Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Rangeland - Ungulate Animal Relations (Face-to-Face)

RANG 4000-01

Course: RANG 4000-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: ASNS
CRN: 10057

Instructor Information

Instructor: Nathan Dulfon, MS Rangeland Science
Office: GC 203B
Office hours: Monday, Wednesday - 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Tuesday - 1:00 -2:00 PM
Wednesday, Friday - 8:00 - 9:00 AM
Or by appointment
Phone: (435)-586-1923
Email: nathandulfon@suu.edu

Course Description

Characterization of domestic and wild animal use of rangelands as related to environmental factors, foraging behavior, and nutrition needs emphasizing the interaction of rangeland and animal resources to optimize nutrient intake.

Required Texts

The Ecology of Browsing and Grazing
Gordan and Prins
ISBN 978-3-540-72421-6

Supplementary text:
Range Management: Practices and Principals
Holecheck, Pieper, Herbel
ISBN-13: 978-0-13-501416-5

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion students will be able to:

  • Define terms related to ungulate animals and their relations with rangelands
  • Understand fundamental principles, generalizations, and theories of ungulate animal relations with rangelands
  • Determine the nutritional needs of ungulate animals and rangeland vegetation forage production
  • Understand animal morphology and how it influences plant morphology
  • Identify range plants that provide the most nutritional value on rangelands
  • Identify plants that are poisonous to livestock
  • Understand and describe animal behavior in relation to grazing
  • Prescribe a management plan that will meet animal needs and increase rangeland health simultaneously

Course Requirements

Prerequisite(s): RANG 3600
Prerequisite Min. Grade: C
Registration Restriction(s): None

Grading

Students will earn points for assignments, projects, and exams.
A letter grade will be assigned according to the following grading scale:

Grade          Percent Range
A                 100% to 94%
A-                < 94% to 90%
B+               < 90% to 87%
B                 < 87% to 84%
B-                < 84% to 80%
C+               < 80% to 77%
C                 < 77% to 74%
C-                < 74% to 70%
D+               < 70% to 67%
D                 < 67% to 64%
D-                < 64% to 61%
F                 < 61% to 0%


Semester Point Breakdown
Unannounced quizzes and Chapter Quizzes - 250 pts
Activities - 250 pts
Project 1 - Grazing Plan - 200 pts
Project 2 - Game Show Final Review - 100 pts
Exam 1 - Midterm Exam - 100 pts
Exam 2 - Final Exam - 100 pts
TOTAL 1000 pts

*Semester point breakdown and course outline may be subject to change*

Attendance Policy

The professor expects students to arrive to class on time and be prepared to participate in class discussion.
Attendance is very important and students are responsible for making arrangements to get class material when missing class.
Students are responsible for transportation to activities within close proximity to SUU campus/SUU Valley Farm/SUU Mountain Center.
Cell phones are to be shut off or silenced during class.
No dogs in class unless it is a certified service dog.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Assignments are to be handed in on the established due date.
Late work will be accepted with a 30% deduction of points.
One quiz score will be dropped if missed.

Course Outline

Date         Topic and reading assignment

W 1/7        Syllabus and Course Expectations - Commenced Attendance Quiz & Student Demographic Information Form
F 1/9         Chapter 1 - Introduction: Grazers and Browsers in a Changing World

M 1/11       Chapter 1 - Introduction: Grazers and Browsers in a Changing World
W 1/14      Chapter 2 - An Evolutionary History of Browsing and Grazing Ungulates
F 1/16       Chapter 2 - An Evolutionary History of Browsing and Grazing Ungulates

M 1/19       Martin Luther King Day - No Classes
W 1/21       Chapter 2 - An Evolutionary History of Browsing and Grazing Ungulates
F 1/23        Chapter 3 - The Morphophysiological Adaptations of Browsing and Grazing Mammals

M 1/26       Chapter 3 - The Morphophysiological Adaptations of Browsing and Grazing Mammals
W 1/28       Chapter 3 - The Morphophysiological Adaptations of Browsing and Grazing Mammals
F 1/30        Chapter 4 - Nutritional Ecology of Grazing and Browsing Ruminants

M 2/2         Chapter 4 - Nutritional Ecology of Grazing and Browsing Ruminants
W 2/4        Chapter 4 - Nutritional Ecology of Grazing and Browsing Ruminants
F 2/6         Chapter 4 - Nutritional Ecology of Grazing and Browsing Ruminants

M 2/9        Chapter 5 - The Comparative Feeding Behavior of Large Browsing and Grazing Herbivores
W 2/11      Chapter 5 - The Comparative Feeding Behavior of Large Browsing and Grazing Herbivores
F 2/13       Chapter 5 - The Comparative Feeding Behavior of Large Browsing and Grazing Herbivores

M 2/16       President's Day - No Classes
W 2/18      Chapter 5 - The Comparative Feeding Behavior of Large Browsing and Grazing Herbivores
F 2/20        Mid term exam - Available on canvas all day - No Classes

M 2/23      Chapter 6 - The Comparative Population Dynamics of Browsing and Grazing Ungulates
W 2/25      Chapter 6 - The Comparative Population Dynamics of Browsing and Grazing Ungulates
F 2/27       Chapter 6 - The Comparative Population Dynamics of Browsing and Grazing Ungulates

M 3/2         Chapter 7 - Species Diversity of Browsing and Grazing Ungulates: Consequences for the Structure and Abundance of Secondary Production
W 3/4         Chapter 7 - Species Diversity of Browsing and Grazing Ungulates: Consequences for the Structure and Abundance of Secondary Production
F 3/6         Chapter 7 - Species Diversity of Browsing and Grazing Ungulates: Consequences for the Structure and Abundance of Secondary Production

M 3/9        Spring Break - No Classes
W 3/11      Spring Break - No Classes
F 3/12       Spring Break - No Classes

M 3/16       Chapter 8 - Impacts of Grazing and Browsing by Large Herbivores on Soils and Soil Biological Properties
W 3/18       Chapter 8 - Impacts of Grazing and Browsing by Large Herbivores on Soils and Soil Biological Properties
F 3/20        Chapter 8 - Impacts of Grazing and Browsing by Large Herbivores on Soils and Soil Biological Properties

M 3/23       Chapter 9 - Plant Traits, Browsing and Grazing Herbivores, and Vegetation Dynamics
W 3/25       Chapter 9 - Plant Traits, Browsing and Grazing Herbivores, and Vegetation Dynamics
F 3/27        Chapter 9 - Plant Traits, Browsing and Grazing Herbivores, and Vegetation Dynamics

M 3/30        Chapter 10 - The Impact of Browsing and Grazing Herbivores on Biodiversity
W 4/1         Chapter 10 - The Impact of Browsing and Grazing Herbivores on Biodiversity
F 4/3          Chapter 10 - The Impact of Browsing and Grazing Herbivores on Biodiversity

M 4/6          Chapter 11 - Managing Large Herbivores in Theory and Practice: Is the Game the Same for Browsing and Grazing Species?
W 4/8          Chapter 11 - Managing Large Herbivores in Theory and Practice: Is the Game the Same for Browsing and Grazing Species?
F 4/10         Chapter 11 - Managing Large Herbivores in Theory and Practice: Is the Game the Same for Browsing and Grazing Species?

M 4/13        Chapter 12 - Grazers and Browsers in a Changing World: Conclusions
W 4/15        Chapter 12 - Grazers and Browsers in a Changing World: Conclusions
F 4/17         Chapter 12 - Grazers and Browsers in a Changing World: Conclusions

M 4/20        Game Show Final Exam Review
W 4/22        Final Exam - Available all day on canvas

*Semester point breakdown and course outline may be subject to change*

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.