The Science of Sustainable Solutions
Learn how to craft materials sourced from renewable, plant-based resources into the products we use every day. Combining elements of material science, business, applied engineering and environmental studies, you’ll get a comprehensive look at how materials like wood, bamboo and grasses can be transformed sustainably.
You’ll gain a deep understanding of not just how these materials are created but also their environmental, economic and social impacts. Prepare to lead the charge in sustainable development, driving innovations that support our planet and our future.
Top 5% Nationally
Ranked among the nation’s best colleges for natural resources and conservation programs (College Factual, 2025)
Gold-Rated for Sustainability
NC State is recognized among the top 25 greenest campuses in the United States. (AASHE STARS, 2025)
Career-Ready at Graduation
More than 90% of graduates start careers or enter graduate programs within six months of graduation.
Explore the Curriculum
Our semester-by-semester plan lays out the courses and experiences you’ll complete from your first year to graduation. It’s your roadmap to building the technical and professional skills that set our graduates apart. Popular minors include business administration, computer programming, environmental sciences, pulp and paper technology and renewable energy assessment.
“My degree in sustainable materials and technology prepared me well for my internship. It helped me connect what I’d learned in class to real-world challenges in the field.”
Haley Jenkins ’24
Connect with us in-person or virtually through info sessions and 1:1 meetings.
Hands-On Experience That Leads to Jobs
Unleash your creativity in our Sustainable Design and Testing Service Center, which helps companies revolutionize product development. You’ll design and test products that not only benefit the environment but also prioritize human and environmental well-being. Outside the classroom, students in our program:
- Take field trips to cutting-edge commercial facilities to see the manufacturing process of sustainable products from start to finish.
- Tour eco-friendly, zero-landfill companies creating high-demand products with precision and efficiency.
- Visit deconstruction and reclamation sites to learn how materials are salvaged and repurposed, closing the loop on sustainable design.
“It’s a really small, tight-knit major with so many opportunities that I wouldn’t have had in a bigger program. Everything feels so personalized.”
Cadence Davis ’28
Connect With Industry
We connect you with leading companies and centers that are shaping the future of the industry. Our students secure high-impact internships with companies, including:
- BASF
- Georgia-Pacific
- WestRock
- SolarPack
- Duke Energy
- NC Clean Energy Technology Center
- Environmental Product Development Labs
- Toward Zero Waste
What Can I Do With My Degree?
Our program prepares students to turn renewable resources into the products and technologies of tomorrow. With a 100% job placement rate and an average starting salary of $50,000, graduates step directly into careers in sustainable design and manufacturing.
Director of New Products
Take the lead in crafting innovative products and enhancing existing ones. Combine customer feedback with cutting-edge research to develop solutions that excite and satisfy. Recent employers include Columbia Forest Products.
Certification Specialist
Manage certification programs by verifying that all standards and requirements are flawlessly met. Recent employers include Georgia-Pacific.
Sustainability Manager
Forecast the future, assess current stability and minimize environmental impact. Recent employers include Boise Cascade.
Plant Manager
Oversee production and ensure that operations run seamlessly, efficiently and safely every day. Recent employers include Eastman Chemical.
Quality Control Manager
Maintain top quality by rigorously upholding standards that ensure every product meets high expectations for excellence. Recent employers include Thomasville Furniture.
Project Engineer
Be the go-to technical expert for the consumer, managing schedules, planning resources and leading project-related technical activities. Recent employers include IKEA.
Material Scientist
Dive into the microscopic world of materials to uncover new uses and insights, pushing the boundaries of what materials can do. Recent employers include Pergo Flooring.
Market Analyst
Decode consumer and market trends, analyzing data to guide strategy in producing cost-effective products that customers desire. Recent employers include The Home Depot.
Related Degrees
If you’re interested in the science and technology of paper, consider exploring our paper science and engineering degree for a specialized focus.
Common Questions (FAQ)
What is sustainable materials and technology?
Our sustainable materials and technology program teaches you to design and improve products made from renewable, plant-based resources. You’ll explore how wood, bamboo and grasses can replace petroleum-based materials.
What classes will I take?
Courses cover materials science, applied engineering, environmental studies, business and economics. You’ll evaluate both technical performance and environmental impact. Check out our semester-by-semester plan.
What makes this program unique?
You’ll use advanced tools in multimillion-dollar labs, from 3D printers to thermographic cameras. Through our Sustainable Design and Testing Service Center, you’ll also partner with companies on real product development.
Is there a concentration option?
Yes. The wood products concentration focuses on the properties and processing of forest products and their role in society and the environment. The sustainable packaging concentration focuses on the design and development of sustainable, high-performance packaging solutions that meet the evolving needs of modern industry.
What hands-on experiences are available?
You’ll tour zero-landfill companies, observe just-in-time manufacturing in action and visit reclamation sites that explore product reuse. Field trips show how classroom learning applies to industry.
Can I do research as an undergraduate?
Yes. Students often work with faculty on projects in product manufacturing and sustainability, tackling real industry challenges while building technical and communication skills.
Where can I intern?
Internships are available in packaging, construction, renewable energy and manufacturing. These opportunities let you apply classroom knowledge and build industry connections.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?
Graduates work as sustainability managers, project engineers, material scientists, quality control managers and market analysts. Others become plant managers, certification specialists or product directors.
What is the job outlook?
The market for renewable materials is expanding. All of our graduates secure jobs within six months of graduation with an average starting salary of $50,000.
Why choose NC State?
The program blends science, engineering and business with hands-on labs, industry partnerships and field experiences. With a 100% job placement rate and strong career connections, you’ll graduate prepared to lead in sustainable design and manufacturing.
The Sustainable Materials and Technology Experience
