Rangeland Resource Science, B.S.

Learn to manage rangeland ecosystems wisely. Study forage, timber, wildlife, recreation, watersheds, and their interrelationships.

Classroom instruction is enhanced by the university’s plant, soil, and animal science laboratories. Cal Poly Humboldt also has a range herbarium. Nearby privately-owned ranches and federal lands offer excellent opportunities for field study.

Potential careers: range conservationist, biological technician, range manager, environmental specialist, agricultural inspector, lands specialist, soil conservationist or soil scientist, range consultant, natural resources specialist, watershed manager, or ecosystem restoration specialist.

The Rangeland Resource Science major meets the qualifications for “Rangeland Management Specialist” and “Soil Conservationist” classifications for federal employment, and meets the educational requirements to apply to take the California Certified Rangeland Manager examination.

Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. Students must fulfill General Education & All-University Requirements , residency, unit, and GPA requirements as outlined in the Bachelor’s Degree Requirements . This major includes a Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) certified course.

Requirements for the Major (94-96 Units)

Students must complete all courses in the major with a grade of C- or better.

Core Courses (74 Units)

Lower Division

BIOL 105 - Principles of Biology Units: 4
BOT 105 - General Botany Units: 4
CHEM 107 - Fundamentals of Chemistry Units: 4
ESM 105 - Natural Resource Conservation Units: 3
GSP 101 - Geospatial Concepts Units: 3
GSP 216 - Introduction to Remote Sensing Units: 3
or
GSP 270 - Geographic Information Science (GIS) Units: 3
PHYX 106 - College Physics: Mechanics and Heat Units: 4
SCI 100 - Becoming a STEM Professional in the 21st Century Units: 3
SOIL 260 - Introduction to Soil Science Units: 3
STAT 109 - Introductory Biostatistics Units: 4

Upper Division

BOT 310 - General Plant Physiology Units: 4
BOT 350 - Plant Taxonomy Units: 4
ESM 305 - Environmental Conflict Resolution Units: 3
FOR 315 - Forest Management Units: 3
FOR 359 - Forest and Rangeland Policy Units: 3
RRS 306 - Rangeland Management Principles Units: 3
RRS 360 - Rangeland Plant Communities Units: 3
RRS 370 - Rangeland Ecology Units: 3
RRS 375 - Rangeland Inventory and Health Units: 3
SOIL 360 - Origin and Classification of Soils Units: 3
SOIL 460W - Wildland Soil Management and Erosion Control Units: 3
WSHD 310 - Hydrology and Watershed Management Units: 4

Rangeland Specific Courses (20-22 Units)

ESM 215 - Natural Resources and Recreation Units: 3
or
FIRE 321 - Fire Ecology Units: 3
or
WLDF 301 - Principles of Wildlife Management Units: 3
ECON 423 - Environmental and Natural Resources Economics Units: 3
RRS 420 - Introduction to Animal Science Units: 3
RRS 430 - Rangeland Restoration and Improvement Units: 3
RRS 460 - Rangeland and Ranch Planning Units: 3

Approved Electives/Emphases

Complete one of the following emphases for the Rangeland Resource Science concentration (5-7 units), or any combination of courses below or advisor-approved electives totaling a minimum of 6 units.

Botany Emphasis

Complete a minimum of 6 units selected from:

BOT 354 - Agrostology Units: 4
BOT 355 - Lichens and Bryophytes Units: 4
BOT 358 - Biology of the Microfungi Units: 2
BOT 359 - Biology of the Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes Units: 2
BOT 360 - Biology of the Fleshy Fungi Units: 2

Ecological Restoration Emphasis

Complete the following courses (7 units):

ESM 355 - Principles of Ecological Restoration Units: 3
ESM 455 - Ecological Restoration Capstone Units: 4

Geospatial Technology Emphasis

Complete 6 units of advisor-approved GSP courses (not already taken in core requirements).

Fire Emphasis

Complete 5 units.

FIRE 123 - Fundamentals of Fuel and Fire Units: 2
FIRE 323 - Fire Behavior and Effects Units: 3
or
FIRE 324 - Fuel Inventory and Management Units: 3

Natural Resource Policy Emphasis

Complete the following courses (6 units).

ESM 210 - Public Land Use Policies and Management Units: 3
ESM 325 - Environmental Law and Regulation Units: 3

Soil Emphasis

Complete two of the following courses (6 units).

SOIL 363 - Wetland Soils Units: 3
SOIL 462 - Soil Fertility Units: 3
SOIL 465 - Soil Microbiology Units: 3
SOIL 467 - Soil Physics Units: 3

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program.

Identify plants and quantify vegetation attributes
Describe, classify and evaluate soil resource attributes
Evaluate rangeland health using national standards
Communicate effectively, using oral and written means, the factual basis, interconnectedness, and interpretation of rangeland/wildland soil science and management
Demonstrate reasoning and critical thinking skills in solving scientific and resource management problems