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

at Montana State University - Bozeman USA

Students within the Geography program at Montana State are introduced to a series of core geography courses that explore world regional, physical and human geography concepts. After gaining a core understanding of spatial relationships, global distributions of physical and cultural phenomena and the factors contributing to the evolution of the Earth’s varied landscapes, students then have the opportunity to declare an emphasis in physical or human geography depending on potential careers ranging from environmental management to city planning.

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.

Crop scientists are tasked with the unique puzzle of finding out ways to boost crop production while also maintaining the delicate balance of the ecosystem around us. In the Crop Science program at Montana State, students take courses designed to introduce core crop and soil management concepts, including soil fertility, plant physiology, crop production, crop breeding and pest management.

Anthropology, broadly speaking, is the study of humankind from a cross-cultural perspective. In the Anthropology program at Montana State, students have the opportunity to investigate a variety of subjects through the lenses of ethnology, archaeology, biological anthropology and linguistics. These studies take students out into field and lab research opportunities across the Mountain West, providing students with a well-rounded knowledge of the theory and practice of anthropology and how to apply those skills to understanding both historical and contemporary social practices.

In the graduate Art History program at Montana State, candidates have the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with faculty that possess extensive experience in field, museum and archival research. With a strong record of scholarly publications and backgrounds in art historical theory and methodology, candidates are able to collaborate on scholarship that spans from antiquity to the core of Western art history, as well as foci in Ancient to Contemporary China, the Americas, decorative arts and museum studies.

Students within the Quaternity program at Montana State explore their education through the lens of a traditional liberal arts education, with a flexible student-centered course plan that views the world through four concepts of knowledge: thinking, feeling, intuition and sensation. As part of the Liberal Studies department, Quaternity students take a series of integrative seminars designed to provide a sense of academic community and improve their critical thinking and communication skills, all while obtaining a better understanding of the factual knowledge and theoretical foundations of the subjects they’re studying.

Kinesiology students at Montana State not only learn about the psychological and historical influence of human movement, but also how those perspectives then affect the physiological aspects of human performance and recovery. Studying both the theoretical and practical aspects of human performance helps prepare students for a variety of professions in physical activity and sport. Not only do graduates enter into careers within corporate and commercial fitness and wellness programs, but are also prepared for professional certifications through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Integrated Lens-Based Media students at Montana State are immersed in an intensive, interdisciplinary course of study in both cinematic and photographic media. The Integrated Lens-Based Media program combines aspects of the Film and Photography programs, allowing students to explore aspects of filmmaking and photography in their art practice. Under the mentorship of two advisors – one filmmaker and one photographer – students in the program design a customized curriculum that culminates in a comprehensive, interdisciplinary capstone project that will prepare them to pursue a career as a professional artist or further study in graduate school.

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 Soil & Water Science program at Montana State gain a core foundation in the biological, chemical and physical sciences and how they affect two of the core resources on Earth: water and soil. Soil & Water Science students undergo advanced training in soil science and hydrology so that they might be able to apply their skills to land resource management, watershed management, pollution treatment and prevention, land rehabilitation bioremediation.