نظرة عامة على البرنامج

Major in Restoration Ecology

The Major in Restoration Ecology emphasizes interdisciplinary study, research, and restoration of damaged, degraded, or destroyed rangelands and forested ecosystems of the world. This major focuses on the restoration of rangelands and forests for multiple uses, including consumptive and non-consumptive activities such as recreation, preservation of wildlife habitat, providing for aesthetic beauty, livestock grazing, and timber production.

Overview

Forests and rangelands occupy the vast majority of the earth’s land surface, and Colorado is an ideal setting for the study of restoration ecology with many different types of rangeland and forest ecosystems in close proximity.

Program Description

Students in this program will gain the important knowledge and skills necessary to restore damaged ecosystems. They will learn how to manipulate soil, water, vegetation, and animal resources in order to implement successful restoration for local, state, and federal land management agencies as well as for a variety of private entities, landowners, and non-governmental agencies.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

1. Accurately and effectively communicate their understanding of restoration ecology both verbally and in written form.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which the ecological structure and functioning of natural resource systems are damaged, degraded, or destroyed by disturbances.
3. Apply qualitative and quantitative measurement and analytical techniques to identify and evaluate objectives and metrics for restoration programs.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in working with diverse, multi-disciplinary, and multi-stakeholder teams to develop and communicate goals, objectives, and prescriptions for overcoming limitations to restoration.
5. Demonstrate learning of subject areas outside their major study focus, including principles/issues in wildlife, water, recreation, wilderness, soil, rangeland, and fishery resources; students will also demonstrate knowledge of social science analytic techniques.
6. Develop vegetation/habitat management and restoration techniques and methods based on scientific insights that can be used to craft solutions responsive to unique challenges.
7. Be able to work together as a team to solve natural resource problems, taking into account ecological, social, government policy, and economic contexts, and the use of inquiry, analytical, integrative/synthetic, and communication skills.

Curriculum

The program requires a total of 120 credits, with the following courses:

• Freshman:
  • BZ 120: Principles of Plant Biology (GT-SC1)
  • CHEM 107: Fundamentals of Chemistry (GT-SC2)
  • CHEM 108: Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory (GT-SC1)
  • CO 150: College Composition (GT-CO2)
  • F 101: Intro to Forest and Rangeland Stewardship
  • NR 193: FRS First Semester Seminar
  • Select 3 credits from the following: MATH 117, MATH 118, MATH 125, MATH 141
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Historical Perspectives
• Sophomore:
  • BZ 223: Plant Identification
  • F 209: Introduction to Forest and Rangeland Ecology
  • RS 300: Rangeland Conservation and Stewardship
  • SOCR 240: Introductory Soil Science
  • SPCM 200: Public Speaking
  • Select one course from the following: FW 104, NR 300
  • Select one course from the following: STAT 301, STAT 307
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Electives
• Summer:
  • NR 220: Natural Resource Ecology and Measurements
• Junior:
  • BSPM 308: Ecology and Management of Weeds
  • F 311: Forest Ecology
  • GR 204/WR 204: Sustainable Watersheds (GT-SC2)
  • NR 319: Introduction to Geospatial Science
  • NR 320: Natural Resources History and Policy
  • RS 313/F 313: Dendrology and Herbaceous Plant ID
  • RS 378: Disturbance Ecology
  • Select one course from the following: BZ 440, HORT 260, HORT 321
  • Select one course from the following: CO 300, CO 301B, JTC 300
  • Elective
• Senior:
  • NR 477: Restoration Case Studies Field Tour
  • NR 479: Restoration Case Studies
  • RS 432: Rangeland Measurements and Monitoring
  • RS 478: Ecological Restoration
  • Select one course from the following: SOCR 341, SOCR 350, SOCR 440, SOCR 442, SOCR 455, SOCR 456, SOCR 467, SOCR 470, SOCR 471
  • Select one course from the following: BZ 450, BZ 471
  • Select one course from the following: F 324, F 325, F 326, F 425
  • Electives

Career Opportunities

Examples of career opportunities include, but are not limited to:

• Restoration ecologist
• Soil conservationist
• Plant ecologist
• Riparian ecologist
• Researcher
• Commercial sales and service representative
• Consultants
• Mine reclamation specialist

Program Total Credits

The program requires a total of 120 credits, with at least 42 credits being upper-division (300- to 400-level). Students must select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits.