplace in across a broad spectrum of the construction industry. In addition to the education of students and providing the most up to date technical training, a primary goal of our program is to ensure the conservation of forest resources by exploring new and more efficient wood processing techniques. A fact that most people do not realize is that more wood is used in construction than all steel, concrete and plastics combined, and this insures strong career employment opportunities.
