Wood Innovation for Sustainability: Science and Engineering, Associate of Science

Wood Innovation 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.

The science and engineering option focuses on science, technology and engineering when it comes to working with wood products. Students gain a strong understanding of where wood products come from, and test renewable materials to determine how we can use them in new and innovative ways. Students learn in woodshops, labs and even test materials in our climate rooms and earthquake testing room.

This degree was designed to transfer to Oregon State University's College of Forestry. Other transfer options may be available, consult your advisor for details. 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 93 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 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).

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • Demonstrate ability to find, compile, analyze, and communicate technical information. 
  • Demonstrate basic skills in engineering, forest biology, chemistry, business acumen, physics, and spreadsheet applications. 
  • Demonstrate basic understanding of complexity between renewable materials, business, and environmentalism.

Math and writing placement are unique to each student and are determined during the admissions and intake advising process.  Additional math or writing courses may be required prior to taking the math or writing program requirements in this degree. 

MTH251Calculus I Differential Calculus4
MTH252Calculus II Integral Calculus4
BA211ZPrinciples of Financial Accounting4
Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
CHEM221 General Chemistry I 5
ENGR111
Intro to Engineering
or Statics
3
F111 Introduction to Forestry 5 3
WR121Z Composition I 4
Literature and the Arts 1 3
 Credits18
Winter
CHEM222 General Chemistry II 5
CIS125S Spreadsheet Applications 3
F250 Forest Biology 4
BA212 Principles of Accounting II 4
 Credits16
Spring
CHEM223 General Chemistry III 5
BA213Z Principles of Managerial Accounting 4
COMM111Z Public Speaking 4
PE231 Wellness for Life 3
WR227Z Technical Writing 4
 Credits20
Second Year
Fall
BA230 Business Law 4
ECON201 Microeconomics 4
PH201
General Physics I: Mechanics
or General Physics with Calculus I
5
 Credits13
Winter
ECON202 Macroeconomics 4
PH202
General Physics II: Heat, Waves, Relativity
or General Physics with Calculus II
5
Cultural Diversity 3 3
 Credits12
Spring
MTH254 Vector Calculus I 6 4
PH203
Gen Physics III: Elect & Magnetism
or General Physics with Calculus III
5
Western Culture 4 3
Difference, Power, and Discrimination 2 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits94
1

Literature and the Arts: ART204, ART205, ART206, ENG104Z, ENG105Z, ENG106Z, ENG107, ENG108, ENG109, ENG201, ENG204, ENG205, ENG206, ENG262, MUS201, MUS202, MUS203.

2

Difference, Power, and Discrimination: HST201, HST202, HST203, SOC206 , SOC213

3

Cultural Diversity: ANTH224, ANTH230, ANTH231ANTH232, HST104, HUM204, HUM205, HUM206

4

Western Culture: ART204, ART205, ART206, ENG107, ENG108, ENG109, ENG201ENG204, ENG205, ENG206HST101, HST102, HST103, HST201, HST202, HST203, MUS201, MUS202, MUS203, PHL101, PHL102.

5

NR201 may be substituted for F111.

6

MTH254 or higher will satisfy this requirement.