Undergraduate Degrees

Ecological Restoration (ECOR)

patrick.jpgThis degree is 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.

Program Leader:  Dr. Georgianne W. Moore
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Forestry (FORS)

Why I Love My Major: EileenForest Resource Management is designed to both educate and train professionals to manage forests and conduct forest research. Whether the primary goal of forest management is timber, water, wildlife, or recreation, students graduating from this option will be well-equipped to provide the forest values which society demands. The educational program in Forest Resource Management option of the Forestry curriculum leading to a B.S. degree in Forestry is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). The Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes SAF as the specialized accrediting body for forestry education in the United States.

Program Leader:  Dr. Carol A. Loopstra
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Renewable Natural Resources (RENR)

jason.jpgThe Renewable and Natural Resources degree is for students with a broad interest in natural resources and ecology, including forestry and associated values such as range and wildland, wildlife, recreation, water, and other environmental sciences. Students may design degree plans emphasizing natural resource management, social and public policy, or biophysical sciences.

Program Leader:  Dr. Robert Knight
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Rangeland Ecology and Management (Ranch Management Option) (RLEM RMO)

I Love My Major: AlfredoStudents 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. This degree is 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.

Program Leader:  Dr. Robert Knight
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Rangeland Ecology and Management (Rangeland Resources Option) (RLEM RRO)

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. This degree is 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.

Program Leader:  Dr. Robert Knight
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Spatial Sciences (SPSA)

morgan.jpgThis degree gives students the knowledge and skills to use computer-based technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and Remote Sensing. These technologies help natural and environmental resource managers in mapping geographical features, patterns, changes, and conditions for environmental decision-making, planning, and problem solving.

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Minors and Certificates

Minor in Rangeland Ecology and Management

A selection from among the following courses will constitute a minor field of study. (Note: the College of Agriculture and Life sciences requires a C or better in any course used for the minor.)

18 hours required:
3 hours - RLEM 314
1 hour - RLEM 324
3 hrs choose from: RLEM 302, RLEM 303 or RLEM 304
4 hours choose from: RENR 410 or RLEM 415
7 hours choose from: RLEM 301, RLEM 315, RLEM 316, RLEM 317, RLEM 320, RLEM 401 or RLEM 481

Notes:

  • RENR 205/215 and BIOL 101 are prerequisites for several of the classes required for the minor in Rangeland Ecology & Management. Students must satisfy these prerequisites or have approval from the instructor prior to taking a class.
  • Students are required to take either RLEM 302 or RLEM 303 or RLEM 304 as part of the minor program.
  • Students are required to take RLEM 314 and 324 as part of the minor program.
  • A capstone course of RENR 410 or RLEM 415 is required as part of the minor.
  • Minimum of 18 hours required.
  • Must maintain a 2.0 or above in minor curriculum.
Minor in Forest Science

Minimum of 15 hours required : A selection from among the following courses will constitute a minor field of study. (Note : the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences requires a C or better in any course used for the minor.)

3 hours - FRSC 304
4 hours - FRSC305
3 hours choose from: FRSC 404, FRSC405, FRSC406, FRSC409, FRSC414, FRSC420, FRSC421, FRSC461.
6 hours choose from: FRSC203, FRSC302, FRSC306, FRSC308, FRSC311, FRSC404, FRSC405, FRSC406, FRSC409, FRSC414, FRSC420, FRSC421, FRSC461

Watershed Certificate

The goal of the watershed certificate is to provide a rigorous and high quality program that will produce graduates capable of working as a professional in watershed or hydrology fields, but with very solid scientific and ecological foundation. Graduates will be qualified to work in government or consulting or if they choose, be prepared to pursue graduate training in any watershed/hydrology science program. Training will be built on a solid foundation in watershed management and hydrology.

Required Courses (12 hrs required)1

RLEM 305: Watershed Analysis and Planning
AGSM 335: Water and Soil Mgmt
SCSC 445: Soil Physics
GEOL 410: Hydrogeology

Suggested Electives: (Select 6 hrs)

AGEN 350: Hydrologic Principles in Agriculture2
AGEN 469: Water Quality Engineering2
AGSM 337: Tech. For Environ. & Nat. Resources Eng.
ATMO 201: Atmospheric Science or ATMO 465 Agriculture Meteorology
BESC 403: Sampling and Environ. Monitoring
GEOG 324: Global Climate Regions
GEOG 370: Coastal Processes
GEOG 400: Arid Lands Geomorphology
GEOG 431: Geomorphology
GEOG 434: Hydrology and Environment
GEOL 420: Environ. Geology
RENR 444: Remote Sensing
GEOG 398: Interpretation of Aerial Photographs
RENR 470: Environmental Impact Assessment
WFSC 489: Wetland Ecosystems
WFSC 414: Limnology

Notes:

  1. Students are required to take RLEM 301, SCSC 301 and PHYS 201 (science elective) as part of the degree in Rangeland Ecology and Management. Students not majoring in Rangeland Ecology and Management would be required to complete these courses.
  2. Requires MATH 151, 152, 251, 308, ENGR 111, 112, 211, 212 (ENGR 211 and 212 restricted to ENGR majors only)