Department of Renewable Resources

2013 Agriculture Building, 766-2263
FAX: (307) 766-6403
Website: http://uwyo.edu/renewableresources
 

Professors:
ANN L. HILD, B.A. University of Iowa 1975; M.S. Texas Tech University 1991; Ph.D. 1995; Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management 2008, 1996.

DAVID E. LEGG, B.S. University of Missouri 1978; M.S. 1980; Ph.D. University of Minnesota 1983; Professor of Entomology 2003, 1988.
LARRY C. MUNN, B.S. Ohio State University 1972; M.S. 1974; Ph.D. Montana State University 1977; Professor of Soil Science 1992, 1981.
RICHARD A. OLSON, B.S. University of Wisconsin (River Falls) 1970; M.S. South Dakota State University 1975; Ph.D. North Dakota State University 1979; Professor of Wildlife Habitat Ecology and Management 2000, 1989.
KATTA J. REDDY, B.S. A.P. Agricultural University (India) 1978; M.S. 1980; Ph.D. Colorado State University 1986; Professor of Water Quality 2006, 2000.
SCOTT R. SHAW, B.S. Michigan State University 1977; M.S. University of Maryland 1981; Ph.D. 1984; Professor of Entomology 1998, 1989.
MICHAEL A. SMITH, B.S. Texas Tech University 1967; M.S. 1972; Ph.D. Utah State University 1977; Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management 1992, 1978.
THOMAS L. THUROW, B.S. University of Idaho 1977; M.S. Brigham Young University 1979; Ph.D. Texas A&M University 1985; Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management 1999.
GEORGE F. VANCE, B.S. Michigan State University 1981; M.S. 1985; Ph.D. University of Illinois 1989; Professor of Soil and Environmental Chemistry 1998, 1989.
JAMES K. WANGBERG, B.A. Humboldt State College 1969; M.A. California State University-Humboldt 1973; Ph.D. University of Idaho 1976; Professor of Entomology 1986; Associate Dean 1999.
STEPHEN E. WILLIAMS, B.S. New Mexico State University 1970; M.S. 1972; Ph.D. North Carolina State University 1977; Professor of Soil Biology and Biochemistry 1987, 1976.

Associate Professors:
TIMOTHY R. COLLIER, B.S. University of California—Riverside 1987; Ph.D. University of California—Santa Barbara 1994; Associate Professor of Entomology 2008, 2002.

ALEXANDRE V. LATCHININSKY, B.S. St. Petersburg State University (Russia) 1979; M.S. 1980; Ph.D. University of Wyoming 2001; Associate Professor of Entomology 2008, 2003.

SCOTT N. MILLER, B.S. Brown University 1991; M.S. University of Arizona 1995; Ph.D. 2002; Associate Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management 2008, 2002.

J. DANIEL RODGERS, B.S. East Texas State University 1963; M.S. Texas Tech University 1966; Ph.D. Utah State University 1980; Associate Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management 1980.
PETER D. STAHL, B.S. Oklahoma State University 1978; M.S. University of Wyoming 1982; Ph.D. 1989; Assistant Professor of Restoration Ecology 2000.

JAMES W. WAGGONER, JR., B.S. New Mexico State University 1970; M.S. 1972; Ph.D. University of Illinois 1975; Associate Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management 1994.
DAVID G. WILLIAMS, B.A. University of Texas 1985; M.S. Texas A&M University 1988; Ph.D. Washington State University 1992; Associate Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management 2002.

Assistant Professors:
JEFFREY L. BECK, B.S. Brigham Young University 1993; M.S. 1996; Ph.D. University of Idaho 2003; Assistant Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management 2007.

THIJS KELLENERS, B.S. Wageningen University, The Netherlands 1988; M.S. 1993; Ph.D. 2001.
JAY B. NORTON, B.S. University of Montana 1985; M.S. Iowas State University 1996; Ph.D. University of Montana 2000; Assistant Professor of Soil Science 2006.
VIRGINIA B. PAIGE, B.A. Colorado College 1984; M.S. University of Massachusetts 1992; Ph.D. University of Arizona 2000; Assistant Professor Rangeland Ecology and Watershed management 2004.

Academic Professional:
RACHEL D. MEALOR, B.S. University of Wyoming 2004; M.S. 2007; Assistant University Extension Coordinator 2007.

SCOTT SCHELL, B.S. University of Wyoming 1991; M.S. 1994; Assistant Extension Entomologist 2005.

SHIKHA SHARMA, M.S. University of Lucknow, India 1993; Ph.D. 1998; Assistant Research Scientist 2006.

Adjunct Professors:
Justin Derner, Brian A. Mealor, Jack Morgan, Ursula Norton, Ed Schmidtmann, Gerald Schuman, Nancy Shaw, Ramesh Sivanpillai, Jeffrey Smith

Professors Emeriti:
Robert Heil, Robert Lavigne, William Laycock, Robert Pfadt, Quentin Skinner, Thomas Wesche

The primary goal of the Forest Resources minor degree program is to develop a working knowledge of the processes that influence provision of the key products derived from forest lands. Courses taken in fulfillment of a major degree program will also be able to be applied to a minor degree program.

	Hours
Minimum Requirements RNEW 2100, SOIL 4150, RNEW 4775, and REWM 4540. Choose one from REWM 3100, REWM 4285, or REWM 4700, or GEOG 4420; choose one from GEOG 2550 or REWM 4103, choose one from REWM 2000, ZOO 2450, RNEW 3000 or GEOG 4470.	20

Minor in Reclamation and Restoration Ecology

This program covers the use of basic and applied ecological concepts to rehabilitate and restore processes and functions to disturbed ecosystems.

See the Graduate School Bulletin for details on the Reclamation and Restoration Ecology graduate certificate program.

Renewable Resources (RNEW) Courses

Environment and Natural Resources Affiliate Degrees

Entomology Minors Programs

Minor in Insect Biology
This minor is intended for students who have an interest in insects as organisms, including their basic biology, ecology and evolution. As insects dominate biological diversity, they are essential to most ecological systems, and have unique physiological systems. Students majoring in zoology, botany, molecular biology, biology or similar fields will find the study of these organisms a rewarding and valuable (if not essential) element of the life sciences.

In terms of biological diversity, at least 75 percent of all species are insects, with over 800,000 known species and another 10-50 million yet to be described. Insects are increasingly used as bioindicators of environmental health. Many industries now recognize that insects may be the world’s richest, untapped natural resource, with billions of dollars of unexploited goods and services. Accessing these resources requires trained entomologists. Such training demands an academic setting, such as the University of Wyoming, where collections are maintained, productive faculty are involved in quality research and teaching, the latest methodologies are available and taught, the necessary scientific literature is readily accessible and a curriculum allows the student to pursue this field.

Minor in Agricultural Entomology

This minor is intended for students who have an interest in insects as beneficial and pestiferous agents in agricultural and health settings, with an emphasis on the applied ecology and management of these organisms. As insect damage (e.g., plant feeding, disease transmission, etc.) and services (e.g., biological control, pollination, etc.) are each valued at billions of dollars per year, students majoring in agroecology, animal science, rangeland ecology and watershed management or similar fields will find the study of these organisms a rewarding and valuable (if not essential) element of their education.

Insect Biology/Entomology Graduate Study

The department offers graduate work leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in entomology and an affiliated graduate option in water resources. Department faculty have active programs in insect ecology (biological control, population biology and plant-insect interactions), systematics (taxonomy, phylogeny and evolution) and pest management (biological control, biometrics and sampling, and pest management on humans, livestock, crops and rangeland). See the Graduate Bulletin for more details.

Entomology (ENTO) Courses

Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management Major

Rangeland occupies 47% of the Earth’s land area. The 50 million acres of rangeland in Wyoming provide diverse opportunities for the multiple uses of livestock and wildlife grazing, recreation, water production and natural beauty. Students are taught to understand and manage complex rangeland ecosystems.

The rangeland ecology and watershed management curriculum is designed for students choosing to study ecology, utilization and management of rangelands and wildland watersheds and related resources of forestry, recreation, wildlife management, soil science, botany and zoology. Degrees include Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy.

The undergraduate course of study helps students become well prepared for careers in natural resource management (e.g., range management, watershed management, restoration ecology/reclamation of degraded land, wildlife habitat management, ranch management, various types of environmental consulting), or other natural science careers. The curriculum fully meets the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) requirements for Range Conservationist. By appropriate course selection within the elective hours, students will also meet OPM requirements for additional professional work, such as soil conservationist or hydrologist.

Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management Graduate Study

Areas of graduate study leading to a M.S. or Ph.D. in rangeland ecology and watershed management include range ecology, animal nutrition, watershed management, wildlife habitat management, restoration ecology and reclamation of disturbed lands. A graduate certificate in reclamation and restoration ecology and a graduate option in water resources are offered in affiliation with the rangeland ecology and watershed management graduate degree. See Graduate Bulletin for more detailed information.

Course Requirements for a Major in Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management (B.S.)

Concentrations

Rangeland ecology and watershed management are inherently broad fields and are becoming more diverse. Eight informal disciplinary concentrations are offered to expand educational experiences and enhance career opportunities. All require completion of basic core curriculum and additional course selections to fill unrestricted elective hours.

Rangeland Livestock Management. Management and production of domestic livestock on rangelands.

Rangeland Habitat Management. Manipulation of habitat of range animals, especially wildlife, for production, damage control, increased benefits of grazing impacts or increased recreational use.

Rangeland Ecology. The inherently multidisciplinary nature of range science, including interactions of natural vegetation, domestic livestock, wildlife, soils and management.

Natural Resources. Broad background in all aspects of natural resource management as required by federal and state management agencies.

Rangeland Improvements. Principles and practices to enhance rangeland values and uses through applied manipulations of both biotic and abiotic components of rangelands.

Rangeland Reclamation. Reclamation of drastically disturbed rangelands, including remediation of rangeland ecosystems impacted by such activities as surface mining, oil/gas development and others.

Wildland Watershed Management and Range Hydrology. These two options provide a broad ecological basis for managing water resources, preparing students for participating in multidisciplinary decision-making processes affiliated with managing wildland watersheds.

Rangeland Business Management. The business of range animal management and production or recreational use of rangeland.

In addition, the department offers an approved ENR concentration in the School of Environment and Natural Resources.

Minor
A minor in rangeland ecology and watershed management is available for students in other majors interested in increasing their knowledge of the field. The number of hours required is 22. The required courses for the minor are: LIFE 1010 (4 hrs) and 3400 (3); and REWM 2000 (3), 2500 (2), 4330 (3), 4530 (1) and 6 hrs. selected from other REWM upper-division (3000 or 4000 level) courses.

Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management (REWM) Courses

Earth System Science with a Concentration in Soil Science

The new Earth’s Systems Science (ESS) undergraduate program integrates several disciplines across the UW campus, providing greater opportunities for students to learn about the importance of different components of the Earth. Soil Science is an integrating subject that unifies interactions among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere. An ESS degree with a concentration in Soil Science enhances educational opportunities for students by offering unique learning experiences because of UW’s location, resources and faculty.

Suggested Course Program

Minor in Soil Science

This program is designed to enhance soil expertise for students majoring in agricultural and natural resource degree programs. Undergraduate students minoring in Soil Science will enhance their job prospects with federal land management or conservation agencies (e.g., Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Natural Resources Conservation Society), state and federal regulatory agencies (e.g., Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality), mining and oil companies, environmental consulting companies, or scientific research organizations.

Course requirements (15 credit hours) for a Soil Science minor are: SOIL 2010, plus 11 credits of upper-division soil science courses for a total of 15 credits.

Soil Science Graduate Study

The department offers graduate work leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in soil science, an affiliated graduate certificate in reclamation and restoration ecology and an affiliated graduate option in water resources. Our faculty have active programs in soil-plant fertility and nutrition, soil morphology, genesis and classification, soil and water quality, environmental soil microbiology, soil and environmental chemistry, and soil and water physics. See the Graduate Bulletin for more details.

Soil Science (SOIL) Courses

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Last Change: 02/26/09