Bachelor of Science, Major in Sociology with Emphasis in Criminology

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.

Housed within Montana State’s Department of Ecology as an option within the Biological Sciences major, Biology Teaching provides a solid education in biology and basic sciences with professional preparation courses required for state teacher certification. Graduates will gain a clear understanding of natural and human-related processes within ecosystems, learn the basic principles of plant and animal ecology and be qualified to teach secondary school biology.

Music Technology students at Montana State develop skills across areas such as music composition and theory, recording, sound synthesis and design, film scoring, orchestration, music instrumentation and instrumental or vocal performance. Alongside faculty, students in the program compose original music and collaborate on artistic works with other students from across campus and within the School of Music. Graduates of the Music Technology program go on to pursue careers in audio and sound design, music composition for performance media, sales representative in music technology, sound engineering, private studio instruction and further graduate study in the field.

Sociology is concerned with the study of human social behavior and the influence of society upon this behavior. In the General Sociology program at Montana State, students gain a broad and general foundation in Sociology, which allows them to fully customize their program focus based off of personal interest. Some of those specific areas of interest include social inequality, family and child relations, business and management, marketing and public relations, social services, health and medicine or pre-law.

Students in the Sustainable Crop Production program at Montana State pursue the answers to hard-hitting questions pertaining to sustainability and agriculture. Those questions include “Where does our food come from? Are there ways to sustainably maintain production levels and yet protect our natural resources? Is it possible to improve the quality and nutrition of our food supply? Are local food systems a viable alternative to corporate agricultural production? Can crops grown for bioenergy production reduce our use of fossil fuels and lessen carbon dioxide emissions?” Coursework in the Sustainable Crop Production program help students in digging for those answers, including agronomy, soil fertility, plant genetics and physiology, greenhouse production, plant propagation, integrated pest management and small business management.

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.

Graduate students in the Biochemistry program at Montana State conduct research in a highly collaborative department, with interdisciplinary research opportunities available on campus as well as abroad. Ranked among the nation’s 100 leading research universities by the Carnegie Foundation, candidates are given the freedom to tailor the program to their own needs and interests while conducting research in state-of-the-art LEED-certified laboratory facilities.

The graduate Health Sciences program at Montana State provides students with an opportunity to diversify or further solidify their educational foundation through graduate education that can be applied to any of several career paths in the health care field. The program supports the educational endeavors of Montana State graduates, post baccalaureate pre-medical certificate students, and non-certificate students who attend MSU to better prepare for entry into health care-related professional schools.  In addition to applying to various graduate programs in the health care field, some students choose to pursue a Ph.D. following the program.

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.

Candidates in the Native American Studies graduate program at Montana State are able to study a diverse array of interdisciplinary subjects surrounding indigenous history and issues, as well as contribute to MSU's vibrant Native American community. Students focus on subjects such as history, cultural theory and methodology, anthropology, Native food systems, federal Indian law and policy, gender studies, literature and art, film studies, tribal government, higher education, geography and Native sciences and land resources and environmental studies. At the conclusion of their program, candidates pursue either a professional project or a thesis depending on their professional goals.