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Range Science

www.ag.ndsu.edu/range

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.

Major Requirements

Major: Range Science

Degree Type: B.S.
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 132

General Education Requirements

First Year Experience (F):
AGRI 189Skills for Academic Success (Students transferring in 24 or more credits do not need to take AGRI 189.)1
Communication (C):
ENGL 110College Composition I3
ENGL 120College Composition II3
One Course in Upper Level Writing: Select one of the following:3
Writing in the Technical Professions
Writing in the Sciences
Researching and Writing Grants and Proposal
COMM 110Fundamentals of Public Speaking3
Quantitative Reasoning (R):
STAT 330Introductory Statistics3
Science & Technology (S):
CHEM 121
121L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Laboratory
4
PLSC 110World Food Crops3
PLSC 315Genetics3
Humanities & Fine Arts (A): Select from current general education list6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (B):
ECON 201Principles of Microeconomics3
Select from current general education courses 3
Wellness (W): Select from current general education courses2
Cultural Diversity (D): Select from current general education list
Global Perspectives (G):
ECON 201Principles of Microeconomics3
Total Credits40

Major Requirements

General Education Requirements40
Required Courses for Range Science
AGRI 150Agriculture Orientation (Students transferring in 24 or more credits do not need to take AGRI 150.)1
ANSC 114Introduction to Animal Sciences3
ANSC 123Feeds and Feeding3
or ANSC 220 Livestock Production
RNG 336Introduction to Range Management3
RNG 450Range Plants3
RNG 452Geographic Information Systems in Range Survey3
RNG 453Rangeland Resources Watershed Management3
or RNG 454 Wetland Resources Management
RNG 456Range Habitat Management3
RNG 458Grazing Ecology3
RNG 460Plant Ecology3
RNG 462Natural Resource and Rangeland Planning3
RNG 491Seminar1
BIOL 150
150L
General Biology I
and General Biology I Laboratory
4
BIOL 151
151L
General Biology II
and General Biology II Laboratory
4
BOT 380Plant Physiology3
CHEM 122General Chemistry II3
CHEM 140Organic Chemical Concepts and Applications1
CHEM 260Elements of Biochemistry4
MATH 103College Algebra (or higher level)3
Select one of the following:2-3
Introduction to Prairie & Community Forestry
Principles of Forage Production
Principles of Weed Science
PLSC 315
315L
Genetics
and Genetics Laboratory
4
SOIL 210Introduction to Soil Science3
SOIL 217Introduction to Meteorology & Climatology3
Select one of the following:3
Soil Ecology
Soils and Land Use
SOIL 444Soil Genesis and Survey3
ZOO 475Conservation Biology3
or ZOO 476 Wildlife Ecology and Management
Degree Electives: Potential of a minimum of 17-18 credits to reach 132.17
Total Credits132

Minor Requirements

Range Science Minor

Minor Requirements

Required Credits: 16

Required Courses
RNG 225Natural Resource & Agro-Ecosystems3
RNG 336Introduction to Range Management3
RNG 450Range Plants3
Select one of the following:3
Geographic Information Systems in Range Survey
Rangeland Resources Watershed Management
Plant Ecology
RNG 456Range Habitat Management3
or RNG 458 Grazing Ecology
Elective Course: Seminar may be used to fulfill this elective.1
Total Credits16

Minor Requirements and Notes:                                                                   

  • A minimum of 8 credits must be taken at NDSU.
  • Students must earn a minimum 2.00 GPA for the minor requirements.