Bachelor of Science, Major in Earth Sciences with Emphasis in Paleontology

at Montana State University - Bozeman USA

Financial engineers combine economic theory and engineering problem-solving skills to assist businesses with risk management strategies, which is an increasingly important role in today’s globalized economy. In the Financial Engineering program at Montana State, students undergo rigorous training in economics, engineering mathematics and actuarial methods that are at the core of the financial industry.

In the Fish & Wildlife Ecology & Management program at Montana State, students are able conduct research on the ecology and management of diverse mammal, bird and fish species in one of the most diverse ecosystems in North America. Both Yellowstone National Park and the Gallatin Valley serve as outdoor laboratories for the program, with opportunities to conduct active professional research with programs such as the National Resources Ecology Laboratory at Colorado State University, the Association for Conservation of the Tropics, Cape RADD and more.

Students within the graduate Science and Natural History Filmmaking program at Montana State are given the tools and opportunities to tell the story of science through the dynamic medium of cinematography and filmmaking. After graduating with a Master of Fine Arts degree, students in the program have had their work broadcast on many major channels and programs such as and won some of the industry’s top awards, from EMMYS to Fulbright Scholarships.

Students within the Geology program at Montana State learn to apply the principles of chemistry, physics and mathematics to the study of the Earth’s surface and interior. Coursework spans core topics in earth sciences and include subjects such as mineralogy, sedimentation and stratigraphy, structural geology, global tectonics and sedimentary petrology. In addition to this, Geology students also gain important skills in field methodology and take a capstone field geology course prior to graduation.

Montana State’s American Studies graduate program allows master’s and doctoral students to delve into the history and culture of the United States with a special focus on the American West. Candidates can choose to study fields such as American Arts, American History, American Literature, American Pluralism or Public History. MSU’s unique Rocky Mountain setting provides candidates with pioneering research opportunities at such sites as the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Yellowstone National Park and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming.

Students in the Graphic Design program at Montana State launch their studies with a series of core and foundation courses before passing a sophomore portfolio review to gain admittance as a full Graphic Design student in their junior and senior years. Graphic Design students develop a variety of professional and design skills that later translate into opportunities in advertising, publishing, marketing, public relations, user interaction and other creative-based industries. Over the past 30 years, graduates of the Graphic Design program at Montana State have been placed at in-house corporate design positions such as Adidas, Starbucks, Nike, K2 Skis and Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply, amongst others.

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.

In the French & Francophone Studies program at Montana State, students are able to explore a full range of courses on French language, culture and literature. French & Francophone Studies students start with a grounding of the French language throughout their freshman and sophomore years before delving into advanced language labs and other in-depth research surrounding Francophone interests.

Students in the Physics program at Montana State work closely with faculty on cutting-edge research projects that range from subjects as varied as astrophysics, biophysics, optics, solar physics and space science. The Interdisciplinary option in the Physics program allows for students to gain a solid foundation in mathematics and the physical sciences while also specializing in another subject such as chemistry, biology, computer science, engineering, material science, optics and beyond. Using this broad base, students enter into careers as diverse as education, business administration, journalism, education or technical writing.

In the graduate program for Plant Pathology at Montana State, candidates investigate major problems in plant pathology within MSU’s state of the art agricultural facilities. Sample research projects include, but are not limited to, soil-borne diseases in cereals, the genetic root of disease resistance in field crops, cereal leaf spots, viral diseases inherent in cereals and potatoes, bacterial diseases in plants, and the biochemistry and molecular genetics of general plant diseases. Not only does this research apply to making a healthier and more robust food supply, but the research also seeks to develop new technology to manage crop pests.