Graduate Faculty

701-231- 8901

William T. Barker, Ph.D.
University of Kansas, 1968
Research Interests:
Vascular Plant Systematics, Floristics and Range Ecology of the Northern Great Plains

Mario E. Biondini, Ph.D.
Colorado State University, 1984
Research Interests:
Ecosystem Science , Use of Multivariate Statistics, Ecosystem Modeling , Theoretical Ecology , Landscape Ecology, Plant-Soil Relationships

Edward S. DeKeyser, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University
2000
Research Interests:
Rangeland Ecology, Grazing Management, Wetland Ecology and Assessment

Carolyn E. Grygiel, Ph.D .,
MBA, CPRM
Colorado State University, 1983
Research Interests:
Landscape Ecology with Emphasis on Small Scale Disturbances, Prairie Restoration, Natural Resource s Management

Dr. Don Kirby, Director,
School of Natural Resource Sciences
North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105
701.231.8386
donald.kirby@ndsu.edu

Kevin K. Sedivec, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 1994
Research Interests:
Grazing Systems and Upland Nesting Birds, Leafy Spurge Control Using Grazing, Range Nutrition

Program Description

The Range Science program in the School of Natural Resource Sciences offers graduate study leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Advanced work may involve specialized training in the following areas: rangeland ecology, ecosystem science , vascular plant systematics, and natural resources management.

Student research and academic programs are tailored to individual student needs and interests. Interdisciplinary approaches to range science programs are fostered.

Admissions Requirements

The Range Science graduate program is open to all qualified graduates of universities and colleges of recognized standing. To be admitted with full status to the program, the applicant must

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an educational institution of recognized standing.
2. Have adequate preparation in range science or in a complementary area of natural sciences, have a background or interest in agriculture, and show potential to undertake advanced study and research as evidenced by academic performance and experience.
3. At the baccalaureate level, have earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) in all courses of at least 3.0 or equivalent.

Preferably, applications should be submitted directly to The Graduate School by April 15 prior to the upcoming academic year. However, applications will be considered at any time they are submitted.

Official transcripts (transcripts having an appropriate seal or stamp) of all previous undergraduate and graduate records must be received by The Graduate School before the application is complete. When a transcript is submitted in advance of completion of undergraduate or graduate studies, an updated transcript showing all course credits and grades must be provided prior to initial registration at North Dakota State University.

Three letters of recommendation are required before action is taken on an application. Personal reference report forms are available from The Graduate School.

The TOEFL examination is required of international applicants, and a minimum score of 525 (paper test) or 193 (computer test) must be achieved.

Financial Assistance

Research assistantships are available. Applicants are considered on the basis of scholarship and potential to undertake advanced study and research. To be considered for an assistantship, a completed Graduate School application, official transcripts, three letters of reference, and a TOEFL score for international applicants must be submitted to The Graduate School no later than April 15.

Degree Requirements

The range science program has two options for the M.S. degree: the thesis option and the comprehensive study option. The M.S. program requires completion of 30 semester credits of approved graduate and letter-graded course work with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better. The Ph.D. program requires the completion of 90 semester credits (or the equivalent) of graduate approved and letter graded course work with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better.

Each student must choose an adviser, usually based upon area of academic and research interest, within the first program year. By the end of the first year of residence, the student must have selected an advisory/supervisory committee and have an approved graduate plan of study, including a research proposal. The advisory/supervisory committee advises the student and administers the graduate exams to the student. Students are referred to the Range Science Graduate Student Handbook for information regarding additional requirements.

Candidates for the M.S. normally complete their degree requirements in two years. Candidates for the Ph.D. generally complete their degree requirements in three to four years.

The M.S. candidates are required to take an oral examination which covers both the research and academic subject matter covered in their program. Candidates for the Ph.D. are required to take a preliminary written and oral examination directed toward the academic subject matter of their chosen discipline and a final defense of a research based thesis.

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Courses Offered

650 Range Plants 3

Identification, distribution, and forage value of important U.S. range plants. 1 lecture and 2 two-hour laboratories. Prereq: Bot 314. Cross-listed with Biol. Fall.

652 Geographic Information Systems in Range Survey 3

Analysis of methods for determining range composition, condition, and productivity. Emphasis will be given to the use of Geographic Information Systems. 3 lectures. Offered odd years; fall. Prereq: RNG 336.

653 Rangeland Resources and Watershed Management 3

Study of the management of physical/biological settings and processes along with human activities on water and watersheds considering preventative and restorative strategies in a natural resources rangeland setting. Spring. Prereq: RNG 336. Cross-listed with NRM.

654 Wetland Resources Management 3

Principles of wetland systems, wetland management, wetland functions, wetland assessment, and wetland improvement. Offered odd years; Spring. Prereq: RNG 336. Cross-listed with NRM.

656 Range Habitat Management 3

Study of specific techniques and systems approaches to maintenance and improvement of rangeland ecosystems. 3 lectures. Offered odd years; spring. Prereq: RNG 336.

658 Grazing Ecology 3

Grazing processes and systems, and their effects on plants and herbivores. 3 lectures. Offered even years; spring. Prereq: RNG 336.

660 Plant Ecology 3

See Botany for description.

662 Rangeland Planning and Analysis 3

Capstone course to include developing the basics of planning and the use of advanced planning tools for managing public and private rangelands. 3 lectures. Offered even years; spring. Prereq: RNG 336, 456, 458.

716 Agrostology 3

Identification and description of U.S. grasses and grass-like plants. 2 lectures, 2 two-hour laboratories. Offered even years; fall. Prereq: BOT 314. Cross-listed with BOT.

717 Aquatic Vascular Plants 2

Identification and description of aquatic vascular plants. 1 lecture, 2 two-hour laboratories. Offered odd years; fall. Prereq: BOT 314. Cross-listed with BOT.

765 Analysis of Ecosystems 3

Introduction to advanced statistical techniques to evaluate plant communities, plant-animal interactions, and plant-soil relationships. Emphasis on multivariate analysis. 2 lectures. 1 two-hour laboratory. Offered even years, spring. Prereq: STAT 330.

The following variable credit courses are also offered:

790 Graduate Seminar 1-3

793 Individual Study/Tutorial 1-5

795 Field Experience 1-15

796 Special Topics 1-5

797 Master's Paper 1-3

798 Master's Thesis 1-10

799 Doctoral Dissertation 1-15