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

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus

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Three students looking at plants in a lab.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Lora Perkins, Professor
Department of Natural Resource Management
Edgar S. McFadden Biostress Laboratory, Room 142B
605-688-4997

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.

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.

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.
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.
Lead and work with others as appropriate to successfully manage natural resources.
Apply natural resource field and lab techniques and contemporary technologies to management of natural resources.
Analyze and critically evaluate data and other information.
Analyze and critically evaluate data and other information.
Communicate (both written and orally) with both scientific and non-scientific audiences.
Display professional and ethical behavior consistent with that expected in a natural resource management field.

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

Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements

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

Major Requirements

ABS 475 - Integrated Natural Resource Management Credits: 3
BIOL 153 - General Biology II (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
and BIOL 153L - General Biology II Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
or BOT 201 - General Botany (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
and BOT 201L - General Botany Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 0
or NRM 200 - Animal Diversity Credits: 2
and NRM 200L - Animal Diversity Lab Credits: 1
CHEM 108 - Organic and Biochemistry (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 4
and CHEM 108L - Organic and Biochemistry Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
or CHEM 114 - General Chemistry II (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
and CHEM 114L - General Chemistry II Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
EES 425 - Disturbance and Restoration Ecology Credits: 3
or BOT /RANG 419 - Plant Ecology (COM) Credits: 2
and BOT /RANG 419L - Plant Ecology Lab (COM) Credits: 1
GEOG 372 - Introduction to GIS (COM) Credits: 2
GEOG 372L - Introduction to GIS Lab (COM) Credits: 1
NRM 119 - Orientation to Natural Resource Management Credits: 2
NRM 230 - Natural Resource Management Techniques Credits: 2
NRM 276 - Scientific Communications Credits: 1
NRM 282 - Natural Resource Statistics Credits: 2
and NRM 282L - Natural Resource Statistics Lab Credits: 1
or STAT 281 - Introduction to Statistics (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 3
NRM 300 - Laws and Policies in Natural Resource Management Credits: 3
NRM 311 - Principles of Ecology (COM) Credits: 3
PHYS 101 - Survey of Physics (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
and PHYS 101L - Survey of Physics Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
or PHYS 111 - Introduction to Physics I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
and PHYS 111L - Introduction to Physics I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
PS 213 - Soils [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 2
PS 213L - Soils Lab [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
RANG 205 - Introduction to Range Management [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 2
RANG 205L - Introduction to Range Management Lab [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
RANG 210L - Range Plant Identification Lab Credits: 2
RANG 215 - Introduction to Integrated Ranch Management Credits: 3
RANG 321 - Wildland Ecosystems Credits: 3
RANG 374 - Habitat Conservation and Management Credits: 3
RANG 374L - Habitat Conservation and Management Lab Credits: 1
RANG 400 - Judging Teams Credits: 1
RANG 421 - Grassland Fire Ecology Credits: 3
RANG 425 - Rangeland Assessment and Monitoring Credits: 2
RANG 425L - Rangeland Assessment and Monitoring Lab Credits: 1
RANG 491 - Independent Study (COM) Credits: 1-3 (1 credit required)
or RANG 494 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-12  (1 credit required)
or RANG 496 - Field Experience (COM) Credits: 1-12  (1 credits required)
or RANG 498 - Research (COM) Credits: 1-4  (1 credit required)

Supporting Coursework

AS 101 - Introduction to Animal Science Credits: 3
AS 101L - Introduction to Animal Science Lab Credits: 1
BOT 301 - Plant Systematics (COM) Credits: 3
BOT 301L - Plant Systematics Lab (COM) Credits: 0
AS 218 - Survey of Animal Nutrition Credits: 3
PRAG 410 - Soil Geography and Land Use Interpretation Credits: 2
and PRAG 410L - Soil Geography and Land Use Interpretation Lab Credits: 1
or PS 462 - Environmental Soil Management Credits: 2
and PS 462L - Environmental Soil Management Lab Credits: 1

Select from the following

Select 6 credits from the following courses. Credits: 6

AGEC 271 - Farm and Ranch Management Credits: 3
BOT 303 - Forest Ecology and Management Credits: 2
BOT 303L - Forest Ecology and Management Lab Credits: 1
NRM 350 - Conservation and Management of Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Credits: 3
or NRM 410 - Conservation Biology (COM) Credits: 3
PS 313 - Forage Crop and Pasture Management Credits: 3
WL 220 - Introduction to Wildlife and Fisheries Management Credits: 3
WL 411 - Principles of Wildlife Management Credits: 2
WL 411L - Principles of Wildlife Management Lab Credits: 1

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science
System General Education Requirements*	32 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	60-62 Credit Hours
Supporting Coursework	19 Credit Hours
Electives**	7-9 Credit Hour

*System General Education Requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree shall include a minimum of 30 credit hours. Some general education coursework may be counted for Major Requirements and Supporting Coursework.
**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