Bachelor of Science, Major in Biological Sciences with Emphasis in Organismal Biology

at Montana State University - Bozeman USA

Agroecologists explore how crops and pest organisms interact with their environment, and the application of technology to efficiently and sustainability produce crops. In the Agroecology program at Montana State, students focus on community ecology, environmental science and cropland ecosystems and how they affect agricultural production decisions. After mastering fundamental principles of ecology, soil science, agronomy and pest management, Agroecology students are prepared to enter careers in the food or bioenergy sectors.

The Community Health program at Montana State focuses on improving health and well-being for all through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, healthy family functioning, community actions for health and conditions that make it possible to live healthful lives. Students in the program draw on public health, education, psychology, sociology, family science and other social and behavioral sciences while engaging in community involvement and interactive processes to best understand the field.

Horticulture is the science and art of growing and maintaining plants for food, enjoyment and improvement of the human environment. Students of Environmental Horticulture Science in the Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology department at Montana State take fundamental courses in biology, chemistry and math prior to taking specialized courses such as plant physiology, plant pathology and plant reproduction. Students can also expect to take courses in ecology, business and communications to best prepare them for careers in such areas as floral and nursery crop production and in research with private companies, public agencies or higher education.

Candidates in the Innovation and Management graduate program at Montana State develop skills and knowledge in an innovative one-year program designed to accelerate their career potential, either through entrepreneurship or leadership in existing organizations. The Innovation and Management program is made for candidates interested in innovating, leading, and solving challenging problems, especially in the design, science, technology, engineering, or math fields. Innovation and Management students will expand their skill sets through first-hand experiences working on projects with researchers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders and government programming.

In the Sustainable Food Systems graduate program at Montana State, candidates dig further into special topics on sustainability and the food industry to better understand the relation between food systems and public health. Sustainable Food Systems graduate student projects can potentially cover a broad range of topics, including but not limited to food system education and public awareness, how local food systems can localize diets, institutional purchasing of local foods, food policies, community supported agriculture, food processing and distribution, community food security, community-based food and nutrition assistance and more. Additionally, students are able to tailor the program to their specific interests by taking coursework connected to health promotion and education, political science, economics, business, Native American Studies, agriculture and food science.

Focused on writing, teaching, and literary studies, the graduate English program at Montana State covers a range of literary topics from different countries of origin and time periods, but always centering on a focus on the vital role of space. Such inquiry may consider the iconic terrain of the American West, the battlefields of Europe, and other settings both rural and urban. Students develop close mentoring relationships with faculty members who have expertise in fields such as writing studies, education and pedagogy, British literature and the literature of the American West.

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.

Candidates within the Earth Sciences graduate program at Montana State are encouraged to dive into independent thesis research across a variety of specializations within the fields of geography and geology. Faculty and advisor expertise spans many subfields of the discipline, including settlement geography, bioclimatology, GIS, planning, snow science, volcanology, paleobiology, dinosaur taphonomy, stratigraphy and geomorphology. Recent M.S. students have produced groundbreaking research and have expanded our knowledge of issues from GIS-based assessment of landslide hazards to exotic species assessment in Grand Teton National Park.

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.

Microbiology is a diverse discipline that has become an umbrella term for a variety of studies, including bacteriology, mycology, protozoology, phycology, parasitology and virology. In the Environmental Health program at Montana State, students are able to delve into the study of medical microbiology, virology, immunology and molecular biology in order to prepare for careers in the public health sector.