Range Science

Range Science is a unique program that blends ecology and management for the purpose of sustaining rangelands. Rangelands are important for the diverse array of products and services they provide, including livestock production, wildlife habitat, clean air and water, and recreation to name a few. Rangeland ecosystems comprise over 40% of the earth’s land and include grasslands, savannahs, shrublands, deserts, alpine meadows, marshes and wetlands. Rangelands are comprised mainly of native grasses, forbs, and shrubs which are extremely productive and rich in biodiversity.

Just as rangeland ecosystems are diverse, so too are the careers available in rangeland management. Professional career options for rangeland managers are in private and public land management, educators, ranching, wildlife and fisheries, hydrology and economics, scientists, and consultants. The majority of graduates in Range Science find employment with consulting firms, private industry, non-profit organizations, and state and federal agencies. Many of the state and federal agency jobs are as range conservationists with the USDA Forest Service and Natural Resource Conservation Service; USDI Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; and state agencies that include State Land Departments, State Health Departments and universities.  Students in the Range Science program will take courses in animal sciences, biology, botany, chemistry, ecology, economics, natural resources management, plant sciences, range science, statistics, wildlife management, zoology, as well as the requirements of general education.

Plan of Study

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This guide is not an official curriculum. This guide is a sample four-year degree plan of how students might plan this major with other degree requirements to complete their education in four years.Student plans will vary from this sample due to a variety of factors, such as, but not limited to, start year, education goals, transfer credit, and course availability. To ensure proper degree completion, enrolled students should utilize Degree Map and Schedule Planner in Campus Connection and consult regularly with academic advisors to ensure graduation requirements are being met.