Master of Fine Arts in Science and Natural History Filmmaking

at Montana State University - Bozeman USA

The Conservation Biology and Ecology program at Montana State is an interdisciplinary program focused on understanding the structure and function of ecological communities. Combining study of ecology with history, philosophy, political science, economics and law, the degree provides a strong foundation that prepares students for graduate studies, reflecting the reality that most jobs in ecology, conservation and wildlife biology require an advanced degree.

In the graduate program for Plant Sciences at Montana State, candidates pursue research projects within state-of-the-art laboratories on subjects such as plant breeding and genetics, plant pathology, mycology, biotechnology, plant physiology and systematics, molecular evolution and biochemistry. Candidates conduct these projects in labs such as the Plant BioScience Facility or the Plant Growth Center, with over 29 glasshouse rooms and 8,300 square feet of bench space. They also train under award-winning researchers in the field.

The Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science program at Montana State is an interdisciplinary program that pairs knowledge of computer science with the social sciences, humanities or business to become a creative problem-solver in a variety of fields. Computer Science B.A. students choose from dozens of paired majors in the arts, humanities or other non-STEM areas to build a program of study tailored to their interests. Students are then armed with the skills to enter into high-demand careers in social media, digital marketing, data analytics and more.

In the Science, the Environment, Technology & Society (SETS) program at Montana State, students study history through the lens of science, technology and the environment within broader cultural contexts, such as intellectual and social history, environmental history, religious studies or philosophy. SETS students choose one of several specialties as a focus for their coursework, including Philosophy of Science, History of Science and Technology, Science and Technology Policy or Environmental History.

Candidates in the Community Health graduate program at Montana State integrate public health theory and critical thinking in an interdisciplinary program that allows students to design their course of study with a faculty mentor in order to ensure that their curriculum is aligned with professional interests and goals. In addition to nurturing close professional relationships with faculty mentors, Community Health candidates also gain hands-on research experience with research projects and partnerships with rural or Native American communities.

Students in the Psychology department at Montana State work in a collaborative environment for innovative and scientific discovery in psychological science, as well as for the attainment of psychological literacy. Emphasis is placed on applying and understanding knowledge that concerns the behavioral and cognitive processes of humans and other animals, learning of various research methods used to study psychological phenomena and insight into the strengths and limitations of each.

Students in the Plant Biology program at Montana State start with a broad education of issues connected to the plant sciences before focusing their interest in the field with a cellular, molecular, organismal, ecological or genetic perspective to botany. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the program, Plant Biology students are able to personalize their studies with additional coursework in departments such as Ecology or Land Resources & Environmental Sciences to complement their interests.

The Land Rehabilitation graduate program at Montana State covers the breadth and depth land management. Students focus on topics like site revegetation, soil remediation, restoration of riparian zones and stream channels and remediation of contaminated sites. Emphasis is placed on developing a broad understanding of soil, plant and hydrological processes as foundation to effective applications. 

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.

Students within the Agricultural Education – Communications, Leadership and Extension program at Montana State develop professional skills to advocate for the agriculture industry and educate diverse audiences on emerging agricultural issues. Depending on the students’ interests, they can focus on agricultural communications, agricultural extension, or agricultural leadership as part of their course of studies. Regardless of their track, every Agricultural Education – Communications, Leadership and Extension student completes a Leadership Fellows certificate, as well as an internship with an agricultural agency, Extension office or agricultural organization.