Master of Science in Mathematics Education

at Montana State University - Bozeman USA

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.

As part of the Plant Biotechnology program at Montana State, students gain a strong foundation in the field by completing coursework through the first two years of the program in diverse subjects including chemistry, physics, biology, microbiology, genetics and other allied sciences. Once the general biotechnology coursework is complete, Plant Biotechnology students then study and address the various problems facing the various issues facing plant production and plant-related agricultural systems.

The Mathematics Education graduate program at Montana State is an online graduate program designed to challenge candidates’ mathematical thinking and ignite their enthusiasm for secondary school mathematics teaching. Designed with working teachers in mind, the Mathematics Education program provides opportunities for teachers to apply what they’re learning in the program directly to their classrooms with projects that engage teachers and their students in exploring new mathematics content.

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.

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.

The Master of Fine Arts program at Montana State is structured as a project-based, non-media specific program that advances both artistic development and creative leadership. Over the course of three years, students who practice a variety of different media within their art form a community that fosters exploration, professionalism and creative success. Students within the M.F.A. program enjoy a studio experience that both centers the conceptual and production processes of the art-making experience while developing the skills needed for professional artists to develop, organize and execute complex artistic or entrepreneurial endeavors. The M.F.A. program at Montana State is highly competitive and only accepts a limited number of students per cohort.

Students in the Environmental Sciences program at Montana State are exposed to a broader, more general view of the environmental sciences, whether in preparation to transfer into a more specialized major option or simply to get a broader understanding of land and natural resource systems. Students receive training in applied ecology, soil and water science and land resources analysis, as well as experience in developing and implementing effective land management strategies.

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.

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.

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.