MS in Natural Resources

University of Arizona

Ecology, Management, and Restoration of Rangelands: The study of the Ecology, Management and Restoration of Rangelands includes all the biological and physical processes of ecosystems - knowledge needed for sustainable use of rangelands as well as management of the diverse and complex systems that they support. Ecology, Management and Restoration of Rangelands: Students may specialize in any of several areas, usually related to ongoing research projects and faculty expertise. These areas of specialization include plant-herbivore interactions, fire ecology, rangeland policy, soil-vegetation interactions, global change, long-term vegetation dynamics, and human dimensions of rangeland management.

Natural Resources Studies: The Natural Resources Studies emphasis is intended to provide an interdisciplinary graduate education for individuals who wish to contribute to natural resource policy and management decisions made in an environment increasingly influenced not only by technical elements, but by economic, legal, political, and social factors. This option is appropriate for students continuing from undergraduate work in natural resource management and for mid-career professionals interested in broadening their expertise in natural resource policy, administration, planning, management, and ecology. Course requirements for the option in Natural Resources Studies are higher than for the other programs. Contact the graduate coordinator for additional information.

Watershed Management and Ecohydrology: The emphasis of the Watershed Program is on interactions between hydrologic processes and land-surface conditions and the application of this knowledge to land-water resource planning and management. The focus of the program is on arid/semiarid regions of the southwestern United States and the world. Research areas include hydrology, hydrologic-vegetative interactions, soil-water processes, erosion and sedimentation, stream dynamics, watershed modeling, hydrologic effects of management, land-use, and climate change. Other research areas include analysis and assessment (including GIS), economics and policy, integrated watershed management, fire effects, and tree ring studies.

Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation and Management: Students may emphasize in Wildlife Conservation and Management or Fisheries Conservation and Management. Graduate studies are designed to provide training in ecological principles, field research techniques, and the application of these tools for the management and conservation of all types of wildlife and fisheries resources. The program responds to the research needs of the State of Arizona, the Southwest region of the United States, the United States, and international governments and organizations. The Arizona Game and Fish Department, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Forest Service frequently assist in the development and support of research projects. Within the School, the U.S. Geological Survey also maintains the Arizona Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and the Sonoran Desert Field Station. Graduate degrees qualify students for professional careers with state agencies, such as state game and fish departments; federal agencies, such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Bureau of Land Management; colleges and universities; conservation organizations; private industry; and consulting firms.