Rangeland Ecology and Management - BS

S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources

About This Degree

The rangeland ecology and management major at USU is the only degree in Utah nationally accredited with the Society for Range Management.

Range scientists and managers deal with natural resources on rangelands, which are the grasslands, deserts, woodlands, wetlands, and tundras that occupy a significant land area in the United States and around the world.

Students learn to manage and conserve rangeland resources to ensure the sustained output of products and values, such as habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal life, forage for livestock and wildlife, water for agricultural and municipal use, and scenic beauty for recreational activities. This degree program also teaches students how to restore lands damaged by past misuse.

What You Will Learn

Students pursuing a degree in rangeland ecology and management study biology, ecology, chemistry, math, ecosystems, soils, watershed science, vegetation measurement and management, livestock production, wildlife management, and natural resource economics and policy. These areas give them a broad, multidisciplinary education in all of the areas related to range science and management.

Career And Outcomes

Career Opportunities

Rangeland ecology and management gradutes are prepared to work as range managers for federal and state land management agencies, in ranch and livestock management, or in environmental consulting. 

  • Range managers in the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service work with wildlife biologists, fire management specialists and ecologists to improve wildlife habitat, repair areas damaged by wildfires, and manage invasive weeds.
  • In other agencies, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service, range managers work directly with ranchers to improve forage resources for livestock.
  • Nongovernment organizations, such as the Nature Conservancy, hire range managers and scientists to conserve critical habitat for plants and animals on preserves throughout in the U.S. and abroad.

Job Outlook

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION AND ADVISING

Advising

We will build on your goals and experiences while working together to design an individualized semester-by-semester plan. Your personalized plan will help you see a path from where you are now on to graduation. Even if you are unsure of the major you would like to pursue, we can help with resources and ideas.

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USU Locations

LOGAN CAMPUS

Admission

Admission Requirements

In addition to Utah State University’s admissions requirements, the rangeland ecology and management program has special requirements:

  • First-Year students: First-Year students admitted to USU in good standing qualify for admission to this major.
  • Transfer Students: Transfer students from other institutions or from other USU majors need a 2.5 total GPA for admission.

International students have additional admissions requirements.

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