Bachelor of Science, Major in Biological Sciences with Emphasis in Organismal Biology

at Montana State University - Bozeman USA

Housed within the Department of Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology, the Landscape Design option at Montana State prepares students to solve aesthetic and functional landscape problems. Emphasis is placed on utilization of plant materials to solve specific site problems and students learn written, oral and graphic communication skills necessary to convey creative solutions for landscape planning. Graduates are employed by landscape nurseries, landscape contractors and planning agencies, while others become self-employed as landscape designers and contractors. Many students have chosen to continue advanced studies in programs of landscape architecture.

Housed within the Civil Engineering department at Montana State, the Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering is intended to address the demand for classically trained engineers with focus on environmental, municipal and industrial processes and strengths in water chemistry, fluid mechanics and hydraulics. Students learn to work with the environment, not against it, preserving and protecting resources while providing for the structural needs of society.

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.

From designing the next generation of spacecraft and automobiles to alternative energy systems and much more, mechanical engineers enjoy a wide variety of career opportunities that involve working with thermal and mechanical energy. Students in the Mechanical Engineering program at Montana State are given ample opportunity for hands-on experience, from studying in MSU’s computer-aided drafting, integrated manufacturing and machining laboratories to their capstone senior projects that solve real-world design problems.

Students in the Political Science department at Montana State develop knowledge of American political institutions, world politics, political theory, public administration and policy through the lens of a political scientist. In addition to the courses available, Political Science students are also able to learn more about the discipline through a variety of hands-on opportunities such as the department’s internship program, as well as study abroad opportunities.

Students in the Animal Science option at Montana State investigate the basic biological sciences of major livestock and rangeland in depth, as well as animal breeding, reproductive physiology, nutrition and livestock production. The option is designed for highly motivated students who have a strong interest in graduate training or professional school; graduates have gone onto veterinary school, medical school and graduate studies in the field.

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 Microbiology program at Montana State, students are able to delve into the study of all of these broad tracks of microbiology to prepare for careers in microbiology, the health profession, veterinary school or various topics in environmental microbiology.

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.

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.

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.