Ecology and Environmental Science (B.S.) - Rangeland Ecology and Management Specialization

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Program Coordinator/Contact

Alexander (Sandy) Smart, Assistant Department Head and Professor
Department of Natural Resource Management
Edgar S. McFadden Biostress Laboratory, Room 139C
605-688-6121

Program Information

Rangeland Ecology and Management focuses on the scientific study of rangelands, arid regions and grasslands to achieve resource management for maximum benefit and environmental balance. Graduates are well prepared for careers in a variety of land management fields, as well as agency and private sector positions.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Rangeland Ecology and Management specialization, students will:

Understand ecological and environmental principles required for management of natural resources for multiple-uses, including (but not limited to) wildlife habitat, water management, ecosystems services, recreation, and livestock production. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Problem Solving; Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
Describe how natural resource management fits into the context of society and how societal factors (e.g., economics, policy, laws, regulations, attitudes, behaviors, norms) influence natural resource management. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Problem Solving; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
Lead and work with others as appropriate to successfully manage natural resources. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Teamwork; Problem Solving; Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
Apply natural resource field and lab techniques and contemporary technologies to management of natural resources. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Teamwork; Problem Solving; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
Analyze and critically evaluate data and other information. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Teamwork; Problem Solving; Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
Analyze and critically evaluate data and other information. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Teamwork; Problem Solving; Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
Communicate (both written and orally) with both scientific and non-scientific audiences. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Teamwork; Problem Solving; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
Display professional and ethical behavior consistent with that expected in a natural resource management field. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Teamwork; Problem Solving; Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

The Rangeland Ecology and Management program is accredited by the Society for Range Management.

Course Delivery Format

The Rangeland Ecology and Management program is on campus and engages students in experiential learning in lecture, laboratory, and field based settings.

Requirements for Ecology and Environmental Science Major - Rangeland Ecology and Management Specialization: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101 - Composition I (COM) [SGR #1] Credits: 3
and
ENGL 201 - Composition II (COM) [SGR #1] Credits: 3
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
SPCM 101 - Fundamentals of Speech (COM) [SGR #2] Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity:
ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3
  and
SOC 100 - Introduction to Sociology (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3
  or
SOC 150 - Social Problems (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3
  or
SOC 240 - The Sociology of Rural America (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity: SGR #4 Elective Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics:
MATH 114 - College Algebra (COM) [SGR #5] Credits: 3
or higher level SGR #5 course
Goal #6 Natural Sciences: BIOL 151-151L - General Biology I and Lab (COM) [SGR #6] Credits: 4  and
CHEM 106-106L - Chemistry Survey and Lab (COM) [SGR #6] Credits: 3, 1
  or
CHEM 112-112L - General Chemistry I and Lab (COM) [SGR #6] Credits: 3, 1

College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Requirements

Bachelor of Science Requirements: 11

Students who wish to complete a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences must complete a minimum of 11 credits from the approved list of Group 1 courses. Some departments require specific courses from the list, whereas others leave the selection entirely to the student and the advisor.

System General Education Requirements and/or major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Please review major requirements and the Group 1 list to determine if additional courses are required.

ABS 475-475L - Integrated Natural Resource Management and Lab Credits: 3 (Major Requirement)
NRM 282-282L - Natural Resource Statistics and Lab Credits: 3 (Major Requirement)
PS 213-213L - Soils and Lab [SGR #6] Credits: 2, 1 (Major Requirement)
RANG 205 - Introduction to Range Management [SGR #6] Credits: 3 (Major Requirement)

Major Requirements

ABS 475-475L - Integrated Natural Resource Management and Lab Credits: 3
BIOL 153-153L - General Biology II and Lab (COM) [SGR #6] Credits: 4
or BOT 201-201L - General Botany and Lab (COM) [SGR #6] Credits: 3
or NRM 200-200L - Animal Diversity and Lab Credits: 3
CHEM 108-108L - Organic and Biochemistry and Lab (COM) [SGR #6] Credits: 4,1
or CHEM 114-114L - General Chemistry II and Lab (COM) [SGR #6] Credits: 3, 1
EES 425-425L/525-525L - Disturbance and Restoration Ecology and Lab Credits: 3
GEOG 372-372L - Introduction to GIS and Lab (COM) Credits: 3
NRM 119 - Orientation to Natural Resource Management Credits: 2
NRM 230 - Natural Resource Management Techniques Credits: 3
NRM 276 - Scientific Communications Credits: 1
NRM 282-282L - Natural Resource Statistics and Lab Credits: 3
NRM 300 - Laws and Policies in Natural Resource Management Credits: 3
NRM 311 - Principles of Ecology (COM) Credits: 3
PHYS 101-101L - Survey of Physics and Lab (COM) [SGR #6] Credits: 4
or PHYS 111-111L - Introduction to Physics I and Lab (COM) [SGR #6] Credits: 4
PS 213-213L - Soils and Lab [SGR #6] Credits: 2, 1
RANG 205 - Introduction to Range Management [SGR #6] Credits: 3
RANG 210-210L - Range Plant Identification and Lab Credits: 2
RANG 215 - Introduction to Integrated Ranch Management Credits: 3
RANG 321 - Wildland Ecosystems Credits: 3
RANG 374-374L - Habitat Conservation and Management and Lab Credits: 4
RANG 400 - Judging Teams Credits: 1
RANG 421-521 - Grassland Fire Ecology Credits: 3
RANG 425-425L/525-525L - Rangeland Assessment and Monitoring Lab Credits: 3
RANG 491-591 - Independent Study Credits: 1-3 (1 credit required)
or RANG 494 - Internship Credits: 1-12  (1 credit required)
or RANG 496 - Field Experience (COM) Credits: 1-12  (1 credits required)
or RANG 498 - Undergraduate Research/Scholarship (COM) Credits: 1-4  (1 credit required)

Supporting Coursework

AS 101-101L - Introduction to Animal Science and Lab Credits: 3, 1
BOT 301-301L - Plant Systematics (COM) Credits: 3
AS 218 - Survey of Animal Nutrition Credits: 3
PRAG 410-410L/510-510L - Soil Geography and Land Use Interpretation and Lab Credits: 2, 1
or PS 462-462L/562-562L - Environmental Soil Management and Lab Credits: 3

Select from the following

Select 6 credits from the following courses. Credits: 6

AGEC 271 - Farm and Ranch Management Credits: 3
BOT 303-303L - Forest Ecology and Management and Lab Credits: 3
PS 313 - Forage Crop and Pasture Management Credits: 3
WL 220 - Introduction to Wildlife and Fisheries Management Credits: 3

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
System General Education Requirements	32 Credit Hours
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Requirements*	11 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	61-63 Credit Hours
Supporting Coursework	19 Credit Hours
6-8	6-8 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements, Major Requirements, and Supporting Coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.

Ecology and Environmental Sciences (B.S.) - Rangeland Ecology and Management Specialization