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What is "Sustainable Bioproducts", in plain terms?

It's the science and business of making useful products from wood and other renewable materials. This includes everything from lumber, mass timber, and engineered wood panels to bio-based chemicals, fuels, and packaging. If it's made from a tree or plant fiber instead of petroleum, it likely falls under sustainable bioproducts.

Is this the same thing as forestry?

No. Forestry is about managing and growing the forest. The sustainable bioproducts major deals with what happens to the wood after harvest. We answer the question of how the initial feedstock is turned into building materials, composites, chemicals, and energy. The two fields work hand-in-hand, but our graduates typically work in manufacturing, product development, and research rather than in the woods.

How is it different from environmental science?

Environmental science deals with broad environmental systems and issues. Sustainable bioproducts focuses specifically on turning renewable materials into products in ways that reduce reliance on fossil resources, capture carbon, and extend product service life. It's an applied, hands-on major with a strong sustainability foundation.

Do I need to be strong in math and chemistry?

You'll take science and math coursework. If you have a strong interest in science, you have the option to take classes that cover chemistry and materials science in-depth. You don't need to arrive as an expert. The curriculum builds these skills, and support is available. Plenty of successful students came in unsure about the science and grew into it.

What hands-on experiences will I get?

Students work in labs testing wood strength and durability (you will get to break materials for strength testing), characterizing materials, and even applying AI and computer vision to identify wood species and grade products. Internships and undergraduate research opportunities are a core part of the experience.

What courses will I take?

You'll start with foundational courses like Introduction to Sustainable Bioproducts and Introduction to Bioproduct Industries. The latter takes you on site tours of real manufacturing operations across the Southeast. Depending on concentration, coursework spans four areas: materials science (Physics of Biomaterials, Mechanics of Biomaterials, Wood Anatomy), chemistry and conversion (Lignocellulosic Biomass Chemistry, Biorefinery Processes), manufacturing and design (Lumber Manufacturing, Bioproducts Manufacturing, Adhesives and Biocomposites, Furniture Design and Fabrication), and business and sustainability (Quantitative Methods, Forest Products Marketing, Bioproducts and the Environment).

You'll also protect products from decay and weathering in Deterioration and Preservation of Biomaterials, and pull it all together in a senior Capstone built around real manufacturing and product-design problems. Hands-on labs run throughout the coursework, and undergraduate research options are available.

Are scholarships available?

Yes. Due to industry demand being so strong for our graduates, this is one of the better-funded paths a student can choose.

Can I go to graduate or professional school afterward?

Absolutely. The degree is a strong foundation for graduate study in wood science, materials, engineering, and related fields, as well as for professional careers in industry.