Natural Resource Management

"Hands-on experience" is our philosophy in the Natural Resource Management Program. You will find almost all courses in Natural Resource Management dedicate a significant portion of the class to field trips, lab exercises and demonstration of field techniques.

Our degree offers great flexibility to customize your education to meet your interests and needs by providing a wide selection of minors to choose from. Some of the more popular minors for our students include biology (wildlife biologist, range scientist), criminal justice (game warden), and agri-business, 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 our many natural resources. The Natural Resource Management curriculum is designed to educate students in the art and science of applied ecological knowledge to aid in managing natural resources.

Find out more about:

Concentrations in the Natural Resource Management Area

• 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 biolgy 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.

Range Management

A concentration in range management will prepare you for a variety of careers in rangeland resources including: soil conservationist, range conservationists, forester, and natural resource manager. Classes within your major should be chosen wisely and should include soil morphology, range watershed and hydrology, range and wildlife habitat management, and range plant management and utilization. The Society for Range Management is the professional organization for range conservationists.

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.

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

All undergraduates enrolled at Sul Ross State University may choose a minor in addition to the degree. Most students with a wildlife management concentration choose:

Wildlife Biologist Certification

If you want to be certified as a wildlife biologist by The Wildlife Society (see certification application), the following courses should be chosen with a minor in Biology:

Suggested Courses in Minor: BIOL 3306 Genetics, BIOL 4404 Ornithology, BIOL 4406 Principles of Ecology, BIOL 4409 Mammalogy

Suggested Electives: NRM 4408 Big Game Management, CJ 1301 Wildlife Law, NRM 4301 Environmental Assessment, PS 2304 Environmental Policy and Law, NRM 4305 Principles of Plant and Animal Breeding

Game Warden

If you intend to go to game warden school you should minor in Criminal Justice

Suggested Courses in Minor and Electives: any CJ courses

Ranch Manager

If you intend to work in the private sector as a ranch manager you should minor in either Industrial Technology or Agricultural Business

Suggested Courses in Minor and Electives: any ITT or Ag. Bus. courses