Sul Ross State University
A Member of the Texas State University System

Natural Resource Management

The NRM curriculum is designed to educate students in the art and science of applied ecological knowledge to aid in managing natural resources. Most courses in dedicate a significant portion of the class to field trips, lab exercises and demonstration of field techniques.

With the selection of a concentration and with more than nine hours of electives, the degree offers students great flexibility to customize their education to meet their interests and needs.

Some of the more popular electives for students include biology (wildlife biologist, range scientist), criminal justice (game warden), geology (hydrologist), agribusiness, animal science or industrial technology (ranch manager). A degree in natural resource management opens the door for students who have the desire to work towards the future health of natural resources.

Since many courses have prerequisites, students should schedule their courses carefully when developing their degree plan and consult their advisor.

NRM Concentrations

• Conservation Biology
• Range Management
• Wildlife Management

Conservation Biology

The Conservation Biology Program in the Department of NRM is an interdisciplinary program spanning biology, geology, sociology, education, and natural resource management and policy.

With a Conservation Biology emphasis, the prospective student will be trained in a wide variety of disciplines including wildlife ecology and management, rangeland ecology and restoration, population dynamics and modeling, systems and spatial analysis, and environmental law and policy.

Society for Conservation Biology is an international organization that is motivated "to advance the science and practice of conserving the Earth's biological diversity". Sul Ross State University is proud to have its own Student Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology, any interested student is welcome to join. Additional club information can be found on the NRM Clubs and Activities page.

Suggested Electives for Conservation Biology:

• NRM 2404 Soils
• NRM 3301 Forest Ecology
• NRM 3302 Fire Ecology
• NRM 4406 Range Inventory and Analysis
• NRM 4409 Mammology
• NRM 4410 Orinthology
• BIOL 4403 Herpetology
• AGB 4308 Natural Resource & Environmental Economics
• PS 2304 Environmental Policy and Law

Range Management

A concentration in range management will prepare you for a variety of careers in rangeland resources including: range conservationist, hydrologist, restoration consultant, soil conservationist, ranch manager, and natural resource manager. Classes within your major should be chosen wisely and should include range watershed and hydrology, range and wildlife habitat management, and fire ecology. The Society for Range Management (SRM) is the professional organization for range conservationists.

Suggested electives for Range Management:

(You will need to take the following classes to become a SRM Rangelend Specialist)

• BIOL 2408 Plant Physiology
• BIOL 3405 Agrostology
• BIOL 3602 Plant Taxonomy

(The following are suggested if you plan on working in Ranch Management)

• AGB 2302 Ag Economics
• AGB 4303 Farm and Ranch Management
• AGB 4308 Range-Use Economics
• AGB 4315 Farm and Ranch Records and Accounting

Ranch Manager

If you intend to work in the private sector as a ranch manager, majoring in the Range Management concentration with electives in either Industrial Technology or Agricultural Business is recommended.

Wildlife Management

With a wildlife management concentration, the prospective student will be trained in a wide variety of disciplines including upland and wetland gamebird management, big game management, and habitat management. This training will allow graduates to apply for a variety of positions including: wildlife technicians, wildlife biologists, conservation scientists, natural resource managers, or environmental assessment/planners in the state, federal or private sector.

Our degree plans allow a great deal of flexibility so that you can customize your education. 

Suggested electives for Wildlife Management:

• NRM 4301 Environmental Accessment or CJ 3304 Wildlife Law or PS 2304 Environmental Policy & Law
• NRM 3303 Ecology and Conservation of Natural Resources
• NRM 4409 Mammology
• NRM 4410 Orinthology

Wildlife Biologist Certification

Many of the wildlife students choose to become certified as a wildlife biologist by The Wildlife Society. To be certified as a wildlife biologist (see TWS certification application) the following courses should be chosen:

Suggested Electives for Certified Wildlife Biologist:

• NRM 4408 Big Game Management
• CJ 1301 Wildlife Law
• NRM 4301 Environmental Assessment
• PS 2304 Environmental Policy and Law
• ANSC 4305 Agricultural Genetics

Game Warden

Students planning to go to game warden school should select electives in Criminal Justice. Texas Parks and Wildlife has additional information on becoming a game warden.