University Catalog 2023-2024

Sustainable Materials and Technology (BS): SMT Wood Products Concentration

To see more about what you will learn in this program, visit the Learning Outcomes website!

The Sustainable Materials & Technology degree prepares students for 21st century jobs helping businesses and communities reduce their ecological footprint through efficient use of renewable natural materials, such as wood, bamboo and cork, in the manufacture and use of value-added products. You'll gain a strong foundation in environmental science, economics, social sciences, and materials science which prepares you to design, manufacture and sell sustainable bio-based products. This degree is for students interested in a career in a growing field with job flexibility, high placement rates, great starting salaries, a tradition of success and an unlimited future.

Summer Internship

Graduates of the Sustainable Materials and Technology program enter the real world with hands-on experience gained through internships, lab experiments, and practical coursework. More than one half of students participate in paid undergraduate research and work study opportunities. In addition, students are required to complete a paid summer internship or a semester co-op with a company in the industry. There are many other summer employment opportunities that are available to you beyond the required internship.

Contact

Perry N. Peralta
Director of Undergraduate Programs
919.515.5731
perry_peralta@ncsu.edu

Plan Requirements

Departmental Requirements
Select one of the following:3
Student Success in Environmental First Year
and Exploring the Environment
Introduction to Environmental Sciences
SMT 200Introduction to Sustainable Materials and Technology3
SMT 203Physical Properties of Sustainable Materials4
SMT 210Sustainable Materials Internship1
SMT 301Chemistry of Sustainable Materials3
SMT 441Mechanical Properties of Sustainable Materials4
SMT 444Sustainable Composites and Biopolymers3
SMT 450Sustainable Business and Innovation2
SMT 483Capstone in Sustainable Materials and Technology3
PSE 476Environmental Life Cycle Analysis3
MIE 201Introduction to Business Processes3
EC 205Fundamentals of Economics3
ISE 311Engineering Economic Analysis3
Select one of the following:3
U.S. Environmental Law and Politics
Global Environmental Politics
Environmental Law & Economic Policy
Mathematics & Natural Sciences
Select one of the following Calculus courses:3
Elements of Calculus
Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A
Calculus I
ST 311Introduction to Statistics3
CH 101Chemistry - A Molecular Science3
CH 102General Chemistry Laboratory1
CH 220Introductory Organic Chemistry3
CH 222Organic Chemistry I Lab1
Select one of the following Physics courses:4
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory
College Physics I
BIO 181Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity4
Concentration Requirements
SMT 202Anatomy and Properties of Renewable Materials3
SMT 206Wood Manufacturing Site Visits1
SMT 240Introduction to Wood Products Industries2
SMT 308Wood Processing4
Advised Electives 215
Courses should expand student’s sustainability portfolio and must be approved by a faculty advisor.
Advised IP Elective 22
Technical Electives 215
Student is encouraged to select courses that will fulfill an academic minor. Courses should enhance student’s career objectives and must be approved by a faculty advisor.
General Education Program (GEP) Courses
ENG 101Academic Writing and Research 14
GEP Humanities6
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP U.S. Diversity (Verify Requirement)
GEP Global Knowledge (Verify Requirement)
Foreign Language Proficiency (Verify Requirement)
Total Hours120

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
Select one of the following: 3
Student Success in Environmental First Year
and Exploring the Environment
 
Introduction to Environmental Sciences  
SMT 200 Introduction to Sustainable Materials and Technology 3
MA 121 Elements of Calculus (CP) 3
BIO 181 Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 4
GEP Humanities 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
SMT 240 Introduction to Wood Products Industries 2
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 1 4
CH 101 Chemistry - A Molecular Science (CP) 3
CH 102 General Chemistry Laboratory (CP) 1
Select one of the following Physics electives: 4
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I  
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory  
College Physics I  
 Hours14
Second Year
Fall Semester
SMT 202 Anatomy and Properties of Renewable Materials (CP) 3
CH 220 Introductory Organic Chemistry (CP) 3
CH 222 Organic Chemistry I Lab (CP) 1
MIE 201 Introduction to Business Processes 3
Advised Elective 2 3
Technical Elective 3 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
SMT 203 Physical Properties of Sustainable Materials (CP) 4
EC 205 Fundamentals of Economics 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
Advised Elective 2 3
Advised Elective 2 3
 Hours14
Summer
SMT 206 Wood Manufacturing Site Visits 1
SMT 210 Sustainable Materials Internship 1
 Hours2
Third Year
Fall Semester
SMT 308 Wood Processing 4
ST 311 Introduction to Statistics 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
Advised Elective 2 3
Technical Elective 3 3
 Hours14
Spring Semester
SMT 301 Chemistry of Sustainable Materials (CP) 3
ISE 311 Engineering Economic Analysis 3
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 3
Advised Elective 2 3
Technical Elective 3 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
SMT 441 Mechanical Properties of Sustainable Materials 4
SMT 444 Sustainable Composites and Biopolymers 3
SMT 450 Sustainable Business and Innovation 2
PSE 476 Environmental Life Cycle Analysis 3
Technical Elective 3 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
SMT 483 Capstone in Sustainable Materials and Technology 3
Environmental Law Elective 3
GEP Humanities 3
Technical Elective 3 3
Advised IP Elective 2 2-3
 Hours14
 Total Hours120

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Sustainable Materials and Technology curriculum have many and varied job opportunities upon graduation with most receiving more than one job offer. Graduates enter the industry as management trainees, sales trainees, process engineers, quality assurance specialist, research & development associates and many others.