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 |
