SWST
Society of Wood Science and Technology
Directory of Schools
SWST DIRECTORY NORTH AMERICAN SCHOOLS OFFERING BACCALAUREATE AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS OF STUDY IN WOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
For further information concerning the programs of study, research activities, requirements for admission or other aspects of the programs listed in this directory, please write directly to the program of interest using the addresses provided in this directory, or telephone or FAX the appropriate contact person(s) listed under the program of interest.
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Status of Accreditation of Wood Science and Technology Programs
At the time of printing of this directory, the following schools had successfully completed accreditation review by the SWST: North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh; Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg; Univ. of Maine, Orono; Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul; Mississippi State Univ., Miss. State, MS; West Virginia Univ., Morgantown; Oregon State Univ., Corvallis; Pennsylvania State Univ., Univ. Park; State University of New York (SUNY), Syracuse; Univ. of Idaho, Moscow, ID. Requests for current and/or more comprehensive information regarding accreditation of Wood Science and Technology programs can be addressed to the Society of Wood Science and Technology.
Current information regarding the accreditation of programs of study is typically found within the general catalogs and/or other informational materials for most universities. Prospective students may therefore expect that information regarding accreditation of various programs within a university will normally be incorporated somewhere within the standard packages of information that are mailed to prospective students upon their request for information regarding a program of study.
School of
Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama
36849-5418
Undergraduate: The program in Wood Science and Technology at Auburn University is administered through the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. Undergraduate courses in Forest Products are incorporated within two of nine undergraduate "Emphases". These are the Forest Operations and the Products Emphases. Certain courses are required in each Emphasis, others are selected by the student from a list of optional choices.
Graduate: The graduate program offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees with specialties in wood composite structures, wood and wood composites processing, wood mechanics, wood physics, and forest products production management.
Details about
both undergraduate and graduate programs in Wood Science and Technology at
Auburn are available in the School's comprehensive web site (see below).
|
Contact: |
Dr. Greg Somers, Associate Dean for Education
Program |
Department of
Forest Resources
College of Agriculture, Forestry & Life Sciences
Clemson University
261 Lehotsky Hall
Clemson, South Carolina
29634-0331
Forest
Products program is administered by the Department of Forest Resources. A minor
is offered in Forest Products for undergraduate students, along with graduate
programs that lead to M.S., M.F., and Ph.D.
|
Contact: |
Dr. Andy Lee |
Department of
Forestry
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011
Undergraduate: The Department of Forestry offers a bachelor's degree in forestry with an option in forest products. The program is fully accredited by the Society of American Foresters. Graduates of the forest products option understand the anatomical, physical, and chemical properties of wood and know wood processing operations involved in drying, machining, gluing, and chemical treatment of wood. They are skilled at applying their knowledge in the development of products and processes. They are able to provide scientific and technical problem-solving decisions for customers of wood products. Within the forest products option, students may choose from a broad array of elective courses to develop a minor or area of concentration. Typically, students opt for coursework in business or industrial engineering. Many of our undergraduate students are employed on campus, doing work that contributes to our research program in wood products. In addition, abundant opportunities are available for summer internships with industry. Often, these valuable experiences lead to permanent job offers. Iowa State graduates generally find technical employment in the wood composites industry in the Upper Midwest and Southeast. However, students find placement throughout the U.S. and in positions ranging from sales and marketing to research and development. Students who concentrate in science and engineering electives are well prepared for advanced study in wood science.
Graduate:
Iowa State University has offered a professional forestry curriculum since 1904.
Graduate-level scientific study has always been an important aspect of the
program. The current programs are closely coordinated with intensive and
expanding research programs in selected areas including wood science and
technology. The department offers a M.S. degree in Wood Science and Ph.D. in
Forest Biology/Wood Science. Wood Science graduates with a Master's degree
usually obtain employment with industry in product and process development,
production control, engineering, marketing, and personnel management.
Graduates with a Ph.D. obtain employment in research with large wood products
firms and government and in teaching and research with universities. Because the
graduate program at Iowa State University stresses fundamentals, graduates have
broad opportunities for employment.
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Contact: |
Undergraduate Program:
Graduate Program: Web site: http://www.forestry.iastate.edu/ |
School of
Renewable
Louisiana State
University
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803
Undergraduate: The School of Renewable Natural Resources offers undergraduate and graduate education to students who wish to study forestry, forest products, wildlife and fisheries disciplines. The school offers a wide range of academic programs, basic and applied research, and outreach activities. These programs involve natural resource subjects such as forest biology and management, coastal issues, wildlife, natural fisheries, aquaculture, forest products, and many more. Two undergraduate curricula are available that provide students with professional education in various fields of renewable natural resources. Students within both degree programs take courses as part of a school core and then select an Area of Concentration.
The Bachelor of Science in Forestry (B.S.F.)
degree is one of two undergraduate degree programs within the
Areas of Concentration:
Forest Resource Management (FRM) Area of Concentration
The Forest Resource Management Area of Concentration (FRM AOC) is intended for those students that are primarily interested in managing forests as a sustainable renewable natural resource. The Area of Concentration, in conjunction with the School Core courses, are designed to provide students with an appreciation of numerous aspects of forest resource management including timber and non-timber resources and prepare them for employment with public and private entities in forest resource management.
Ecological Restoration (ER) Area of Concentration
Development/disturbance mitigation is on the rise as is the desire to restore systems disturbed and disrupted by anthropogenic and natural causes. The Ecological Restoration Area of Concentration (ER AOC) provides the foundation for students planning a career in environmental and ecological consulting, ecological restoration, or remediation work. Knowledge of plant and animal taxonomy, geographic information systems, and wetlands delineation are currently in demand by environmental consulting/engineering firms.
Forest Products (FP) Area of Concentration
The Forest Products Area of Concentration is intended for those students that are planning a career related to forest products or preparing for an advanced degree in wood science, manufacturing, business, industrial applications. The FP Area of Concentration, combined with the School core courses, provides a background in basic wood and wood product properties, efficient processing techniques, and business and industrial applications.
Graduate:
Graduate
programs (M.S., Ph.D.) emphasize research in several fields including Forest
Products Marketing, Wood Composites and Adhesives, Wood Physics, Wood Quality,
Wood Preservation, Wood Chemistry, International Trade, Timber Harvesting, and
Safety. The Forest Products Program is administered as part of the
|
Contact: |
Undergraduate Program: Email: cshilling@agcenter.lsu.edu
Graduate Program:
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Department of
Forestry
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1222
Graduate: The
department has no formal program of study in Wood Science but does have a
significant research program in the area, in which graduate students are
involved at the M.S. and Ph.D. levels. (M.S., Ph.D.).
|
Contact: |
Dr. Otto Suchsland for information Web site: http://www.for.msu.edu/ |
Michigan Technological University
School of
Forestry and Wood Products
Michigan Technological University
1400
Townsend Drive
Houghton, Michigan 49931-1295
Faculty
teaching in the Wood Science degree program, School of Forestry and Wood
Products, have experience in the following research areas: Performance-driven
wood composites; biotechnology; preservation of wood-based products;
thermoplastic/wood fiber composites; environmental studies and bioengineering.
Degrees are offered at the B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. level.
|
Contact: |
Dr. Glenn Mroz Web site: http://forestry.mtu.edu/iwr/ |
Mississippi
State University
(SWST Accredited Program)
Department of
Forest Products
Mississippi State University
P.O. Box 9820
Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762-9820
Undergraduate: MSU is currently seeking SWST accreditation for a forest products option in the forestry department. This option will provide an integrated educational program between forest resource management and forest products; a combination that is inextricably linked. The SWST-accredited Undergraduate Program includes six options, all of which are multi-disciplinary: Wood Industries Management and Wood Materials Science. The Wood Industries Management option is designed to provide Forest Products students with the background to pursue careers in the forest products and allied industries. Four additional options are available including Forest Products Marketing, Industrial Environmental Operations, Building Supply Operations, and Forest Products Technology. Students pursuing these options can obtain a minor or certificate in various other disciplines (Management, General Business Administration, Marketing, or other business fields, Environmental Science, Industrial Technology). All options provide a knowledge of the basic sciences, business, and wood science, and provides extensive training in the major wood processing operations. A double degree program with the College of Business & Industry is also available. The Wood Materials Science option provides Forest Products students with the background to pursue careers in research and product development or to continue their education at the graduate level. The curriculum provides a knowledge of the basic sciences, mathematics, and a strong background in wood and materials science. Judicious selection of electives allows the student to minor in other science fields such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, etc. As of 9/2006 the Forest Products Department suspended enrollment of new freshman into the major. Transfer students will be accepted through at least 1/2008.
Graduate: Graduate
programs (M.S., Ph.D.) emphasize research in several fields including Business
& Production Systems (systems simulation, computer applications, wood
processing operations, marketing, management); Environmental Biotechnology
(bioremediation, biofiltration, wood waste remediation); Wood Property
Enhancement (wood preservation, preservatives, biodeterioration &
durability, treatment mechanics, test methodology, wood properties, drying);
Wood Chemistry (VOC emissions, secondary plant compounds, bio-active compounds),
Composites (adhesives, processing technology, engineered systems, properties);
Furniture Production (frame design, fasteners, alternative materials, rough mill
operations, marketing, production economics).
|
Contact: |
Dr. Rubin Shmulsky .
Email:
rshmulsky@cfr.msstate.edu
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North Carolina
State University
(SWST Accredited Program)
Department of
Wood and Paper Science
North Carolina State University
Box 8005
Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-8005
Undergraduate:
The
SWST-accredited
Graduate: : The Department of Wood and Paper Science at NC State University offers Master of Wood and Paper Science (non-thesis), Master of Science, and Ph.D. degree programs. Close cooperation with various departments provides a wide variety of interdisciplinary research opportunities. Major research and extension programs include: wood tool design, performance, and wear; high-speed machining and process monitoring; wood-moisture relations and lumber drying; wood anatomy and identification; computer-aided analysis and design of wood structures; wood engineering and mechanics; wood processing and production of wood composites; lumber manufacture and quality control; rough mill improvement for value-added manufacturing; consumer education on proper wood use; and waste minimization and recycling.
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Contact: |
Undergraduate Program:
Graduate Program: Email - richard_venditti@ncsu.edu
Web site: http://www.ncsu.edu/wood |
Oregon State
University
(SWST Accredited Program)
Department of
Wood Science & Engineering
Oregon State University
119 Richardson
Hall
Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5751
Undergraduate: The Department of Wood Science and Engineering offers the SWST-accredited B.S. degree in Wood Science and Technology with options in:
· Wood Industry Management
· Forest Products Marketing
· Wood Engineering and Science
· Bio-based Composites Manufacturing
· Wood Industry Production Planning and Quality Control
· Wood Industry Environmental, Health and Safety
The curricula are adaptable to most lower division or community college programs having some science emphasis. Students in Wood Industry Management and Forest Products Marketing options will also obtain a minor in Business Administration, which could easily lead to an MBA. A minor in Forest Products is available. A variety of multi-year undergraduate scholarships are available for qualified incoming and continuing students.
Graduate:
Graduate programs are offered which lead to M.S. and Ph.D. in Wood Science
or M.F. degrees. Minor programs in other disciplines are encouraged and
concurrent dual degree programs in many disciplines are very popular. Graduate
programs are flexible but research emphasis is in the following areas: wood
growth-quality, physical or mechanical properties, chemistry, adhesives,
composite materials and products, wood-moisture relations, process
control/machine vision, timber engineering, wood preservation/biodeterioration,
materials science, or marketing. Most students are financially supported by
graduate research assistantships. Graduate fellowships, which are supplemental
annual awards ranging from $500 to $5000, are available on a competitive basis
for qualified incoming and continuing graduate students.
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Contact: |
Undergraduate Program:
Graduate Program:
FAX: (541)737-3385 |
Pennsylvania
State University
(SWST Accredited Program)
Wood Products
Program Chairman
School of Forest Resources
Forest Resources Laboratory
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
Undergraduate: Wood Products program at the Pennsylvania State University is in the School of Forest Resources. The undergraduate program offers a B.S. in Wood Products with two options: (1) Wood Products Processing and Manufacturing and (2) Wood Products Business and Marketing, both SWST accredited . Students in the Processing and Manufacturing option develop an in-depth understanding of the science and technology involved in converting wood into useful products. They study the material science and engineering of using wood and wood fiber as manufacturing materials. Students in the Business and Marketing option focus on the income-generating side of the wood products industry. They examine basic concepts such as product quality and value, customer satisfaction, product perceptions, competitive advantage, and global competition. In addition students in this option gain a technical knowledge of wood as a raw material, wood products, and related manufacturing technologies.
Graduate: Graduate
degrees offered include an M.S., M.F.R., and Ph.D. in Forest Resources.
Faculty research projects and graduate student program emphasis may focus on
business, marketing, processing, manufacturing, materials science, biological
science, or engineering. Specific faculty research projects are listed on
the Web site for the School of Forest Resources. Scholarships are
available for Wood Products
undergraduate and graduate students.
|
Contact: |
Dr. Paul R. Blankenhorn
Email:
prb@psu.edu |
Department of
Forestry and Natural Resources
Purdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana
47907-1200
Undergraduate: Purdue offers a unique BS degree in Wood Products Manufacturing Technology. This curriculum in is a joint effort of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources and the School of Technology. The curriculum is industry oriented, with emphasis on eastern hardwood tree species and application to the lumber and veneer industries in the Central Hardwood Region and the secondary wood products industries manufacturing wood furniture, cabinets, and architectural millwork.
Graduates in wood products manufacturing technology curriculum offer employers in the wood products industries an understanding of wood structure and properties combined with technical expertise in product development, production, and quality control. This combination of knowledge and skills places graduates favorably in the job market.
Engage in the challenge of a unique curriculum combining an understanding of wood structure properties, technical expertise in wood product development and processing and industrial technology. The curriculum provides knowledge of the basic sciences, mathematics, and a strong background in wood and materials science. A broad selection of electives allows the student to minor in other science fields. Modern equipment including a top of the line CNC router is available for instruction.
Graduate: Graduate
programs (M.S., Ph.D.) include research in fields such as product and process
engineering, wood quality, structural composites, furniture production (frame
design, fasteners, alternative materials, rough mill operations). Well-equipped
wood lab facilities, extensive computer capability, and joint projects with
personnel in engineering and statistics provide broad educational perspectives.
|
Contact: |
Dr. Rado Gazo Web site: http://www.fnr.purdue.edu/ |
Department of
Forestry
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Mailcode 4411
Carbondale, Illinois 62901-4411
Graduate: Southern
Illinois University offers a Master of Science degree in Wood Science and
Technology. Areas of emphasis include wood quality (anatomy, growth-quality
relationships) and forest products marketing. (Note: No undergraduate program is
available in the area of Wood Science and Technology at this time.) (M.S.)
|
Contact: |
Dr. John Phelps Web site: http://www.siu.edu/~forestry/index.html |
State
University of New York
(SWST Accredited Program)
Wood Products
Engineering
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
1
Forestry Drive
Syracuse, New York 13210-2786
Undergraduate: Bachelor of Science degree in Wood Products Engineering focuses on the materials science of wood and its industrial uses. Students select emphasis areas which concentrate on management, marketing, basic wood science or utilization. All students learn the fundamentals of wood anatomy, mechanical and physical properties, processing and seasoning.
Programs are available for both entering freshmen and transfer students. Articulation agreements exist with appropriate transfer schools. Practical industrial experience is available through internships and independent study courses. A wide variety of electives available through Syracuse University provide access to engineering, arts, humanities and communications courses. Environmental emphases in policy, biotechnology and ecology are taken at ESF.
Graduate: The graduate program offers Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.), Master of Science (M.S.) and Ph.D. degrees. Research and course offerings cover a broad range. Recent student projects have dealt with seasoning problems, new finishes for wood, decay, residential construction, adhesives, wood composites and ultrastructure studies. Each graduate student has a specific program developed to meet the career objectives of the individual. Advisory committees are composed of specialists in the student's chosen area of research. The MPS degree is coursework only, but requires a practicum where the student works with industry or science professionals on current problems, while the MS degree requires a thesis.
Contact:
Department of
Wood and Forest Science
Faculty of Forestry and Geomatics
Universite
Laval
Quebec
CANADA G1K 7P4
Undergraduate: Undergraduate co-op program offers a B.Sc. in Wood Engineering with emphasis on wood science, wood processing, wood engineering, wood composites, and wood marketing.
Graduate:
Graduate program offered in wood science (M.Sc. (2-year) and Ph.D. (3-year))
with emphasis on wood science, process automation, wood engineering and
development of new utilizations. (B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.)
|
Contact: |
Undergraduate Program:
Graduate Program:
FAX: (418) 656-5262 |
University of
British Columbia
(Canada)
Department of
Wood Science
Faculty of Forestry
2900 - 2424 Main Mall
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia
CANADA
V6T 1Z4
Undergraduate: B.Sc. Wood Products Processing. Students can complete a Minor degree in Commerce. The program is designed to produce graduates capable of managing a wood manufacturing facility using state-of-the-art computer driven equipment. Students gain a thorough understanding of the material properties of wood, as well as computer, business, marketing and engineering concepts. Most students complete a Co-op degree in which paid work experience in industry is combined with the academic portion of the program.
Graduate: Graduate degrees offered are M.Sc., M.F., M.A.Sc., and Ph.D., in such areas as biomaterials chemistry, biotechnology, composites, drying, engineering, marketing, preservation, processing, quality improvement and wood quality.
|
Contact: |
Undergraduate Program:
Graduate Program:
FAX: (604) 822-9104 |
D. B. Warnell
School of Forest Resources
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia 30602
Undergraduate: An area of emphasis (minor) is offered in Wood Utilization under the Forestry major in the undergraduate program.
Graduate: The
graduate program in Wood Science and Technology is administered through the
Warnell School of Forest Resources. The graduate programs (MFR, M.S, Ph.D.) are
offered in areas of specialization. These include adhesive chemistry, wood and
fiber quality, technology of adhesive bonded products (composites), wood process
engineering and control.
|
Contact: |
Graduate Coordinator for information. Web site: http://www.uga.edu/wsfr |
University of
Idaho
(SWST Accredited Program)
Department of
Forest Products
College of Natural Resources
University of Idaho
P.O. Box 441132
Moscow, Idaho 83844-1132
Undergraduate: The SWST-accredited Undergraduate Program includes three options: Forest Products Business Management and Marketing, Timber Harvesting, and Wood Construction and Design. The Forest Products Business Management and Marketing option is designed to provide Forest Products students with the background to pursue careers in the forest products and allied industries. It provides knowledge of the basic sciences, business, and wood science, and provides extensive training in the major wood processing operations. Students pursuing this option can obtain a second B.S. in Business with two additional semesters of coursework. The Timber Harvesting option provides Forest Products students with the background to pursue careers in planning and designing timber sales, supervising logging crews, designing and laying out roads, and managing logging and wood procurement operations. It provides students with knowledge of the basic sciences, wood science, and forestry and provides training to access, harvest, and transport trees from the woods to a processing mill or factory. The Wood Construction and Design option focuses on forest products technology, architectural design, and business management. The curriculum provides students with knowledge of the basic sciences, wood science, and architecture and provides training for a variety of careers in the manufacture and design of wood products and constructed facilities. Students in the Forest Products curriculums may gain field experience on the college's 7,200-acre school forest, on one of several regional industrial timberlands, or at regional forest products processing plants.
Graduate: Graduate
programs (M.S., Ph.D.) emphasize research in several fields including Business
Management and Marketing (systems simulation, wood processing operations,
marketing, management); Timber Harvesting (site impacts, harvesting systems,
production and cost control); Wood Science and Mechanics (test methodology, wood
properties, drying, structural properties); Wood Chemistry (VOC emissions); and
Wood Building Technology (architectural design, value engineering, affordable
housing, alternative building materials).
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Contact: |