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

at Montana State University - Bozeman USA

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.

The Latin American and Latino Studies program at Montana State provides students interested in Latin American and Latino history, culture, and language with valuable interdisciplinary skills. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the program, Latin American and Latino Studies students are given the option to not only study courses focusing on Latin American and Latino socio-cultural subjects but other relevant content from other departments such as sociology, political science or gender studies, as well. Although the equivalent of four semesters of Spanish language is required, students with prior experience in Spanish language or heritage students may have some of those language requirements waived.

Students within the Animal Systems program at Montana State start their studies with a strong foundation in coursework on chemistry, physics, biology, microbiology and genetics during the first two years of the program. From there, students will apply both molecular and cellular biological concepts and associated techniques to address problems facing animal production systems. 

Students in the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program at Montana State immerse themselves in the fundamentals of computing while exploring fields such as artificial intelligence, multimedia and computational biology. Computer Science B.S. students have two tracks to choose from: the Professional Option, which allows students to delve more deeply into computer science and related technical areas, and the Interdisciplinary Option, which allows students to intersect their technological interests with other fields that range from Entrepreneurship to Japanese Studies.

Students in the Biological Engineering program at Montana State learn at the exciting interface of biology, chemistry and industrial systems. Whether discovering how microbes in Yellowstone National Park could be used to recycle plastic or working in a lab to develop new tools for diagnosing diseases like malaria and cancer in low-resource settings, Biological Engineering students are afforded a variety of opportunities to develop skills that will serve them in positions in biomedicine, environmental remediation and more.

Students in the Philosophy department at Montana State take a wide range of courses that explore diverse topics through the writings of important philosophers, both past and present. Emphasis is placed on understanding different solutions to questions about such topics as the role of emotion in film, the moral questions surrounding medicine and bioethics, the importance of the environment and animals, the origin of life or the nature of consciousness, as well as how to analyze and criticize these solutions.

Students within the Applied Mathematics program at Montana State learn to describe physical phenomena within the world using deterministic models. Applied Mathematics students will use their skills in mathematical analysis and computational science to draw insights in the biological and physical science fields, as well as other applications.

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 Microbiology program at Montana State, students are able to delve into the study of molecular biology, microbial physiology, microbial genetics and environmental microbiology to prepare for careers in the field.

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 graduate Animal & Range Sciences program at Montana State, candidates pursue research projects across a wide variety of subject matter, including livestock nutrition, livestock breeding and genetics, meat science, production systems, rangeland management, land-use planning, wildlife management and more. Graduate candidates choose between Animal or Range Sciences for their research emphasis, with projects that open up opportunities to conduct research with cooperating ranches, the USDA, federal and state agencies, and research laboratories across the Mountain West.