Understand bio-based resources. Decrease reliance on finite resources. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance the role of renewable resources that create an environmentally sustainable world.
A Bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Bioproducts from Michigan Technological University provides you with the tools to contribute to solving important environmental challenges for our planet and its inhabitants. Tomorrow needs Sustainable Bioproducts Professionals who can rise to the challenge. Are you ready?
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What is Sustainable Bioproducts?
Sustainable Bioproducts is the study of using renewable resources to create alternatives to materials that can only be used for a short period of time, are difficult to dispose of, or otherwise present hazards to the environment. Bioproducts come from trees, plants, or other natural resources. Bioproducts can be managed ethically and sustainably to replace items made of plastic, petroleum or other fossil fuels, and materials with limited use, availability, or life spans.
For your Sustainable Bioproducts degree, you will learn a combination of wood product innovation, engineering, business, and forestry. You'll know all about bio-based resources, what it means to put sustainable concepts into action, and how to use your passion for a clean future to help advance the circular bioeconomy.
What Will I Study?
The sustainable bioproducts program at Michigan Tech provides you with hands-on experience in applying renewable resource technology to create a global sustainability movement. Apply biology, chemistry, and math to understand nature and application of wood and lignocellulosic materials. Apply engineering, product design, process technology, project management, and leadership skills. Utilize business practices, sustainability, and the role of the circular bioeconomy in the development of a sustainable society.
Concentrations
There are three concentrations available to guide you in choosing the direction of your career. Pick the area that you care about most. You can specialize in Bioproducts Business, Circular Economy, or Sustainable Structures.
Bioproducts Business
Take classes that help you develop business models that are critical to the advancement and success in the industry. Become a leader in bio-based business and sustain the balance between natural resources, human needs, and economic aspirations
Circular Economy
Complete courses that help you contribute to a more eco-friendly industrial model. Gain a deep understanding of the balance of limited resources and economic activity and life cycle analysis. Understand the current industrial organization, supply chain, and tools for sustainability assessment.
Sustainable Structures
Study wood product innovation. Prepare yourself to create sustainable and innovative structures and buildings that can bring climate solutions like zero-carbon impact to fruition. Get hands-on and construct materials.
Be a Leader and a Teammate
At Michigan Tech you can get hands-on experience through the Enterprise program. Enterprise is a collaborative environment with a business-like feel in which students work on real projects with real clients. There are 26 teams to choose from. The main enterprise that sustainable bioproducts students are involved in is HOTFOREST. HOTFOREST is a circular bioeconomy-based enterprise.
“HotForest’s mission is to promote sustainability by innovating technologies and services that advance the circular economy. We will accomplish this by collaboration between students and industry leaders and community members.”
Be Career Ready
Graduates find opportunities in the bioproducts industry and government organizations such as the United States Department of Agriculture.
Each year, the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science hosts its own Natural Resource Career Fair. ~20 companies from across the US travel to the college in late fall to educate and recruit employees.
Career Opportunities for Sustainable Bioproducts
- Production Manager
- Sustainability Manager
- Product Designer or Developer
- Marketer
- Industrial Engineer or Technologist
- Project Leader
- Furniture Designer/Producer
- Environmental Public Educator
- Field Engineer
- Ecological Engineer
- Resource Conservation Engineer
- Natural Resources Engineer
Michigan Tech Sustainable Bioproducts Majors Have Been Hired By
- Kimberly-Clark Corporation
- Georgia-Pacific Corporation
- Great Lakes Veneer
- Louisiana-Pacific Corporation
- Sauder
- Shaw Floors
- Stora Enso
- Weyerhaeuser