Range scientists and managers deal with natural resources on rangelands - grasslands, deserts, woodlands, wetlands, and tundras - that occupy a significant land area in the United States and around the world. Range ecology and management students learn to manage and conserve rangeland resources to ensure the sustained output of products and values such as habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal life, forage for livestock and wildlife, water for agricultural and municipal use, and scenic beauty for recreational activities.
This degree program also teaches students how to restore lands damaged by past misuse. Current students are encouraged to visit the Wildland Resources Department homepage for current news and information or the Wildland Resources Department's Undergraduate Programs homepage for additional information.
The curriculum meets the USA Federal Government's Office of Personnel Management requirements for the Rangeland Management Series.
Shelly brings years of experience in academic advising, and her love for the outdoors to help students succeed in their educations and future careers.
- Semester-by-semester planning
- Connecting with clubs
- Changing your major
- Academic success resources
- Career planning
- Graduate school planning
- Undergraduate research opportunities
- Selecting degree program electives
FAQ
What is Rangeland Ecology and Management?
Rangelands include grasslands, shrublands, deserts, tundras, riparian areas, and wetlands. They provide a variety of goods and services, including wildlife habitat, livestock forage, water, mineral resources, recreation, open space, and natural beauty.
The goal of rangeland ecology and management is to conserve and manage these lands so they will continue to be productive for years to come.
What type of students study Rangeland Ecology and Management?
Students who …
- Want to apply science to the restoration and protection of landscapes.
- Want to understand the ecology and management of deserts, grasslands and shrublands.
- Are interested in private ranching.
- Want to prepare for graduate study, law school or an MBA.
What do Rangeland Ecology and Management majors study?
Range students get a solid foundation in:
- Biology
- Ecology
- Chemistry
- Math
Then move to more advanced courses in:
- Plant and animal ecology.
- Techniques for vegetation measurement, and management.
- Rangeland ecosystems
Students broaden themselves by taking courses in:
- Soils
- Watershed science
- Livestock production
- Natural resource economics and policy
- Wildlife management
- Courses that improve their communication skills.
What type of jobs do graduates get?
The curriculum meets the USA Federal Government's Office of Personnel Management requirements for the Rangeland Management Series.
- Rangeland managers for private ranches, state and federal lands, and for non-profit organizations.
- Private livestock operations
- Private consulting firms.
- Restoring fire damaged rangelands for Bureau of Land Management or USDA Forest Service
- Non-governmental organizations such as The Nature Conservancy.
What are recent graduates doing?
- Bureau of Land Management
- USDA Forest Service
- Non-profit organization; Quivera Corp
- Ranch Manager, Sun Ranch, Montana
- Utah State Range Conservationist; Natural
- Resources Conservation Service
SAMPLE 4 YEAR PLAN
Below is a sample four year plan. Students should meet regularly with their advisor and carefully plan their academic program, keeping in mind that many upper division courses have prerequisites and must me taken in sequence. Students following the recommended schedule listed below should be able to complete degree requirements in four years or eight semesters.
All courses required for the major must be taken on an A-B-C-D-F basis. A grade of C- or better is required for all courses taken in the major department. The grade point average for all courses taught by the Quinney College of Natural Resources must be 2.5 or higher.
| FRESHMAN FALL | |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 14 |
| ENG 1010 (CL 1) Intro to Writing: Academic Prose |
3 |
| BIOL 1610 Biology I |
3 |
| BIOL 1615 Biology I Lab |
1 |
| WILD/WATS/ENVS 2000 NR Prof. Orientation |
1 |
| Breadth American Institutions (BAI) APEC 1600 recommended |
3 |
| Breadth Social Sciences (BSS) | 3 |
| FRESHMAN SPRING | |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 14 |
| BIOL 1620 (BLS) Biology II |
3 |
| BIOL 1625 Biology II Lab |
1 |
| WATS 2220 General Ecology |
3 |
| Breadth Humanities (BHU) | 3 |
| MATH 1050 (QL) College Algebra |
4 |
| SOPHOMORE FALL | |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 15 |
| APEC 3012 Introduction to Natural Resource and Regional Economics (DSS) |
3 |
| WILD 2400 Wildland Resource Techniques |
3 |
| MATH 1100 (QL) Calculus Techniques |
3 |
| CHEM 1110 (BPS) General Chemistry I OR CHEM 1210 Principles of Chemistry I |
4 |
| Electives | 2 |
| SOPHOMORE SPRING | |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 18 |
| CHEM 1120 (BPS) General Chemistry II OR CHEM 1220 Principles of Chemistry II |
4 |
| CHEM 1125 General Chemistry II Laboratory OR CHEM 1215 Chemical Principles Laboratory I |
1 |
| ADVS 2080 Beef & Dairy Herd Healty & Production Practices OR ADVS 2090 Sheep Production Practices |
3 |
| WILD/GEOG 1800 Intro to Geographic Information Sciences |
3 |
| ENGL 2010 (CL2) Intermediate Writing |
3 |
| STAT 2000 (QI) Statistical Methods OR STAT 3000 Statistics for Scientists |
4/3 |
| JUNIOR FALL | |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 17 |
| PSC 3000 Fundamentals of Soil Science |
4 |
| WILD 3800 Wildland Plants and Ecosystems |
4 |
| ENVS 3010 Fundamentals of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy |
3 |
| WILD 3830 Range Plants Taxonomy & Function |
3 |
| ENVS 4000 (DSS) Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Management |
3 |
| JUNIOR SPRING | |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 14 |
| WILD 3850 Vegetation & Habitat Management |
3 |
| WILD 3810 Plant & Animal Populations |
3 |
| WILD 4000 Principles of Range Management |
3 |
| WATS 3700 (CI) Fundamentals of Watershed Science |
3 |
| Electives | 2 |
| SENIOR FALL | |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 15 |
| PSC 5130 Soil Genesis, Morphology & Classification |
4 |
| Resource Management course: WILD 5300 or ENVS 3300 or PSC 4320 or WILD 4500 | 3 |
| WILD 4750 Monitoring & Assessment in Natural Resources & Environmental Management |
3 |
| Depth Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA) | 3 |
| Electives | 2 |
| SENIOR SPRING | |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 15 |
| WILD 4910 (CI) Assessment & Synthesis in Natural Resource Science |
3 |
| Plant Science Course: BIOL 4400 or PSC 3500 or PSC 5550 | 3 |
| Breadth Creative Arts (BCA) | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
