Associate Professor John R. Hunter, Interim Chairperson.

Professors Britton, Fish, Smith and Sosebee; Associate Professors Demarais, Wester, and Winter; Assistant Professors Dabbert, Mitchell, Villalobos, Wallace, and Wilde; Adjunct Faculty: Drawe, Harvey, Haukos, Pence, Rhodes, and Taylor.

This department supervises the following degree programs: Bachelor of Science in RANGE MANAGEMENT; Bachelor of Science in WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES MANAGEMENT; Bachelor of Science in ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES; Master of Science in FISHERIES SCIENCE; Master of Science in RANGE SCIENCE; Master of Science in WILDLIFE SCIENCE; Doctor of Philosophy in FISHERIES Science; Doctor of Philosophy in Range Science; and Doctor of Philosophy in Wildlife Science.

The Department of Range, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management is primarily concerned with the application of basic ecological principles to the management and use of natural resources. The range management specialization prepares students for graduate school and meets the Civil Service requirements for positions as range conservationists for agencies such as the Natural Resource Conservation Service, Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management. The wildlife and fisheries management curriculum prepares students for graduate school and meets the minimum requirements recommended by the Wildlife Society for wildlife biologist certification and by the American Fisheries Society for a fisheries biologist. The wildlife and fisheries curriculum includes a track for those interested in wildlife and a track for those interested in fisheries management.

Students may also simultaneously fulfill the requirements for a second B.S. degree in the department by completing a minimum of 24 hours of course work. Students majoring in either range, wildlife and fisheries management, or environmental conservation of natural resources must make a C or better in departmental courses to be eligible for graduation.

Students are encouraged to become actively involved in the clubs sponsored by the Range, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management Departmentthe Range, Wildlife, and Fisheries Club and the Soil Conservation Club. These clubs promote involvement in professional societies such as the Wildlife Society, the American Fisheries Society, the Society for Range Management, and the Soil and Water Conservation Society of America. Club activities also include regularly scheduled meetings with guest speakers and social events such as barbecues.

This department offers a minor in natural resource management for students majoring outside the department. For more information on requirements for completing a minor, refer to the "Selecting a Minor" segment in the college section of this catalog or contact the departmental chairperson.

Range Management Curriculum.

Minimum hours required for graduation--135. (Students must fulfill the University Multicultural Requirement.)

Wildlife and Fisheries Management Curriculum.

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT TRACK

Minimum hours required for graduation--135. (Students must fulfill the University Multicultural Requirement.)

*Select one course from the following: RWFM 4305, 4306, 4310, 4403.

Suggested electives for students interested in becoming a game warden are SOC 3323, 4325, and POLS 3350. Suggested electives to enhance the wildlife track are RWFM 3201, 4305, 4306, 4310, and 4401.

Wildlife and Fisheries Management Curriculum.

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT TRACK

Minimum hours required for graduation--135. (Students must fulfill the University Multicultural Requirement.)

*Select 6 hours from Category D, General Education Requirements.

+Suggested electives for students interested in becoming a game warden are SOC 3323, 4325, POLS 3350. Suggested electives to enhance fisheries track are C E 3371, 3171, ZOOL 3406, 4310, GEOL 3322.

Environmental Conservation of Natural Resources

Minimum hours required for graduation--138. (Students must fulfill the University Multicultural Requirement.)

*Students will select one of the following courses to satisfy the physical science elective: GEOL 1303 and 1101, GEOG 1301 and 1101, 1302 and 1102.

**Students will select one of the following courses to satisfy the animal biology elective: ZOOL 3406, 4306, 4308, 4407, PSS 2401.

+Select 6 hours from Category D, General Education Requirements.

++Students will select one of the following specializations according to their area of interest. Of the 18 hours required at least 12 hours must come from one of the specializations listed below:

Technical environmentaladditional required electives GEOG 3404, RWFM 4403, 4408, ENVE 2401, 3404, 4301, CHEM 2401, 3402, BIOL 4310.

Water managementadditional required electives ENVE 3301, 3302, RWFM 4335, 4401, 4330, LARC 4302.

Land managementadditional required electives RWFM 4302, 4303, 4304, LARC 4302, GEOL 1303, 1101, GEOG 1301, 1101, 1302, 1102, PSS 4331, 4332, 4335, MBIO 4401.

Animal population management and conservationadditional required electives RWFM 4305, 4306, 4310, 4335, 4408, ZOOL 3406, 4306, 4308, 4407, PSS 2401.

Courses in Range, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management. (RWFM)

2301. Introductory Wildlife (3:3:0). Introduction to the ecology and management of wildlife populations. Stresses principles, life histories, and management techniques. F, S.

2302. The Ecology and Conservation of Natural Resources (3:3:0). An introduction to the ecology and conservation of renewable natural resources of native lands, including their multiple use for timber, water, range, recreation, and wildlife. F, S.

2305. Freshwater Ecology and Management (3:3:0). Survey and management of freshwater habitats: types of organisms, adaptations, and ecological interactions; and effects of solar radiation, temperature, currents, dissolved gases, chemicals, and pollution. F, S.

3201. Vegetation Inventory and Analysis (2:1:2). Prerequisite: Concurrent registration in RWFM 3302. Techniques and methods for sampling and analyzing rangeland vegetation. F.

3202. Range, Forest, and Wetland Plant Identification (2:0:4). Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in RWFM 3301. An opportunity to develop plant identification skills of range and wildlife management majors. F, S. Field trips required.

3301. Range, Forest, and Wetland Plants (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in RWFM 3202 and sophomore standing. A study of the native and naturalized forage plants of the U.S.; their identification, distribution, ecology, plant communities, and economic value are stressed. F, S.

3302. Range Plant Ecology (3:3:0). The basic principles of autecology and synecology and their relationship to management of the range ecosystem. F.

3303. Range Management Principles and Practices (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. A general course in the principles and practices of range management designed for nonrange majors who plan to enter the ranching industry. F, S. Field trips required. Not open to range or wildlife majors.

3304. Principles of Range Management (3:2:3). Prerequisite: RWFM 3202 and 3301. Application of ecological principles in the management of rangelands for sustained livestock products consistent with conservation of the range resource. Field trips required. S.

4000. Internship (V1-12).

4100. Seminar (1:1:0). An organized discussion of current problems and research in range, wildlife, and fisheries management. May be repeated.

4301. Problems (3). Prerequisite: Approval of instructor. Individual investigation of an assigned problem in range, wildlife, and fisheries management. Emphasis placed on the theory, methods, and practice of range, wildlife, or fisheries field work.

4302. Range Improvements (3:2:3). Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Application of principles and practices necessary to enhance the productive potential of the range resource for all potential uses. Methods for brush management, revegetation, conservation etc. are considered. Improvement for increased domestic livestock production and for enhancing wildlife habitat is emphasized. Field trips required. F.

4303. Rangeland Analysis and Management Planning (3:2:3). Prerequisite: RWFM 3304 or 4302 or consent of the instructor. Analysis of rangeland resource inventories for the purpose of planning appropriate use of such resources. A familiarization with the basic components of a range resource plan and their application in decision making. S. (Writing Intensive)

4304. Fire Ecology and Management (3:3:0). Prerequisite: RWFM 3202 and 3301, general plant ecology, or consent of instructor. The effect of fire on major vegetation zones in North America and ecological changes of plants and animals. Physical effects of fires on soils and plants, management applications, and prescribed burning techniques. F. (Writing Intensive)

4305. Big Game Ecology (3:2:3). Prerequisite: BIOL 1402, RWFM 2301, 3 hours of range management. Survey of distributions and life histories of North American big game species. Productivity, food habits, economic significance and management will be examined. Field trips required. S, even years.

4306. Upland Game Ecology (3:2:3). Prerequisite: RWFM 2301 and ZOOL 4308, or consent of instructor. Ecological approach to the management of upland game populations. Stresses population mechanisms and habitat management of selected species. Field trips required. S, odd years.

4307. Wildlife Investigational Techniques (3:3:3). Prerequisite: Junior standing and AAEC 3401. The basic methodology of practical wildlife management. This involves the routine techniques in data collection related to population maintenance, as well as ways to monitor field research. F, S. (Writing Intensive)

4309. Range-Wildlife Habitat Management (3:3:0). Prerequisite: RWFM 2301, 3301, 3202, 3304, or consent of instructor. A study of wildlife habitats based on major vegetation types and the management problems involved. Emphasis on how other resource demands can be integrated with wildlife. Field trips offered. F, S. (Writing Intensive)

4310. Principles of Waterfowl Management (3:2:3). Prerequisite: RWFM 2301 or consent of instructor. Ecology and management of continental waterfowl resources. Life histories, population management, and habitat manipulation are stressed. Field trips required. F, even years.

4314. Watershed Planning (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. The watershed as a unit of resource-oriented planning and development. Principles and objectives of watershed management. Physical description of watershed. Relationship between land-
use conditions and the water delivery character of watersheds. Watershed analysis, including techniques, collection of field data, and sources of information. F, S.

4320. Natural Resource Policy and Planning (3:3:0). Prerequisite: RWFM 2301. Emphasis on the human dimension of natural resource management. Historical, agency, and private organization roles in policy, planning, and conflict resolution.

4330. Aquaculture (3:3:0). Prerequisite: BIOL 1403, 1404 and CHEM 1307, 1308 or consent of instructor. A global overview of aquaculture including fish, aquatic invertebrates, plants, and design and operation of production facilities. F, odd years.

4335. Fisheries Science (3:3:0). Prerequisite: RWFM 2301, 2302, and 2305. Scientific study of the use of aquatic organisms. Includes resources, sampling, ecology, and analysis of populations, resource conflicts, and management. S.

4401. Fisheries Management (4:3:3). Prerequisite: AAEC 3401. Theory and practice of fisheries management with emphasis on basic strategies used in effective management of aquatic renewable natural resources. Applied field problems, equipment use. F, even years. (Writing Intensive)

4403. Aerial Photo Interpretation in Natural Resource Management (4:2:4). Fundamentals of aerial photograph reading, interpretation, and evaluation. Introduction to remote sensing techniques and geographic information systems. F.

4408. Wildlife Population Dynamics and Analysis (4:3:3). Prerequisite: AAEC 3401, RWFM 2301, MATH 1331, or consent of instructor. The mechanisms of wildlife population changes and their management. Detailed examination of techniques for measuring population characteristics. S. (Writing Intensive) Jan 21, 2020