Ecosystem Science and Management

The Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management graduate program offers a unique opportunity to blend courses and graduate research in rangeland ecology and management, wildland watershed management and hydrology. Wyoming's diverse rangelands include plains, grasslands, mountains, deserts, foothills, and shrublands, all of which provide abundant opportunities for graduate study.

The following are the requirements for admission to our graduate programs. The candidate must:

1. identify a faculty member that agrees to mentor the student as their graduate advisor,

2. have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution,

3. have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, and

4. if English is not the candidate’s native language, earn a minimum TOEFL score of 540, IELTS score of 6.5, or DuoLingo score of 110.

Note, applications may be submitted at any time, and no GRE score is required.

Applicants are encouraged to initiate correspondence with faculty who share similar research interests as the first part of the process of securing a commitment for faculty advising. Submitted applications from prospective students that have not identified a graduate advisor willing to mentor them will not be considered.

In order to apply, submit the following via the University of Wyoming’s online application system (http://www.uwyo.edu/admissions/apply.html): a statement of purpose that describes the applicant’s background, interests in scientific research, and professional objectives; current academic transcripts; proof of English proficiency (if English is not your primary language); and three letters of recommendation (to be submitted directly by references through the online application). Letters should be from current or previous university instructors or professional supervisors.

Please see the Graduate Admissions and Graduate Student Regulations and Policies entries in the front section of the UW Catalog for more information or visit UW’s Graduate Education website at http://www.uwyo.edu/uwgrad/.

Degree Programs

Master's Degree

The M.S. program is geared toward teaching graduate students the tools necessary to conduct robust scientific            research on rangelands and communicate with the public and potential stakeholders. The program requires a research proposal, 30 credit hours (at least 12 from Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management and approved by the student's graduate committee), a research-based written thesis, a final public presentation and successful oral defense of the thesis.

View Program Requirements for Degree HERE

Doctorate Degree

The Ph.D. program allows graduate students to conduct robust research on major questions related to rangeland ecology and watershed management. The program requires a research proposal, 72 credit hours (at least 12 from Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management and approved by the student's graduate committee), both a written- and an oral-examination overseen by the graduate committee, a research-based written dissertation, a final public presentation and successful oral defense of the dissertation. The 72 credit hours may include credits earned during a Master’s degree program that are approved by the student's graduate advisory committee.

View Program Requirements for Degree HERE

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More about Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management

Rangelands are complex ecosystems known for their unpredictable weather, varying topography and wide array of soil types as well as for providing critical wildlife habitat and forage for both domestic and wild herbivores. Rangeland managers must have the education, skills and common sense to integrate information about the climate, topography, soils, plants, animals, watersheds and land use into effective management plans. Scientists conducting research on rangelands must possess the practical and analytical tools in order to generate scientifically rigorous, applied data that can be used to manage rangeland resources.