Curricula in Rangeland Ecology and Management
Students majoring in Rangeland Ecology
and Management are taught to integrate knowledge and technology
in a systems approach to manage land for sustainable utilization
of natural resources. Emphasis is placed on conservation and
maintenance of biological diversity in wet to arid environments
and our sustainable production, conservation and function of
land. Rangelands comprise approximately 50% of the land area
of the United States and the world. Natural resources on rangelands
provide many products and values for society including: livestock
grazing, habitat for game and non-game wildlife, water for urban
and agricultural uses, recreational opportunities, minerals,
oil and gas. The expansiveness and diversity of rangelands require
that knowledge and technology be drawn from numerous disciplines.
Students majoring in Rangeland Ecology and Management are taught
to integrate knowledge and technology in a systems approach to
manage land for sustainable utilization of natural resources.
Emphasis is placed on conservation and maintenance of biological
diversity in wet to arid environments.
Employment opportunities are varied.
They include all aspects of natural resource management, including
ranch management, environmental consulting, conservation and
natural resource planning on private lands and with state and
federal agencies. Students also find employment in agribusiness
sales, marketing, agricultural finance real estate, consulting
and reclamation. Students can also pursue professional careers
in teaching agricultural science.
Two options in the Rangeland Ecology
and Management curriculum provide the opportunity for specialization
in a minor field.
Ranch Management Option. Designed for students
preparing for careers in ranch management and agribusiness.
This option emphasizes
management and utilization of rangeland for livestock and wildlife
production. It provides excellent preparation for students
desiring to obtain a Master of Agriculture degree in ranch
management. Employment opportunities are available on private
ranches, businesses, and industries supporting ranches and
with state and federal agencies.
Rangeland Resources Option. Designed for
students preparing for careers in the private, state and federal
sectors in the area
of natural resources conservation and management. It also provides
good preparation for graduate study leading to positions in
extension, teaching, research and consulting. It allows maximum
flexibility to orient a degree program towards specific career
interests. Students are encouraged to develop an emphasis area
by selecting 24 hours of directed elective courses in related
disciplines. Several suggested emphasis areas for the Rangeland
Resources Option follow.
Ecology. Designed for students to explore
and specialize in a diverse array of ecological topics. They
study
plants and animals and the ecological principles essential
for effective conservation, management and restoration of the
land and associated natural resources. They are prepared for
careers in resource monitoring, management and conservation
with state and federal agencies and the private sector.
Ecological Restoration. Designed for students
preparing for a professional career in the restoration or reclamation
of
degraded or severely damaged lands. Job opportunities are available
with environmental consulting companies, governmental and non-governmental
land management organizations, regulatory agencies and private
individuals. This curriculum provides a solid foundation for
students planning to pursue an advanced degree in restoration
ecology, disturbed land reclamation or natural resources management.
Environmental Science. Designed for students
preparing for professional careers in environmental management.
The course
work includes a basic foundation of ecological sciences, plant
taxonomy and rangeland management with emphasis on plants,
water and soils. Job opportunities are available in environmental
consulting firms, public utility companies, municipalities
and federal environmental agencies. The curriculum provides
a good foundation for students planning to pursue graduate
studies in watershed management, environmental sciences, pollution
control or waste management.
Preveterinary Medicine. Prepares students
for admission to the professional program in veterinary medicine.
Students planning
to work in large animal practice would benefit from studies
in rangeland ecology and management. Students not entering
the veterinary program could select another emphasis area.
Range/Soil Conservation. Designed to qualify
students as range management specialists or soil conservationists
with the federal
government. The curriculum will provide students with competitive
ratings with federal Civil Service for positions with the Natural
Resources Conservation Service, Forest Service and Bureau of
Land Management. Various electives and work experience may
be used to increase the rating score. Job opportunities are
also available in private and state organizations.
Teaching. For students majoring in rangeland
ecology and management who wish to teach. Directed electives
may be chosen so that, following this curriculum, the student
is eligible to enter the induction year as a teacher of agricultural
science under the Texas Education Agency Plan. Off-campus student
teaching is required.
Watershed Resources. For students preparing
for a professional career in watershed management. Graduates
qualify for employment
as range management specialists and soil conservationists or,
with proper selection of electives, as hydrologists. Opportunities
are also available in environmental consulting firms, public
utility companies, land reclamation firms, municipalities,
secondary school education and private land management.
Wildlife. Designed for students emphasizing
the wildlife production aspects of rangeland management. Students
qualify for federal employment as wildlife biologists, wildlife
refuge managers, range management specialists and soil conservationists.
Job opportunities are available with federal and state agencies,
private ranches, wildlife associations and environmental consulting
firms.
University Core Curriculum
| Required Course |
(Th-Pr) |
Credit |
| AGEC 105 Introduction to
Agricultural Economics |
(3-0) |
3 |
| BOTN 101 Botany |
(3-3) |
4 |
| CHEM 101 Fundamentals of
Chemistry I |
(3-3) |
4 |
| COMM 203 Public Speaking |
(3-0) |
3 |
| ENGL 104 Composition and
Rhetoric |
(3-0) |
3 |
| MATH 166 Topics in Contemporary
Mathematics II (or MATH 141) |
(3-0) |
3 |
| MATH 131 Mathematical Concepts--Calculus
(or MATH 142) |
(3-0) |
3 |
| POLS 206 and 207 |
(3-0) |
6 |
| American and Texas history
electives |
|
6 |
| Humanities elective |
|
3 |
| Visual and performing arts
elective |
|
3 |
| * KINE 198 Health and Fitness
Activity |
(0-2) |
1 |
| * KINE 199 Required Physical
Activity |
(0-2) |
1 |
| |
|
43 |
Rangeland Ecology and Management
Core Courses
| Required Course |
(Th-Pr) |
Credit |
| RLEM 102 Introduction to
Rangeland Systems |
(1-0) |
1 |
| RLEM 301 Range and Forest
Watershed Management |
(2-2) |
3 |
| RLEM 303 Agrostology |
(1-6) |
3 |
| RLEM 304 Rangeland Plant
Taxonomy |
(2-6) |
4 |
| RLEM 314 Principles of Rangeland
Ecology and Management |
(3-0) |
3 |
| RLEM 315 Vegetation Inventory
and Analysis |
(2-2) |
3 |
| RLEM 316 Rangeland Communities
and Ecosystems |
(2-2) |
3 |
| RLEM 317 Rangeland Vegetation
Manipulation |
(2-0) |
2 |
| RLEM 320 Landscape Restoration |
(1-2) |
2 |
| RLEM 324 Application of
Rangeland Management Principles |
(0-2) |
1 |
| RLEM 401 Plant-Herbivore
Dynamics |
(2-2) |
3 |
| RLEM 415 Range Analysis
and Management Planning |
|
|
| or RENR 410 Ecosystem Management |
|
4 |
| RLEM 481 Seminar |
(1-0) |
1 |
| |
|
33 |
Required Technical Support
| Required Course |
(Th-Pr) |
Credit |
| AGRO 301 Soil Science |
(3-2) |
4 |
| AGRO 310 Soil Morphology
and Interpretations |
(1-3) |
2 |
| MEPS 313 Introduction to
Plant Physiology |
(3-0) |
3 |
| RENR 205 Fundamentals of
Ecology |
(3-0) |
3 |
| RENR 215 Fundamentals of
Ecology Laboratory |
(0-3) |
1 |
| Advanced Computer Applications |
|
|
| Choose from: RENR 405, FRSC
461, GEOG 390, LAND 461, or others approved by department
head |
|
3 |
| Science elective |
|
|
| Select from courses approved
by department head |
|
3 |
| |
|
19 |
Ranch Management Option
| Required Course |
(Th-Pr) |
Credit |
| AGEC 325 Principles of Farm
and Ranch Management |
(2-2) |
3 |
| ANSC 107 General Animal
Science |
(3-0) |
3 |
| ANSC 108 General Animal
Science |
(0-2) |
1 |
| ANSC 303 Principles
of Animal Nutrition or ANSC 320
Animal Nutrition and Feeding |
(3-0) |
3 |
| Advanced Livestock Management
elective |
|
|
| Choose from: ANSC 302, 406,
414, or others approved by department head |
|
3 |
| Directed technical electives |
|
15 |
| Electives |
|
9 |
| |
|
37 |
Rangeland Resources Option
| Required Course |
Credit |
| Directed technical electives |
24 |
| Electives |
13 |
| |
37 |
