This 5-year combination program equips students with both the biological science foundation and the policy fluency to influence decision-making at local, national and global levels. The program will include a capstone project, technical training and leadership development. These experiences prepare students to tackle real conservation challenges and collaborate with stakeholders from diverse sectors.
This 5-year combination program, comprising the Bachelor of Science in Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management (Wildlife Management Track) and the Master of Natural Resources, allows high-performing undergraduate students to streamline their undergraduate and professional education.
Wildlife conservation today demands professionals who can interpret ecological data and translate it into actionable policy. The combination program equips students with both the biological science foundation and the policy fluency to influence decision-making at local, national and global levels. Graduates entering the workforce will have advanced credentials and a competitive edge. This is especially valuable in fields like wildlife consulting, environmental law and public land management. These experiences prepare students to tackle real conservation challenges and collaborate with stakeholders from diverse sectors.
The undergraduate curriculum equips students with a range of tools for conserving and managing wildlife populations and their habitats. The program provides a blend of ecological science, practical fieldwork and policy understanding. While still completing undergraduate credits, students begin graduate coursework in natural resource management to refine and extend their skills in critical thinking, problem-solving and communication.
Plan of Study Grid | First Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| AGEC 105 | Introduction to Agricultural Economics | 3 |
| BIOL 111 | Introductory Biology I | 4 |
| ENGL 104 | Composition and Rhetoric | 3 |
| MATH 140 | Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences 1 | 3 |
| RWFM 101 | Exploring Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management 1 | 1 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 14 |
| Spring |
|---|
| BIOL 112 | Introductory Biology II | 4 |
| ECCB 205 | Fundamentals of Ecology 1 | 3 |
| ECCB 215 | Fundamentals of Ecology--Laboratory | 1 |
| MATH 142 | Business Calculus 1 | 3 |
| RWFM 202 | Concepts in Applied Plant Biology 1 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 14 |
| Second Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| CHEM 119 | Fundamentals of Chemistry I | 4 |
ENGL 210
| Technical and Professional Writing
or Public Speaking | 3 |
| POLS 206 | American National Government | 3 |
| RWFM 375 | Conservation of Natural Resources 1 | 3 |
| 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
| Spring |
|---|
| POLS 207 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| RWFM 305 | Principles and Practices of Wildlife and Fisheries Management 1 | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 2 | 4 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
| Summer |
|---|
| RWFM 333 | Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Field Techniques 1 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 3 |
| Third Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| ECCB 302 | Diversity and Evolution of Vertebrates 1 | 3 |
| RWFM 302 | Wildland Plants of North America 1 | 3 |
| RWFM 314 | Principles of Rangeland Management Around the World 1 | 3 |
| RWFM 651 | Geographic Information System for Resource Management 1,3 | 3 |
| STAT 302 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
| Spring |
|---|
| RWFM 308 | Fish and Wildlife Laws and Administration 1 | 3 |
| RWFM 350 | Wildlife and Fisheries Population Dynamics 1 | 3 |
| RWFM 621 | Communicating Natural Resources 1,3 | 3 |
| 3 |
| Herpetology | |
| General Mammalogy | |
| General Ornithology | |
| 4 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
| Summer |
|---|
| RWFM 484 | Internship 1 | 1 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 1 |
| Fourth Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| RWFM 370 | Aquatic Vegetation Identification and Management 1 | 3 |
| RWFM 406 | Wildlife Habitat Management 1 | 3 |
| 3 |
| 2 | 4 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 13 |
| Spring |
|---|
| AGEC 325 | Principles of Farm and Ranch Management | 3 |
RWFM 345
| Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Management and Policy 1
or Natural Resources Policy | 3 |
| RWFM 408 | Techniques of Wildlife Management 1 | 3 |
| RWFM 481 | Senior Seminar 1 | 1 |
| 4 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 13 |
| Summer |
|---|
| RWFM 684 | Professional Internship | 3 |
| RWFM 685 | Directed Studies | 5 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 8 |
| Fifth Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| RWFM 629 | Private Land Stewardship | 3 |
| RWFM 660 | Leadership in Natural Resource Management | 3 |
| RWFM 670 | Environmental Impact Assessment | 3 |
| RWFM 681 | Seminar | 1 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 10 |
| Spring |
|---|
| 5 | 12 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 12 |
| | Total Semester Credit Hours | 150 |
Graduation requirements include a requirement for 3 hours of International and Cultural Diversity courses and 3 hours of Cultural Discourse courses. A course satisfying a Core category, a college/department requirement, or a free elective can be used to satisfy this requirement. Select in consultation with an academic advisor.
The program includes a total of 156 hours which up to 6 hours may be applied toward both the Bachelor of Science in Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management and the Master of Natural Resources (face-to-face or online) program.
