Walster Hall
Room 106
Walster Hall is located on the north end of campus on Albrecht Boulevard, just south of the high rises(Campus Map)
RANGE SCIENCE
Range science is the study and management of ecosystems dominated by natural vegetation consisting of grasses, forbs and shrubs. These often vast landscapes are rangelands and cover 40 percent of the land mass of the planet. Rangelands include grasslands, prairies, savannahs, steppes, shrublands, t
The Program
Range science is a major offered as a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in the School of Natural Resource Sciences. Range science deals with the interrelationships among biotic (plants, animals, etc.) and abiotic (soils, climate, etc.) factors and the use of these factors in management of rangeland ecosystems.
The Curriculum
Range science provides students with the knowledge and experience to manage rangeland resources for the highest continuing yield of products consistent with the conservation of the natural renewable resources. Students are introduced to a broad array of plant, soil and animal sciences. The undergraduate program is designed to provide adequate training in range plants and ecology, range improvement and management, rangeland monitoring techniques and watershed management. Basic knowledge of other sciences such as biology, botany, chemistry, mathematics and zoology is required. Courses in related fields of animal science, entomology, forestry, geology, goegraphic information systems, natural resource management, soils and wildlife management are included.
High School Preparation
High school preparation should include course work in biology, chemistry, math and English.
Career Opportunities
Range science graduates find rewarding, lifelong careers with federal, state and provincial government agencies; private industry and consulting firms; college and university research, teaching and extension positions; and non-profit conservation organizations. The increasing need for research in natural resource sciences has led many graduates to seek further education in graduate programs. Specifically, graduates of our program find jobs as ranch managers, rangeland livestock managers, restoration ecologists, invasive plant specialists, mined-land reclamation specialists, wildlife habitat managers, watershed managers, wetland management specialists and many more in various agencies and private firms.
Range science graduates are in high demand and qualify for a wide variety of careers in conservation and natural resources management. Examples of employment opportunities include:
Federal Agencies
- Natural Resources Conservation Service
- U.S. Forest Service
- Bureau of Land Management
- Agricultural Research Service
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- National Park Service
- U.S. Geological Survey
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
State Agencies
- Natural resource departments
- Game and fish departments
- State land departments
- Experiment stations
- Extension Service
Private Industry
- Ranch management
- Environmental consulting
- Agricultural sales and service
- Agricultural advisors
- Mined-land reclamation specialists
Foreign Assignments
- Peace Corps
- U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization
- U.S. Agency for International Development
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Range science majors are eligible to apply for many program scholarships as well as College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources scholarships each year. Scholarships are announced in spring semester and awarded fall semester. In addition, part-time work and work-study are available through the program and the School of Natural Resource Sciences.
Sample Curriculum
| First Year Experience | |
| Agri. 189 - Skills for Academic Success | 1 |
| Communication | |
| Comm. 110 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| Engl. 110, 120 - College Composition I, II | 3, 3 |
| English Upper Level Writing Course | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | |
| Stat. 330 - Introductory Statistics | 3 |
| Science & Technology | |
| Chem. 121, 121L - General Chemistry I and Lab | 3,1 |
| PlSc. 110 - World Food Crops | 3 |
| PlSc. 315 - Genetics | 3 |
| Humanities & Fine Arts | 6 |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | |
| Econ. 201 - Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective | 3 |
| Wellness | 2 |
| Cultural Diversity | - |
| Global Perspective | |
| Econ. 201 - Principles of Macroeconomics | - |
| Total | 40 |
| Agri. 150 - Agriculture Orientation | 1 |
| ANSC 114 - Introduction to Animal Sciences | 3 |
| ANSC 220 - Livestock Production or ANSC 223 - Introduction to Animal Nutrition | 3 or 2 |
| Biol. 151, 151L - General Biology II and Lab | 3,1 |
| Bot. 380 - Plant Physiology | 3 |
| Chem. 260 - Elements of Biochemistry | 4 |
| Math. 103 - College Algebra | 3 |
| PlSc. 219 - Introductory Prairie and Community Forestry or PlSc. 320 - Principles of Forage Production or PlSc. 323 - Principles of Weed Science | 2 or 3 |
| Rng. 225 - Natural Resource and Agro-Ecosystems | 3 |
| Rng. 336 - Introduction to Range Science | 3 |
| Rng. 450 - Range Plants | 3 |
| Rng. 452 - GIS in Range Survey | 3 |
| Rng. 453 - Rangeland Resources and Watershed Management or Rng. 454 - Wetland Resource Management | 3 |
| Rng. 456 - Range Habitat Management or Rng. 458 - Grazing Ecology | 3 |
| Rng. 460 - Plant Ecology | 3 |
| Rng. 462 - Rangeland Planning and Analysis | 3 |
| Rng. 491 - Seminar | 1 |
| Soil. 210 - Introduction to Soil Science | 3 |
| Soil. 217 - Introduction to Meteorology and Climatology or Soil. 351 - Soil Ecology or Soil. 410 - Soils and Land Use | 3 |
| Soil. 444 - Soil Genesis and Survey | 4 |
| Zoo. 475 - Conservation Biology or Zoo. 476 - Wildlife Ecology and Management | 3 |
| Free Electives | 26-27 |
| Total | 88 |
| CURRICULUM TOTAL | 128 |
This sample curriculum is not intended to serve as a curriculum guide for current students, but rather an example of course offerings for prospective students. For the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of entrance into a program, consult with an academic advisor or with the Office of Registration and Records.
Contact Information
Department of Range Sciences
School of Natural Resource Sciences
North Dakota State University
Walster Hall 106
Dept. #7650
PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58105-6050
Tel: (701) 231-8901
Fax: (701) 231-7861
E-mail: naturalresourcesciences@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/range/
Office of Admission
North Dakota State University
Ceres 114
Dept 5230, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/admission/
(07/12)
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Fact Sheet Index
- The Program
- The Curriculum
- High School Preparation
- Career Opportunities
- Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Sample Curriculum
- Contact Information
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