< Back to Department

Minimum Requirements for High Latitude Range Management Certificate: 31 credits

Students must earn a C- or better in each course.

< Back to Department

Learning Outcomes are measurable statements that describe knowledge or skills achieved by students upon completion of the program.

Students graduating from this program will be able to:

• Be prepared for entry-level employment in the field of natural resources that contributes to an educated Alaskan workforce.
• Be prepared for advanced university coursework in an associate or baccalaureate program or other science coursework.
• Gain a broad understanding and perspective on range management principles for high latitude systems. Students will demonstrate mastery in basic range management terminology, ruminant taxonomy and evolution, tundra and arctic ecosystems, physical characteristics of high latitude range on the Seward Peninsula, identify and classify Alaskan forage plants by family and species, explain forage plant digestibility, explain the similarities and differences between various range production systems in Alaska (caribou, moose, reindeer).
• Be knowledgeable in the science and regulation along with acquiring technical skills in slaughtering and cutting of Alaskan red meat. Students will demonstrate mastery in meat science terminology, the physiology and biochemistry of muscle as a food, factors affecting meat quality in high latitude regions, state and federal slaughterhouse regulations factors that influence meat quality, discriminate between cuts and quality of meat during butchering, proper meat handling, wrapping, storing and various preparation technique.
• Be knowledgeable and develop technical skills in health issues related to domesticated ungulates, both farmed and free-ranging, in Alaska. Identify features of ungulate anatomy and physiology. Differentiate between the transmission, diagnosis and control of diseases and parasites common to or potentially problematic to Alaskan livestock. Differentiate between the transmission, diagnosis and control of diseases and parasites common to or potentially problematic to Alaskan ungulates. To be knowledgeable in the benefits of preventative medicine for domesticate livestock. Recognize signs and symptoms of common injuries and/or diseases. Identify indicators of disease or parasitic infections. To be knowledgeable in the body response to bacteria, viruses and vaccinations. To have the knowledge of dosage, timing of administration, and the technical skills to vaccinate, treat meat animals. To have the knowledge to assist and interpret results from afield necropsy. To know the state of Alaska and federal disease certification and animal monitoring programs and the impact on the Alaskan livestock industry.
• Use critical thinking to understand environmental problems and discoveries. Design a research project based on demonstrated development of a range management plan. Understand the concepts of field and laboratory techniques for range management. Conduct multiple range sampling methods. Collect data for development of a range management plan. Operate scientific equipment in field conditions. Use laboratory equipment for analysis of forage samples. Collect and interpret quantitative data. Demonstrate field safety procedures.