Department of Ecosystem Science and Management

2013 Agriculture Building
(307) 766-2263
FAX: (307) 766-6403
Website: uwyo.edu/esm
Department Head: Timothy R. Collier

Professors:

JEFFREY L. BECK, B.S. Brigham Young University 1993; M.S. 1996; Ph.D. University of Idaho 2003; Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management 2018, 2007.

THIJS KELLENERS, B.S. Wageningen University, The Netherlands 1988; M.S. 1993; Ph.D. 2001. Professor of Soil Science 2018, 2012.

SCOTT N. MILLER, B.S. Brown University 1991; M.S. University of Arizona 1995; Ph.D. 2002; Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management 2017, 2002.

MELANIE MURPHY, B.S. University of Idaho 1998; M.S. 2001; Ph.D. Washington State University 2008; Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management 2023, 2010.

VIRGINIA B. PAIGE, B.A. Colorado College 1984; M.S. University of Massachusetts 1992; Ph.D. University of Arizona 2000; Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management 2019, 2004.

SCOTT R. SHAW, B.S. Michigan State University 1977; M.S. University of Maryland 1981; Ph.D. 1984; Professor of Entomology 1998, 1989.

Associate Professors:

DAVID CHRISTIANSON, B.S. Montana State University 2003; Ph.D. 2008; Associate Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management 2021, 2019.

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

KRISTINA HUFFORD, B.A. University of California-Berkeley 1993; Ph.D. University of Georgia 2001; Associate Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management 2017, 2010.

FABIAN NIPPGEN, M.S. Albert-Ludwigs University 2007; Ph.D. Montana State University 2014; Associate Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management 2023, 2017.

J. DEREK SCASTA, B.S Texas A&M University 2004; M.S. 2008; Ph.D. Oklahoma State University 2014; Associate Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management 2020, 2014.

LINDA VAN DIEPEN, B.S. Hogeschool IJselland, Deventer 1999; M.S. Wageningen University 2002; Ph.D. Michigan Technological University 2008; Associate Professor of Soil Microbiology 2021, 2015.

KAREN L. VAUGHAN, B.S. University of Delaware-Newark 2001; M.S. University of Maryland-College Park 2004; Ph.D. University of Idaho-Moscow 2008; Associate Professor of Pedology 2021, 2015.

Assistant Professors:

TUCKER FURNISS, B.S. University of Washington 2011; M.S. Utah State University 2016; Ph.D. 2021; Assistant Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management 2023.

Lecturers:

BRIAN SEBADE, B.S. University of Wyoming 2008; M.S. 2010; Assistant Lecturer in Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management 2023.

Academic Professionals:

SCOTT SCHELL, B.S. University of Wyoming 1991; M.S. 1994; Senior Extension Entomologist 2005, Associate Research Scientist 2009.

Adjunct Professors:

Justin Derner, Brenda Schladweiler, Gerald Schuman, Ramesh Sivanpillai, Kevin Wilcox

Professors Emeriti:

Ann Hild, Alexandre Latchininsky, David Legg, Larry Munn, Richard Olson, Katta Reddy, J. Daniel Rodgers, Quentin Skinner, Michael Smith, Peter Stahl, John A. Tanaka, George Vance, James Waggoner, James Wangberg, Thomas Wesche, Stephen Williams

Undergraduate Study

The Department of Ecosystem Science and Management offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management. This degree can also be obtained as an affiliate degree in conjunction with the School of Environment and Natural Resources. Five minor degree programs are offered through the department: Forest Resources, Insect Biology, Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management, Reclamation and Restoration Ecology, and Soil Science. Obtaining a minor to complement a B.S. major degree program provides credentials and knowledge that can expand career opportunities.

The degree programs reflect the department’s diverse expertise in natural resource management and agriculture sciences. Students completing degrees offered through the department are well prepared for careers in natural resource management and sustainable agriculture (e.g., range management, watershed management, restoration ecology/reclamation of degraded land, wildlife habitat management, biocontrol/ integrated pest management, soil science and various types of environmental consulting) or other science careers.

Student Learning Outcomes

The goal of the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management is to provide students with comprehensive knowledge in several different areas in addition to their specific area of study. These expectations ensure that students may take these learned skills and successfully apply them in their post-graduate endeavors. Assessments in all areas are based on knowledge, skills, and attitude.

These areas include:

Oral communication encompasses all the abilities necessary for effective expression and sharing of information, ideas, and feelings in a format including verbal and nonverbal symbols.

Proficiency in written communication will ensure that students will be able to write for different audiences, from expressive writing to technical writing, using a range of sophistication in language.

Professional behavior involves attaining high standards of behavior and appropriate attitudes, not only through acquiring knowledge and experience but a lifelong commitment to learning and achievement.

Competency in critical thinking and problem-solving enables students to engage in reasonable, reflective thinking focused on deciding what to believe or do.

Computer and information literacy ensures that students will be viewed as trainable and adaptable in a computerized work environment. Proficiency in this area also enables students to effectively access online information, and skillfully make use of it.

Knowledge of student skills in these different areas will aid the department in:

Planning instructional strategies to address student strengths and weaknesses;
Evaluating and describing overall student achievement;
Counseling students for academic and career options; and
Evaluating the effectiveness of instructional programs.

Graduate Study

The Department of Ecosystem Science and Management is an interdisciplinary department made up of five disciplines: entomology, rangeland ecology, soil sciences, reclamation/restoration, and watershed management. The department offers master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees in entomology, rangeland ecology and watershed management, and soil science. For the rangeland ecology and watershed management degrees, thesis and dissertation problems may be developed in aspects of range ecology, wildlife habitat, reclamation of disturbed lands, watershed management, utilization and improvement of rangelands, and many other facets of range and forest ecology management. For the entomology degrees, thesis and dissertation problems may be developed in many areas of basic and applied aspects of insect biology and ecology. For soil degrees, thesis and dissertation problems may be developed in many basic and applied aspects of soil science. The degree programs reflect the department’s diverse expertise in natural resource and agriculture sciences. Students completing degrees offered through the department are well prepared for careers in natural resource management and sustainable agriculture (e.g., range management, watershed management, restoration ecology/reclamation of degraded land, wildlife habitat management, biocontrol/integrated pest management, soil science, and various types of environmental consulting) or other science careers. A graduate certificate in reclamation and restoration ecology may be obtained after completion of a B.S. degree or in conjunction with an M.S. or Ph.D. degree. Graduate students may also obtain interdisciplinary degrees in association with ESM faculty advisors: M.S. in Water Resources in combination with a number of other degrees, Ph.D. in Hydrologic Sciences or Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolution.

Program Specific Admission Requirements

Admission is contingent upon a faculty member being willing to assume responsibility for mentoring the student as an advisor.

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

In special circumstances, and with the faculty advisor’s support, a student may be admitted on a provisional basis with continued enrollment dependent upon meeting performance requirements specified at the time of admission.

Program Specific Graduate Assistantship Information

Prospective students are encouraged to directly correspond about future opportunities for graduate assistantships with faculty that share similar research interests.

Graduate courses in the department are offered in entomology, rangeland ecology and watershed management, renewable resources, and soil science.

Environment and Natural Resources Affiliate Degrees

The Bachelor of Science degree in Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management may also be obtained as an affiliate degree with the School of Environment and Natural Resources. In this case, the degree titles would be Environment and Natural Resources/Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management. The additional coursework requirements necessary for obtaining an affiliate degree are described in the School of Environment and Natural Resources section of this publication.

Interdisciplinary Graduate Degrees

Programs

Major

Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management, B.S.

Minor

Graduate

Certificate

Reclamation/Restoration Ecology Graduate Certificate

Courses

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