Master of Science In Range Science New Mexico State University

The Department of Animal and Range Sciences offers graduate work in range science leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Specific areas of study include range ecology, animal and plant nutrition, plant taxonomy, range improvements, disturbed land reclamation, range animal behavior, range animal interactions, range physiology, grazing management, brush and weed control, ecophysiology, and watershed management.

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Ph.D. in Range Science

The Department of Animal and Range Sciences also offers Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Range Science.

Graduate Requirements

Graduate Program with the Thesis (Research) Option

• Coursework
  • A minimum of 30 credits of graduate work is required to graduate.
  • At least 15 credits must be in courses numbered 500 or above.
  • At least 15 credits must be from the Range Science program.
  • Not more than 6 nor fewer than 4 thesis credits (RgSc 599) may be counted toward the requirements for a master’s degree.
  • Two semesters of RgSc 515 (Seminar) are required. One may be taken from another department with the permission of the student’s graduate committee.
  • At least one advanced statistics course or equivalent is required, as determined by the student’s graduate committee.
• Thesis
  • The thesis research project must be approved by the student’s graduate committee.
  • Every effort should be made to publish the thesis as a scientific journal article or Experiment Station publication.

Graduate Program with the Non-Thesis Option

• Coursework
  • A minimum of 32 credits of graduate work is required to graduate.
  • At least 15 credits must be in courses numbered 500 or above.
  • At least 15 credits must be from the Range Science program.
  • RgSc 599 (Thesis) may not be taken.
  • Two credits of RgSc 598 (subtitled Non-Thesis Report) are required for the written report.
  • Two semesters of RgSc 515 (Seminar) are required. One may be taken from another department with permission of student’s graduate committee.
• Written Report
  • The report will be on a topic approved by the student’s graduate committee.
  • Research for the report may involve fieldwork and data gathering, but should also be strongly library- and literature-based.
  • The report should be of graduate quality and content, and should follow graduate school thesis format or the format of an acceptable scholarly journal. Final approval and acceptance of the report will be by the student’s graduate committee.
  • Every effort should be made to publish the report in an appropriate outlet (journal article, Experiment Station bulletin or report, Extension bulletin, etc.)
  • Copies of the report will be bound and placed in the university and departmental libraries.

Graduate Committee

• The graduate committee is selected by the student and the student’s advisor, with the approval of the Department Head and the Graduate Dean. The committee will consist of four or more members, as follows:
  • The committee chair (advisor) and at least one other member must be from the Range Science regular faculty.
  • At least one member must be from another department and may serve as the dean’s representative.

Outline of Required Events to Complete the M.S. Degree

• Enroll for the first semester.
• Meet with the graduate committee no later than the second semester to outline planned coursework and to discuss planned research for thesis or non-thesis topic.
• File the “Application for Admission to Candidacy” (a program of study) no later than after the completion of 12 credits of graduate work.
• Complete coursework.
• Complete research and prepare a thesis or written report.
• File form for taking final oral exam with Graduate School at least 10 working days before the exam.
• At least seven working days before the final exam, deliver a copy of the thesis or written report to each committee member.
• Take final oral examination in defense of thesis or written report and course work.
• For the thesis option:
  • Deliver a final copy of the thesis to the graduate editor at least 10 working days before graduation.
  • Take 3 approved copies signed by the adviser to the Graduate Dean for his/her signature.
  • Take these 3 copies with abstracts of not more than 350 words and a receipt for all fees to the librarian.
• For the non-thesis option:
  • Deliver 3 final copies of the approved written report to the graduate committee chair (advisor) prior to graduation.
  • Pay an applicable binding fee to the department.

Jobs and Internships

Jobs

• UConn Jobs
• U.S. Government Jobs
• NILE Scholarship Opportunity

Internships

• American Angus Association
• USDA internships
• CQ University Australia
• Talon Internship