Wood Science and Technology

Accredited by the Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST), the Wood Science and Technology curriculum prepares students in key skill sets using hands-on cutting-edge technology, innovation in new product development, marketing, and manufacturing to directly work in an ever-growing the U.S. forest products industry (biorefining, renewable materials, and sustainable construction). According to the American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA), the U.S. forest products industry is one of the top ten manufacturing sector employers, which employs about one million workers and accounts for approximately six percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP. Some examples of products include: energy efficient green building construction materials, lignocellulosic materials for packaging, pharmaceutical and catalysis applications, highly advanced carbon materials for adsorption and electrochemical applications, energy and fuels applications from lignocellulosic materials, green fibers for textile and paper applications, and sporting goods. One of the most sensible alternatives to reduce global warming is the use of wood as a raw material in manufacturing of various products, which enables an environmentally friendly method to store atmospheric carbon in various wood products for prolonged periods. The Wood Science and Technology curriculum is highly focused on these aspects of the forest products industry.  

Professional Areas of Emphasis

Students may choose a specialized professional area of emphasis in:

• Processing
• Utilization
• Sustainable Low-Rise Residential Construction

Processing Area of Emphasis

The Area of Emphasis in Processing provides flexibility within the context of a fundamental wood science and renewable materials-based curriculum by requiring that students complete a minor plus specialized wood processing courses and restricted electives.  Students transferring into wood science and technology from a related discipline may use the previous major instead of a minor as the area of emphasis provided the student has passed at least fifteen semester hours of core coursework from the previous discipline as indicated by a common course prefix (i.e., FMAN) with a C grade or better and has received approval from the wood science and technology faculty.  Potential careers include, but are not limited to production of wood products and other renewable plant-based materials (including residential construction materials and components, furniture and cabinets, and engineered wood products); marketing of building and related products; and research.

Utilization Area of Emphasis

The Area of Emphasis in Utilization consists of forestry, wood science, restricted electives, and related courses.  The Utilization area of professional emphasis prepares graduates for careers in timber harvesting, forest engineering, primary processing of wood products, and timber procurement.

Sustainable Low-Rise Residential Construction Area of Emphasis

The Sustainable Low-Rise Residential Construction Area of Emphasis prepares students for careers in management, supervision, and specifying of materials for single family and multi-family, low-rise residential (i.e. town houses and 2-3 story apartment buildings) construction.

Special Opportunities

A regional center for development of the wood products industry, the Appalachian Hardwood Center, is allied with the Wood Science and Technology Program.  The center's staff frequently provides opportunities for educational and professional development of wood science and technology students.  Students sometimes find part-time employment in the research program of the center as well as with the faculty's teaching and research program.

Career Opportunities

The U.S. forest products industry employs about one million workers. West Virginia University is one of the nine American universities, which provide accredited programs specifically designed to educate professionals to manage and provide technical expertise to the industry. The unique manufacturing sector focus of the program and the large base of potential employers result in an excellent job market for wood science and technology graduates. Career opportunities are quite diverse. The jobs span the spectrum from standing timber through manufacture of products to their marketing, distribution, and end use.  Graduates may work in sawmills as production managers or as timber procurement foresters, buying timber and planning harvesting operations in accordance with sound forest management and environmental practices.  They may also gain employment as quality assurance managers, production supervisors, and process engineers for companies that manufacture furniture, cabinets, state-of-the-art engineered wood products, renewable construction and bioproducts.  Graduates may become product designers and estimators, purchasers and sellers of materials and services, or supervisors and managers of residential construction projects.  Some of our graduates go on to graduate school in wood science or related disciplines, including forestry, business administration, and engineering.  They work in all parts of the nation and in both rural and urban communities, yet approximately half find employment in West Virginia.  Many of the leaders in the nation's wood products industry are WVU graduates.

Wood Science and Technology

The Wood Science and Technology program established specific expected learning goals as part of the program's assessment plan. The plan was approved by the West Virginia University administration and the West Virginia Higher Education Board of Governors in 2007. The Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST) Accreditation Standards were adopted as the stated expected learning goals of the plan, and include the following:

• Graduates will demonstrate a fundamental background in preparatory and general education courses in compliance with the requirements established by West Virginia University, the West Virginia Board of Governors, and the Accreditation standards of the Society of Wood Science and Technology.
• Graduates will demonstrate a firm understanding of basic wood sciences, including anatomy and biology of wood formation; wood identification; physical properties; mechanical properties; chemical characteristics and properties; wood degradation and deterioration; and composite materials.
• Graduates will demonstrate knowledgeable related to wood processing and manufacturing, including mechanical reduction of the raw material, drying processes, manufacture of solid wood products, manufacture of composite materials, chemical wood processing, and wood protection and enhancement.
• Graduates will be able to compare and contrast a variety of complex contemporary issues of wood use, including demand, use, and impact of use on society and the environment; applications of wood and wood-based materials; choosing and specifying appropriate wood-based products; policy, regulation, environmental and other societal issues; professional ethics; and health, safety, and security issues.
• Graduates will demonstrate competence in an area of professional emphasis that compliments their wood science and technology education.

• Must have at least a 2.5 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale for general admission.
• Must meet English Proficiency or request conditional admission and admission to the Intensive English Program (IEP).
• Please be advised that some Engineering majors may reach capacity and therefore will be restricted from entry.
• For direct admission to some colleges and majors, SAT or ACT scores are required and must be sent to WVU directly from the respective testing services. Please review the program requirements. For all other majors, international students are encouraged but not required to submit SAT or ACT scores, if available. SAT/ACT scores are useful for determining scholarship eligibility.
• WVU welcomes applications from students with IGCSE and O-Level Certificates from an approved UK exam board for admissions consideration. We require a minimum of five subject passes, of which two must be English and Mathematics. The average of the grades must be at least a 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). A passing grade in the subject of English will be accepted as evidence of sufficient English ability.

1. Review the admissions requirements, English Language Proficiency requirements (scores are for undergraduate levels only) and our undergraduate application deadlines.
2. To apply for an on-campus program, complete either the WVU Application or the Common App and include the nonrefundable fee of $65.
   
   WVU Application The Common App

   To apply for an online program, use the steps for WVU Online Campus applicants.

3. Have your Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic or Duolingo English Test scores sent to WVU.
4. Send the following information to WVU:
   • Copies of all official academic records/transcripts in original language of issue (transcripts from U.S. institutions must be sent to WVU directly from the institutions).
   • Copies of all academic certificates or diplomas in original language of issue.
   Note: Original or certified copies of official records/transcripts must be submitted after admission or upon arrival.
   • English translations of academic records/transcripts and certificates/diplomas.