Master of Science in Microbiology and Immunology

at Montana State University - Bozeman USA

In the Environmental Biology program at Montana State, students learn more about the diversity of organisms – from microorganisms to large mammals – and their interconnected relationships in various complex environments. Environmental Biology students engage in cross-training on various subjects in biology and microbiology in order to gain a better understanding of those interrelated relationships on both a physical and chemical level in the environment.

Candidates in the graduate Entomology program at Montana State are able to broaden their knowledge within the field through formal coursework and independent research projects that span the breadth of research foci in the field. Taking advantage of Montana State’s location within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and within the western United States, entomological research at MSU includes some of the most important pests in the region, while beneficial insects studied in the department include various biological control agents and pollinators. Depending on a candidate’s interest, their individual program can be designed to suit their individual interests and career goals.

In the Management program at Montana State, students actively practice the critical problem-solving and decision-making skills that will serve in the workforce. Whether networking through the Management & HR Club or practicing a start-up pitch at the Jabs Entrepreneurship Center, Management students have a breath of resources at their fingertips to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom into the real world. With the skills gained in the Management track, students are prepared to step into a variety of roles such as analysts, managers, human resources specialists, entrepreneurship and more.

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 Sustainable Food Systems program at Montana State, students focus on the interconnected relationships between production, food policy, food security and health in order to make informed decisions and solutions to complex problems in the food industry. Sustainable Food Systems students develop important skills through hands-on experience in service-based learning internships, organic farming, culinary fundamentals and management, training on research methods and carrying out research projects in surrounding communities.

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.

In the Mental Health Counseling option at Montana State, students gain the skills to address a variety of mental health issues through the lens of human development, counseling theory, learning theory, group dynamics and the etiology of mental illness and dysfunctional behavior. Mental Health Counseling students engage in projects that enhance their personal and professional development as counselors and develop their knowledge and skills on how to identify and care for various client populations and their concerns. Each student in the Mental Health Counseling program undergoes 700 hours of supervised experience in appraisal, individual, group counseling, and consultation in clinic and community agencies prior to graduation.

Montana State’s interdisciplinary Data Science program draws on courses in three programs: Computer Science, Mathematics, and Statistics. Candidates within the program delve into topics such as machine learning, algorithms, data mining, and artificial intelligence while also gaining skills in data analysis and contextualization. With the education Master of Data Science students attain at MSU, they’ll be able to actively contribute to the field through technical writing, data visualization, presentations, and active software solutions.

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.

In the French & Francophone Studies program at Montana State, students are able to explore a full range of courses on French language, culture and literature. French & Francophone Studies students start with a grounding of the French language throughout their freshman and sophomore years before delving into advanced language labs and other in-depth research surrounding Francophone interests.