Curriculum

Undergraduate Program

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Sustainable Bioproducts Major

As a Sustainable Bioproducts major, you will develop a strong foundation in the manufacturing of wood and fiber-based products, their physical and mechanical properties, environmental implications, marketing, sales, and trading of wood and composite materials composed of agricultural resides and other natural fibers. Your courses will also familiarize you with specialty chemicals such as polymers and adhesives from natural resources, and bioenergy such as bio-oils, alcohols, and pelletized fuels, which are increasingly important to sustainable industrial production. With opportunities to participate in hands-on learning, the program seeks to prepare students to utilize the state's timber and agricultural residues, increase the use life of wood and non-wood materials, and enhance sustainability by use of preservative treatments and developing improved designs.

You must choose a specified major core curriculum and one of two academic pathways:

  1. Business - Forest Products Manufacturing & Engineering Technology
  2. Science - Wood & Environmental Science
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Background Image Alternative Text: Students in the lab
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Concentrations

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Forest Products Manufacturing & Engineering Technology
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Wood & Environmental Science

Sustainable Bioproducts Accelerated Program (Thrive in Five)

Accelerate your opportunities to learn and grow! The Department of Sustainable Bioproducts offers an Accelerated BS/MS program to highly qualified MSU undergraduates enrolled as SBP majors. This program gives you the opportunity to earn graduate credit while completing your Bachelor's program, and it is offered in several departments across the university. Currently enrolled SBP undergraduates who have completed 60 credit hours toward a Bachelor's degree, and who have a GPA of 3.5 or higher for all undergraduate work may apply for the program by contacting Dr. Beth Stokes (b.stokes@msstate.edu) in the Department of Sustainable Bioproducts for further information. If you qualify for and apply to the program, you may receive dual credit for split-level courses (4000-level and 6000-level) taken during your final year of undergraduate studies. You may also choose to transition into a Master's program immediately following your Bachelor's degree, completing both programs in as few as five years in total.

Sustainable Bioproducts Minor

Majoring in a field that deals with natural materials such as construction, design, business and production management, or a scientific field such as chemistry, engineering, environmental science, and biotechnology? Broaden your skill set and career opportunities with a minor in Sustainable Bioproducts. This minor is available to non-majors and will provide you with the knowledge of wood products, bio-based composites, polymers, chemicals, and fuels. The courses focus on material properties, environmental issues, and manufacturing principles, as well as their marketing and sales. . A minor in Sustainable Bioproducts will also provide non-major students an excellent background for entering a graduate degree program in Sustainable Bioproducts. A total of 18 hours is required to obtain a Sustainable Bioproducts minor.

Organizations

Explore your passions and opportunities for growth in your new profession. Choose from a myriad of clubs and organizations, which provide opportunities to network, learn new skills and make new friends. Many of our organizations offer opportunities to gain professional experience while receiving college credit and a stipend for your contribution. Employers even come to campus to interview and employ our students, often meeting with them during club meetings. Studies have shown that employers give preference to students who have acquired professional experience prior to graduation, so joining an organization can help place you on the path to a successful career.

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Career Information

The forest products industry is one of the most vital industries in the state of Mississippi and in the United States. The combined employment of the furniture, lumber, wood products, composites, and paper sectors on the economy far exceeds the employment of any other manufacturing sector in the state. As a graduate in Sustainable Bioproducts, you’re not only investing in your own future but also in the future of the forest products industry. Industry leaders in Mississippi recognize the need for well-trained young people to shape the industry’s future, continuing to improve manufacturing processes to allow compatibility with a changing raw material base. Mississippi State's forest products graduates have always been in demand with a high placement rate, relatively high starting salaries and excellent opportunities for advancement. Career opportunities abound in many sectors of the industry, at home in Mississippi and beyond. Four of these include manufacturing, marketing, technical services, and research.

Want more information? Contact Rubin Shmulsky

Where can I work with a degree in Sustainable Bioproducts?

Manufacturing Careers

Manufacturing is the most diverse area within the forest products field and the one chosen most often by students at Mississippi State. In a manufacturing career, you’ll be involved with product and process development, quality or production control, engineering, personnel relations, and/or management. Graduates who specialize in this area may initially find employment as production supervisors, management trainees and design engineers for companies specializing in timber construction, or quality control technicians in forest products. Many move on to become plant managers and executives.

Marketing Careers

Manufacturing is the most diverse area within the forest products field and the one chosen most often by students at Mississippi State. In a manufacturing career, you’ll be involved with product and process development, quality or production control, engineering, personnel relations, and/or management. Graduates who specialize in this area may initially find employment as production supervisors, management trainees and design engineers for companies specializing in timber construction, or quality control technicians in forest products. Many move on to become plant managers and executives.

Technical Service Careers

As a technical service representative for a wood industry supplier, you’ll apply your knowledge of wood to enhance the efficiency of your client’s operations. Chemical companies, machinery manufacturers, and other service-oriented business hire technical service representatives. You might also find employment with forest products associations, the federal government, or state governments, providing technical input about broad industry problems, answering consumers' questions and establishing product standards. Forest products companies employ technical, environmental, and engineering specialists, especially in multi-plant operations.

Research Careers

As a technical service representative for a wood industry supplier, you’ll apply your knowledge of wood to enhance the efficiency of your client’s operations. Chemical companies, machinery manufacturers, and other service-oriented business hire technical service representatives. You might also find employment with forest products associations, the federal government, or state governments, providing technical input about broad industry problems, answering consumers' questions and establishing product standards. Forest products companies employ technical, environmental, and engineering specialists, especially in multi-plant operations.

Job Titles of Sustainable Bioproducts Graduates with a B. S. Degree:

  • Management Trainee - Anderson-Tully Company
  • Quality Assurance Technician - Zildjan Percussion
  • Rough Mill Supervisor - Batesville Casket Company
  • Sales Service Representative - Neste Resins
  • Environmental Engineer - Georgia Pacific Corporation
  • Development Engineer - OMG Americas
  • Product Engineer - Georgia Pacific Corporation
  • Environmental Compliance Manager - Georgia Pacific Corporation
  • Products Specialist - Kop-Coat, Inc.
  • Process Improvement Manager - Norbord Mississippi, Inc.
  • Production Superintendent - Temple-Inland
  • Plant Manager - Koppers Industries, Inc.
  • Chip Procurement Supervisor - Riverwood International
  • Environmental Coordinator - AKZO Nobel Coatings, Inc.