Rangeland Ecosystem Science

Master of Science (M.S.)

Degree Requirements and Curriculum

Requirements

To complete this degree, you may select Plan A, which requires applied research and a formal thesis, or Plan B, which requires a professional paper.

Plan A – Thesis Option

Minimum of 30 semester credits of graduate work.
Minimum of 24 semester credits earned at Colorado State, 21 of which must be earned after formal admission to the University.
Thesis (maximum of 6 of the 30 credits).

Plan B – Professional Paper Option

Minimum of 32 semester credits of graduate work.
Minimum of 24 semester credits earned at Colorado State, 21 of which must be earned after formal admission to the University.
Professional Paper (maximum of 6 of the 32 credits). Download an explanation of the Professional Paper.

Curriculum

Because of the flexible and interdisciplinary nature of this program, you can take the core courses and select additional courses to fit your professional goals and interests. Talk with the degree adviser (information listed on the right of this page) about the course selection that works best for you.

Required Courses

NR 440 - Land Use Planning (3 cr.)
RS 500 - Advanced Rangeland Management (3 cr.)
RS 531 - World Grassland Ecogeography (3 cr.)
RS 552 - Range Animal Production and Management (4 cr.)
RS 651 - Primary Production and Decomposition (4 cr.)

Gain additional credentials while earning your Rangeland Ecosystem Science master's degree. Certain coursework electives can also be applied to certificates of completion in:

Students will take at least one of the following two courses based on their choice of Plan A or Plan B:

RS 698 - Research (6 cr.)
RS 699 - Thesis (6 cr.)

Electives (select at least seven credits)

AGRI 632 - Managing for Ecosystem Sustainability (3 cr.)
FW 356 - Leopold's Ethic for Wildlife and Land (3 cr.)
FW 357 - Wildlife Habitat on the Great Plains (3 cr.)
FW 576 - Wildlife Policy, Administration, and Law (3 cr.)
NR 501 - Leadership and Public Communications (3 cr.)
NR 515 - Natural Resources Policy and Biodiversity (3 cr.)
NR 550 - Introduction to Sustainable Military Lands Management (3 cr.)
NR 551 - Cultural Resource Management on Military Lands (3 cr.)
NR 552 - Ecology of Military Lands (3 cr.)
NRRT 505 - Environmental Education History and Theory (3 cr.)
STAT 511 - Design and Data Analysis for Researchers I (4 cr.)
STAT 512 - Design and Data Analysis for Researchers II (4 cr.)
WR 580A1 – Water Resource Development (3 cr.)
WR 580A2 – Water Law Policy for Non-Lawyers (3 cr.)
WR 581A1 – GIS Water Resource Applications (4 cr.)

Questions? Ask us.

We'll be in touch within 2 business days.

- or contact -

Mike Macklin
(970) 491-7583
michael.macklin@colostate.edu

For advising questions:

Larry Rittenhouse, Ph.D.
Forest, Rangeland, and Watershed Management
(970) 217-2859
larryr@cnr.colostate.edu

Degree at a Glance

This program is no longer accepting applications.

Delivery

Required courses are delivered online. Elective courses are delivered via DVD or correspondence. On-campus attendance is not required to complete this program.

Total credits

Plan A – 30 credits
Plan B – 32 credits

Tuition

$319 or $499 per credit
(financial aid available)

Time frame

Can be completed in two years. Program duration may vary based on previous coursework, intensity of study, and course availability. Summer courses are not required.

Designed for

Professionals wanting to advance careers or update skills in natural resource management concepts and procedures; environmental consultants; members of environmental groups, government natural resource management agencies, or non-governmental agencies working in natural resources.

What you will earn

You will earn the same regionally-accredited Colorado State University degree that a student on the Fort Collins campus is awarded. Your diploma and transcript are identical to those awarded to on-campus students.