Undergraduate Degrees

Three Majors are Offered

1. Natural Resources and Rangeland Ecology
2. Animal Science
3. Ranching Systems

An advisor is assigned to each student and will aid in developing their curriculum plans. We also offer the Sustainable Livestock Production Option of the Sustainable Food & Bioenergy Systems degree. We offer three minors, Animal Science, Genetics and Natural Resources & Rangeland Ecology.

Choosing a Major

Take a look at the  "Your Career" page that describes our majors.

Undergraduate Course Descriptions

Our department offers undergraduate courses in the following areas:

• Animal Science  (ANSC)
• Equine Horsemanship  (EQUH)
• Equine Science  (EQUS)
• Natural Resources Science & Management  (NRSM)
• Fish & Wildlife Science & Management  (WILD)

Natural Resources and Rangeland Ecology Major

NRRE is concerned with managing the soil-plant-animal complex on rangelands. Students acquire understanding of grazing and other land uses within the framework of resource management. The curriculum includes course work in basic and applied plant and animal sciences and wildland management.

NRRE prepares students for employment with state and federal management agencies. Other career opportunities include range livestock production, resource consulting and general agriculture.

Degree Options

Rangeland Ecology and Management Option: emphasizes interactions between natural resources and using rangelands for sustainable livestock production. 

• Requirements for Rangeland Ecology and Management

Wildlife Habitat Ecology and Management Option: offers students with an interest in wildlife habitat the opportunity to study a multidisciplinary approach to wildlife, livestock and their habitats. 

• Requirements for Wildlife Habitat Ecology and Management

Natural Resources and Rangeland Ecology Minor

• Natural Resources and Rangeland Ecology Minor (Non-Teaching)

Animal Science Major

The curricula in animal science provide students with a foundation in the biological and natural sciences, animal breeding, reproductive physiology, nutrition, production and management. Applications for the western United States are emphasized, including the close relationships among livestock, rangeland and natural resources. Three options are offered. 

• The Livestock Management & Industry Option: stresses the application of science to livestock production, incorporating courses in agricultural economics and business. 
  • Requirements for the Livestock Management & Industry Option
• The Science Option: emphasizes greater depth in the basic sciences and is designed for students who have a strong interest in graduate training or professional school. Individual curricula can be tailored to provide excellent preparation for veterinary school, medical school or graduate studies.
  • Requirements for the Science Option

• Equine Science Option: emphasizes science and technology to prepare students for employment in the equine industry. Graduates have a firm foundation in reproduction, nutrition, management andallied industries such as sales, feed, tack and equipment.
  • Requirements for Equine Science Option

• Animal Science Minor
  • Animal Science Minor (Non-Teaching)

• Genetics Minor: provides a focused experience in microbial, plant and animal genetics and allows exploration of areas such as bioinformatics.
  • Genetics Minor (Non-Teaching)

Undergraduate Entomology Coursework

MSU does not offer an undergraduate degree in Entomology. Courses, which can be used as electives. are taught in Animal & Range Sciences, Land Resources & Environmental Sciences, and Biology Departments. 

• Offered through the Animal & Range Sciences Department:
  • ANSC 410 Veterinary Entomology
    This course provides an overview of the importance of arthropods and their effects on human and animal health. Topics include classification and identification of insects, mites and ticks, basic biology, ecology, feeding mechanisms, pathogen transmission, vector competency, production impacts, management and prevention.