Renewable Materials is a multidisciplinary program that prepares students to work with renewable, plant-based materials to solve challenging world problems. Renewable materials such as wood, bamboo, canes, and agricultural fibers are examined to understand their characteristics and how to make useful products. Students gain broad perspectives on current issues associated with the sustainable utilization of renewable materials, including global trade, business innovation, energy production, and environmental impacts.
Students in the art and design option are concerned about wood products on an aesthetic level. This option prepares students to engage with renewable materials on an aesthetic level, whether as interior designers, fine artists or entrepreneurs. Students will gain an in-depth knowledge of how renewable materials can function visually within the human space. In addition, students will achieve an understanding of green building materials and green architecture.
Check out the Forestry/Natural Resources program website!
The forestry field is projected to have many career opportunities coming up in the next decade as many forestry and natural resources professionals retire in the next few years. Students who enjoy working outdoors and want to have a career that focuses on managing our valuable forest lands to conserve and protect resources as well as produce valuable products for society should consider this degree.
Graduation Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 90 credit hours with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. All courses must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better. Twenty-four (24) credits must be completed at Southwestern before the AS degree is awarded.
Courses that are developmental in nature, (designed to prepare students for college transfer courses), are not applicable to this degree.
Complete the graduation application process one term prior to the term of completion (e.g., spring term graduates must apply during winter term).
Pre-Program Courses
Students are required to take the following courses prior to the program courses, depending on students' college placement information. See advisor for details:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CIS90 | Computer Basics (or demonstrate proficiency) | 2 |
| MTH95 | Intermediate Algebra (or placement in higher math course) | 4 |
| WR90R | Academic Literacy (or placement in higher writing course) | 4 |
Program Guide
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CHEM221 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| F111 | Introduction to Forestry | 4 |
| WR121 | English Composition | 3 |
| Required Program Course 1 | 3 - 4 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Winter | ||
| CHEM222 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| CIS125S | Spreadsheet Applications | 3 |
| F250 | Forest Biology | 4 |
| FS180 | Internship: Fire Science | 1 |
| Required Program Course 1 | 1 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| SP111 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| WR227 | Report Writing | 3 |
| PE231 | Wellness for Life | 3 |
| Specific Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Required Program Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART115 | Basic Design I, Intro to Elements Elements Of Art & Prin Of Design | 4 |
| ART131 | Introduction to Drawing I | 3 |
| ART291 | Sculpture | 3 |
| CIS125P | Presentation Applications Microsoft Powerpoint | 1 |
| Required Program Course 1 | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| ART110 | Digital Photography I | 3 |
| MTH243 | Intro to Probability and Statistics Statistics | 4 |
| F180 or NR180 |
Internship: Forestry or Internship: Natural Resources |
3 |
| Required Program Course 1 | 5 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART117 | Basic Design III, Intro to 3D Design | 4 |
| ART232 | Drawing II | 3 |
| CIS125IL | Computer Applications: Illustrator | 3 |
| Specific Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Required Program Course 1 | 2 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 89-90 | |
Footnotes
| 1 | Any Forestry (F) or Natural Resources (NR) course, that are not already required for the degree. |
| 2 | Western Culture - Specific Elective options: SOC206 Social Problems and Issues, HST201 History of the United States, HST202 History of the United States, or HST203 History of the United States |
| 3 | Cultural Diversity - Specific Elective options: ANTH230 Native North Americans: Oregon, ANTH231 Native North Americans: PNW, ANTH232 Native North Americans, or HST104 History of the Middle East. |
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of wood and similar renewable materials that make them challenging to utilize as industrial and building materials.
- Demonstrate command of renewable material moisture content and specific gravity calculations.
- Demonstrate ability to find, compile, analyze, and communicate technical communication.
- Demonstrate familiarity with the diverse complexity of the Renewable Materials industry, and the challenges it faces with balancing business and environmental goals.
- Demonstrate a combination of technical and business acumen that allows effective management of process and people.
- Demonstrate ability to creatively self-direct learning outcomes within the classroom environment and/or through independent undergraduate research.
- Gain information and knowledge to become a better global citizen.