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Sustainable Biomaterials

Students pursing a major in sustainable biomaterials are working to build a “greener” future through the innovative use of sustainable natural resources to make the cutting-edge products our society needs. This major applies STEM disciplines to renewable natural materials. You'll learn about the use of these materials in the consumer products, green construction, and biofuel industries. In addition, you'll also acquire the skills and knowledge needed to produce and market these materials. Students majoring in sustainable biomaterials take common core courses in the following areas: wood, design, and craftsmanship; structure and properties of sustainable biomaterials; forest products marketing; business management; biodeterioration, bioconversion, and bioenergy; and entrepreneurial wood design and innovation.

Major options

  • Forest Products Business
  • Wood Materials Science
  • Sustainable Residential Structures
  • Creating Sustainable Society

Forest Products Business

Accounting, forest products marketing, forest products business systems, sustainable biomaterials enterprises, and management theory.

Wood Materials Science

Sustainable Residential Structures

House planning, chemistry, physics, wood mechanics, green building systems, and wood structures design.

Creating Sustainable Society

Environmental law, green building systems, sustainable biomaterials enterprises, and green engineering.

Career options

  • Adhesive development chemist
  • Biochemist
  • Biofuels researcher
  • Building designer
  • Field advisor
  • International forest products specialist
  • International consultant
  • Inventory control manager
  • Marketing/sales manager
  • Process automation engineer
  • Process supervisor
  • Process technician
  • Production manager
  • Quality control/process control engineer
  • Research coordinator
  • Research scientist/materials specialist
  • Sales representative
  • Supply chain manager

Contacts

For prospective undergraduate students

John Gray Williams

540-231-4909
jghokie@vt.edu
138 Cheatham Hall


For current Virginia Tech students

Jarek Campbell

 540-231-0956                                             jarek@vt.edu                                                                 138 Cheatham Hall


For all others

Ching Huang

540-231-7100
chinghuang@vt.edu
230 Cheatham Hall