College of Agriculture, Life and Physical Sciences (ALPS)

The College of Agriculture, Life, and Physical Sciences serves students that will be the next leaders in the diverse and dynamic STEM fields.  Students in ALPS are interested in pursuing careers in Agriculture including agricultural business, agricultural education, and the ranching industry; Animal Science including the production and care of domestic livestock and horses, the science and safety of meat and food production, and veterinary medicine; Biology including field and lab biological sciences, pre-health disciplines and science teacher certification; Chemistry including inorganic, organic, biochemistry, and analytical; Computer Science including the fields of devices, cybersecurity, gaming and digital art; Geology including field geology, hydrology, and GIS; Mathematics including general math applications and teacher certification; Natural Resource Management including management and conservation of rangelands and wildlife; and Industrial Technology including manufacturing, construction, and supply chain management.

Our faculty stress a hands-on approach to learning with emphasis given to building a solid background in the fundamental principles and specialized experience in the student’s specific field of study.  We pride ourselves in offering excellent facilities and learning opportunities in a student-oriented, learner-centered environment.

Our students benefit from state of the art facilities, collections, and field opportunities.

The Turner Range Animal Science complex with associated ranch, feedlot, horse barn, S.A.L.E. covered arena, outdoor arena, and stalls is located within 1.5 miles of main campus.

The Warnock Science Building with the A. Michael Powell Herbarium, James Scudday Vertebrate Collection, Jim V. Richardson Invertebrate Collection, Analytical Lab, and adjacent greenhouses and native plant gardens tied into the ZuZu Verk Outdoor Amphitheatre.

Computer resources include two state of the art computer science labs, motion capture lab, GIS lab, and RAS technical lab.

The Sierra Blanca Ranch, a Sul Ross State University Research and Teaching Field Site, is located in Hudspeth County between Van Horn and Sierra Blanca along Interstate 10. This 14,700 acre working ranch provides hands-on teaching and research opportunities for students in the Departments of Animal Science and Natural Resource Management. It also helps support the Bar SR Bar cattle herd and the Rodeo Livestock.

The Sul Ross Meat Market located at the Turner Range Animal Science Complex, is a state inspected facility that processes and sells beef, pork, lamb, and goat.  The facility offers students the hands-on opportunity to learn the entire process of meat processing from harvest to sales.  The retail counter is open to the public and offers both grain and grass-fed meats.

The College of ALPS is also the home of the award winning SRSU Rodeo team, with the distinction of being the 1949 birthplace of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.  The Sul Ross rodeo team has earned nine national championships (seven men’s and two women’s).

The Borderlands Research Institute for Natural Resource Management which was founded in 2007 to help further the research mission at Sul Ross Stare University is also housed in the College and works closely with the Department of Natural Sciences.  BRI focuses on research to obtain practical information to benefit land owners and managers with outreach and educational activities to get that information to land managers.  BRI grants support research projects for multiple graduate students and undergraduate students, providing funding and opportunities for current and relevant scientific research and experience with outreach and education.