Master of Science in Earth Sciences

at Montana State University - Bozeman USA

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.

Students in the English Writing program at Montana State are expected to become skilled readers and writers through the study of language and literature. This option is also ideal for students who wish to double-major both in writing and another academic field. The study of literature and effective writing is useful in the areas of publishing, journalism, creative media and many other fields as various industries continue to seek people who are exceptionally literate and articulate.

In the Rangeland Ecology & Management program at Montana State, students are given a background in ecological principles as preparation for managing rangelands in the western United States. Along with coursework in resource inventory, watersheds, rangeland restoration and vegetation ecology, Rangeland Ecology & Management students are able to select courses which focus on either production agriculture or other natural resource areas.

Situated jointly within the College of Agriculture and the College of Letters and Science, the economics program at Montana State has an excellent reputation with regional, national and international firms as well as exceptional graduate schools. Students examine behavioral economics, development, public policy and more under award-winning faculty members who are dedicated to high-quality education, outreach and research. More than just a subject of study and memorization, economics at Montana State is a tool for understanding and improving the world.

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 and space science. The Professional option in the Physics program is specifically designed to prepare motivated students for graduate study with a sound background in the fundamentals of physics and mathematics, as well as hands-on research opportunities within state-of-the-art facilities. Graduates of the Professional program go on to continue their studies at schools such as Caltech, Stanford and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The Biotechnology program at Montana State is an interdisciplinary degree that prepares students interested in microbiology, animal or plant science, biochemistry, or animal/human medicine for rewarding careers that create solutions for health, agriculture and environmental quality. Students choose an area of emphasis in plant or animal/microbial systems.

Students within the Environmental Studies program at Montana State combine the traditional foundation of a broad-based liberal arts education with in-depth study of environmental issues from both a scientific and public policy perspective. As part of the Liberal Studies department, Environmental Studies 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.

Candidates in the Physics graduate program at Montana State conduct a wide variety of research projects from solar physics to superconductivity with MSU’s state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment. The program prides itself on collaborative research, whether it’s interdisciplinary teams on the MSU campus or working with national and international experts. In addition to the groundbreaking research conducted in the department, Physics candidates have the opportunity to conduct public outreach and educational research through the MSU Physics Education Research (PER) group.

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 in the Child Development program at Montana State are actively engaged in a variety of settings that include children, their families and other professionals in the field.  Course work and field experience provide students with multiple opportunities for applied understanding of children's growth and development, building family and community relationships, conducting observations and assessments, understanding developmentally appropriate practices and promoting the well-being of young children and their families.