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
|
