College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences

Office: Everett. E. Turner Range Animal Science 111 & Warnock Science Building 316
Phone: (432) 837-8001
E-mail: ALPS@sulross.edu
Dean: Dr. Bonnie J. Warnock

The College of Agriculture, Life, and Physical Sciences serves students that will be the next leaders in the diverse and dynamic STEM fields. College academic units include: the Department of Agriculture and Industry, the Department of Computer, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences, and the Department of Natural Sciences, and the newly established School of Health Sciences which houses the Department of Kinesiology, the Department of Health Studies, and the Department of Nursing. The Borderlands Research Institute and Rio Grande Research Center and Rodeo program provide opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate outside of the formal classroom.

Students in ALPS are interested in pursuing careers in Agriculture including agricultural business, agricultural education, and the ranching industry; Animal Science including the production and care of domestic livestock and horses, the science and safety of meat and food production, and veterinary medicine; Industrial Technology including manufacturing, construction, and supply chain management; Computer Science including the fields of devices, cybersecurity, gaming and digital art; Mathematics including general math applications and teacher certification; Chemistry including inorganic, organic, biochemistry, and analytical chemistry fields; Biology including field and lab biological sciences, and science teacher certification; Geology including field geology, hydrology, and GIS; Natural Resource Management including management and conservation of rangelands and wildlife; Kinesiology including athletic training, sports and sport administration, recreation, teacher certification, and physical therapy, Health Science including pre-health disciplines leading to positions in professional fields of medicine and Health Administration and Nursing.

Our faculty stress a hands-on approach to learning with emphasis given to building a solid background in the fundamental principles and specialized experience in the student’s specific field of study. We pride ourselves in offering excellent facilities and learning opportunities in a student-oriented, learner-centered environment.

Our students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, collections, and field opportunities.

The Turner Range Animal Science complex with associated ranch, feedlot, horse barn, S.A.L.E. covered arena, outdoor arena, and stalls is located within 1.5 miles of main campus.

The Warnock Science Building with the A. Michael Powell Herbarium, James Scudday Vertebrate Collection, Jim V. Richardson Invertebrate Collection, Analytical Lab, and adjacent greenhouses and native plant gardens tied into the ZuZu Verk Outdoor Amphitheatre.

Computer resources include two state of the art computer science labs, motion capture lab, GIS lab, and RAS technical lab.

The Sierra Blanca Ranch, a Sul Ross State University Research and Teaching Field Site, is located in Hudspeth County between Van Horn and Sierra Blanca along Interstate 10. This 14,700-acre working ranch provides hands-on teaching and research opportunities for students in the Departments of Animal Science and Natural Resource Management. It also helps support the Bar SR Bar cattle herd and the Rodeo Livestock.

The Sul Ross Meat Market located at the Turner Range Animal Science Complex, is a state inspected facility that processes and sells beef, pork, lamb, and goat. The facility offers students the hands-on opportunity to learn the entire process of meat processing from harvest to sales. The retail counter is open to the public and offers both grain and grass-fed meats.

Students can earn degrees within the four academic departments as follows:

Bachelor of Science

Agriculture with concentrations in:
- Agricultural Business
- Agricultural Education
- Agriculture Systems
- Sustainable Ranch Management
Animal Science with concentrations in:
- Pre-Veterinary Medicine
- Production
- Science
- Students focusing in either Production or Science can further specialize by selecting classes in general livestock, equine, or meat science
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science with concentrations in:
- Traditional Computer Science
- Gaming Technology
- Cybersecurity
Geology
Industrial Technology with concentrations in:
- Manufacturing
- Construction Management
- Supply Chain Management
Mathematics with concentrations in
- Mathematics
- Math Teacher Certification
- Pre-Engineering
Natural Resource Management with concentrations in:
- Conservation Biology
- Range and Wildlife Management
Nursing with two tracks
- Pre-licensure BSN
- RN to BSN

Master of Agriculture

Animal Science (online)
Natural Resource Conservation (online)

Master of Science

Animal Science (thesis)
Biology (thesis)
Biology (non-thesis)
Geology (thesis)
Geology (non-thesis)
Range and Wildlife Management (thesis)
Range and Wildlife Management (non-thesis)
Sports Administration

In addition to the academic departments, the College also is the home of the award winning SRSU Rodeo team, with the distinction of being the 1949 birthplace of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. The Sul Ross rodeo team has earned nine national team championships (seven men’s and two women’s).

The Borderlands Research Institute for Natural Resource Management which was founded in 2007 to help further the research mission at Sul Ross Stare University is also housed in the College and works closely with the Department of Natural Resource Management. BRI focuses on research to obtain practical information to benefit land owners and managers with outreach and educational activities to get that information to land managers. BRI grants support research projects for multiple graduate students and undergraduate students, providing funding and opportunities for current and relevant scientific research and experience with outreach and education.

The Rio Grande Research Center creates a structured, science-based, basin-wide perspective for the sustainable use of water resources within the bi-national Rio Grande watershed. This is accomplished through scientific research, educational initiatives, and outreach activities centered on gaining and sharing knowledge about the watershed’s biological and physical environment.