Wood Science and technology is a professional, accredited program with an
emphasis on a career in the Forest Products industry. As greater demands are
made on the world’s forest resources by a growing and consuming population, the
development of new technology is essential to meet these demands in an
environmentally acceptable and sustainable manner. Wood scientists and forest
products technologists are vital links to meeting consumer and environmental
demands on our forests. The wood science curriculum prepares students for a
dynamic career in the forest products industry by immersing students in a
comprehensive study of wood material science fundamentals (anatomy, chemistry,
mechanics and physics), and primary and secondary wood products manufacturing
processes. Many of the wood science courses have laboratory components to
reinforce lecture material and as such typically attract students with an
interest in hands-on learning and careers. Well-equipped laboratories and
numerous field trips to industrial facilities ensure exposure to modern and
relevant industrial practices. A capstone course allows students to apply
learned wood science principles to case studies of wood product manufacturing
problem solving. The curriculum also exposes the students to a sound grounding
in the sciences, including mathematics, chemistry, and physics. The combination
of theory and practice is intended to develop good problem solving and
communication skills which are essential for career advancement. The forest
products industry is one of the largest industries in the US, with 1.4 million
employees nationwide. Currently there are fewer than 300 graduates annually with
training in forest products in the whole country. As such there is great demand
for wood science graduates and numerous career opportunities in this field of
study.
The curriculum is designed to be flexible and allows students to complement
their training with electives in specific areas of interest. Many students with
an interest in management successfully combine their program with business
courses. A strong graduate research program (MS and Ph.D.) results in many
opportunities for undergraduates to become involved in research and development
projects associated with the New England Wood Utilization Research Program and
the Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center.
An off-campus-training phase of this program provides summer employment
experience in the field of forest products, including a comprehensive report.
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