Curriculum in
Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences
The undergraduate curriculum leading
to a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Recreation,
Park and Tourism Sciences provides students with an education
in recreation, park and tourism sciences, with an emphasis
on problem-solving skills, development of an international
perspective, and the application of scientific principles to
managerial problems. The first two years of studies build a
foundation that spans a wide range of disciplines and bodies
of knowledge in the arts and sciences, and provide the student
with an introduction to the history and concepts of recreation,
park and tourism sciences. The second two years prepare students
with the knowledge and skills for both entry-level positions
and for future professional growth in the field.
Through the curriculum, students develop
the depth and breadth of knowledge needed to scientifically
investigate and select among alternatives as well as the intellectual
skills to organize and integrate their knowledge in new and
more effective patterns. An education in recreation, park and
tourism sciences prepares students to become professionals
with the capacity to learn from life and throughout life.
The department maintains links with
other resource-management programs within the University as
well as exchange programs with other academic entities. Supporting
programs at Texas A&M include the resource management programs
in the Institute of Renewable Natural Resources (Forest Science,
Rangeland Ecology and Management, and Wildlife and Fisheries
Sciences), the Turfgrass Management Program in Soil and Crop
Sciences, and the Outdoor Leadership and Sports Management
Specializations in the Department of Health and Kinesiology.
Building upon faculty expertise, students
may select from the following options.
Park and Natural Resources
Management. This option focuses
on management of natural and cultural resources associated
with park
and amenity development. Land managers and related professionals
operate within a variety of forums that require the integration
of concepts in the environmental sciences, social and behavioral
sciences, and policy and administrative decision-making.
Necessary skills include computer applications for natural
resource management, geographic information systems, impact
assessment methodology, and heritage and natural resources
planning techniques. Students with an option in this field
look forward to careers with both public and private employers
in the recreation, park and tourism fields, including state
and federal agencies and private enterprises, non-profit
organizations, youth camps, and environmental education
programs.
Recreation and Park Administration. Management
of recreation, park and leisure-service agencies requires
expertise in problem-solving,
decision-making, assessment of social and environmental
impacts, personnel, public relations, volunteer management,
financing and fund-raising, marketing of services, and
needs assessments. Skills in working with people in the
legal and political environment are necessary, as well
as the ability to assess and work with other organizations
for cooperative developments in recreation and tourism.
Utilizing computer based decision-aids, students in this
emphasis prepare for managerial careers with public recreation
and park agencies, youth agencies, not-for-profit recreation
agencies, and commercial recreation enterprises.
Tourism Resources Management. Tourism is one of the world's
largest and most diverse industries. To help students prepare
for
tourism careers, this option area introduces issues pertaining
to the management, development, and promotion of places
and events as tourism attractions. Courses in tourism are
designed to collectively build understanding about the
links that exist between local places, host populations,
and various public, private and special interest groups.
Students also develop competencies in assessing economic,
environmental, social and political impacts of tourism,
as well as in tourism marketing. Students in this option
can pursue careers in private sector enterprises, government
agencies, convention and visitor bureaus, and other tourism-related
service organizations.
University Core Curriculum
| U.S. History and Political
Science (12 hours) |
(Th-Pr)
|
Credit
|
| HIST 105 History of
the United States |
(3-0)
|
3
|
| HIST 106 History of
the United States |
(3-0)
|
3
|
| POLS 206 American
National Government |
(3-0)
|
3
|
| POLS 207 State and
Local Government |
(3-0)
|
3
|
| |
|
|
| Humanities (6 hours) |
|
|
| Humanities elective
|
|
3
|
| Visual and performing
arts elective |
|
3
|
| |
|
|
| Social and Behavioral
Sciences (3 hours) |
|
|
| Social science elective |
|
3
|
| |
|
|
| Kinesiology
(2 hours) |
|
|
| * KINE 198 Health
and Fitness Activity |
(0-2)
|
1
|
| * KINE 199 Required
Physical Activity |
(0-2)
|
1
|
| |
|
|
| Communication (6 hours) |
|
|
| COMM 203 Public Speaking |
(3-0)
|
3
|
| ENGL 104 Composition
and Rhetoric |
(3-0)
|
3
|
| |
|
|
| Mathematics (6 hours) |
|
6
|
| |
|
|
| Natural Sciences (8
hours) |
|
|
| RENR 205 Fundamentals
of Ecology |
(3-0)
|
3
|
| RENR 215 Fundamentals
of Ecology Lab. |
(0-3)
|
1
|
| Biological elective |
|
4
|
Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences
| RPTS 201 Foundations
of Recreation and Parks |
(3-0)
|
3
|
| RPTS 202 Foundations
of Tourism |
(3-0)
|
3
|
| RPTS 209 Park and
Tourism Operations |
(2-2)
|
3
|
| RPTS 304 Administration
of Recreation Resource Agencies |
(3-0)
|
3
|
| RPTS 307 Methods of
Environmental Interpretation |
(3-0)
|
3
|
| RPTS 311 Recreation
and Tourism Programs |
(3-0)
|
3
|
| RPTS 336 Recreation
Research and Analysis |
(3-0)
|
3
|
| RPTS 340 Recreation,
Parks and Diverse Populations |
(3-0)
|
3
|
| RPTS 402 Park Planning
and Design |
(3-2)
|
4
|
| RPTS 403 Funding and
Allocating Recreation, Park and Tourism Resources |
(3-2)
|
4
|
| RPTS 481 Seminar |
(1-0)
|
1
|
| RPTS 484 Internship |
|
6
|
| |
|
|
| Required Technical
Support Courses (10 hours) |
|
|
| AGLS 101 Modern Agricultural
Systems or RPTS 101 Intro.
to Rec. and Parks |
(1-0)
|
1
|
| ENGL 210 Scientific
and Technical Writing or ENGL 301 Technical
Writing |
(3-0)
|
3
|
| RENR 201 Computer
Applications in Agriculture |
(2-2)
|
3
|
| RENR 375 Conservation
of Natural Resources or RPTS 316 Rec. Mgmt.
of Wildlands |
(3-0)
|
3
|
| |
|
|
| Directed electives
(12 hours) |
|
|
| AGEC 105 or economics
elective |
(3-0)
|
3
|
| Accounting/economics
elective |
|
3
|
| Statistics |
|
3
|
| Social science elective |
|
3
|
| |
|
|
| Electives (25 hours) |
|
|
| Department electives
|
|
6
|
| Emphasis/Special electives |
|
9
|
| Free electives |
|
10
|
| |
|
129
|
