Bachelor of Science, Major in Biological Sciences with Emphasis in Conservation Biology and Ecology

at Montana State University - Bozeman USA

Students in the Chemical Engineering major are constantly engaged in hands-on lab opportunities to explore the mechanics of chemical synthesis that are at the core of their profession. Whether it’s studying biofilms with a professor at the top of their field or earning a spot alongside students from across the country in the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) summer program, Chemical Engineering students are afforded a variety of opportunities to develop skills that will serve them in positions in chemical manufacturing and petroleum refining, pharmaceutical manufacturing and delivery, environmental engineering and more.

At Montana State, students in the Snow Science track have one of the best laboratories in the nation in which to study: the Rocky Mountains. Alongside some of the most preeminent scientists in the field, students gain a foundational understanding of the distribution, mechanics and composition of snow before further defining their study before graduation. Snow scientists find careers in snow safety and consulting in land use planning, transportation and avalanche protection, as well as post-graduate study to further prepare for positions in the field.

In the Sustainable Food Systems program at Montana State, students focus on the interconnected relationships between production, food policy, food security and health in order to make informed decisions and solutions to complex problems in the food industry. Sustainable Food Systems students develop important skills through hands-on experience in service-based learning internships, organic farming, culinary fundamentals and management, training on research methods and carrying out research projects in surrounding communities.

Students in the Environmental Sciences program at Montana State are exposed to a broader, more general view of the environmental sciences, whether in preparation to transfer into a more specialized major option or simply to get a broader understanding of land and natural resource systems. Students receive training in applied ecology, soil and water science and land resources analysis, as well as experience in developing and implementing effective land management strategies.

Candidates in the graduate Entomology program at Montana State are able to broaden their knowledge within the field through formal coursework and independent research projects that span the breadth of research foci in the field. Taking advantage of Montana State’s location within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and within the western United States, entomological research at MSU includes some of the most important pests in the region, while beneficial insects studied in the department include various biological control agents and pollinators. Depending on a candidate’s interest, their individual program can be designed to suit their individual interests and career goals.

Students in the Paleontology program at Montana State focus on studying fossils within their geologic context, both inside the classroom and at MSU’s summer field courses located across the Mountain West. Designed for students with a strong interest in geology and biology, students gain a solid understanding of geology in addition to studying invertebrate and vertebrate fossils. This program structure allows students the versatility for careers not only within paleontology but also in jobs that require geological knowledge, such as those within the petroleum industry and more.

Designed for both pre- and mid-career professionals, students in the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) program at Montana State are immersed in studies that include public administration theory, human resource management, public budgeting, public policy process, leadership, ethics, organization dynamics, and research methodology for public administrators. The program is designed to support specializations in local government, non-profit management, Native American affairs, natural resources policy and planning.

In the Mathematics graduate program at Montana State, candidates work in a variety of areas including real and complex analysis, applied mathematics, dynamical systems, mathematical biology, mathematical imaging and probability. Additionally, candidates are able to take advantage of the prestigious MT PEAKS Fellowship, which is specifically designed to broaden candidates’ training beyond academia and into business, industry or governmental pathways.

Students in the Business – Marketing program at Montana State gain the tools to enter this growing and continuously-changing sector of the global economy through hands-on projects in and out of the classroom. Marketing students focus on skills such as statistical analysis, market tests and product research with interdisciplinary courses, extracurricular networking and consultation projects with the community. Once they enter the workforce, students in the program go on to become marketing and sales managers, retail buyers, sales professionals, digital marketing specialists or advertising account representatives.

In the Geographic Information Science/Planning program at Montana State, students use a mix of technical skills and academic training to prepare to enter the fields of planning and resource management. Students will be prepared as map makers, spatial analysts and planners as they work in an active hands-on environment.