Bachelor of Science, Major in Natural Resources and Rangeland Ecology with Emphasis in Wildlife Habitat Ecology and Management

at Montana State University - Bozeman USA

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, solar physics and space science. The Interdisciplinary option in the Physics program allows for students to gain a solid foundation in mathematics and the physical sciences while also specializing in another subject such as chemistry, biology, computer science, engineering, material science, optics and beyond. Using this broad base, students enter into careers as diverse as education, business administration, journalism, education or technical writing.

Students in the Agribusiness Management program at Montana State learn how to apply economic and business principles to the organization, operation and management of agricultural enterprises. Agribusiness Management students study the production, processing, marketing and distribution of agricultural products, as well as the accounting, finance and management skills core to running a successful business in the agricultural sector. Upon graduation, students are prepared to make the best decisions regarding production, crop and animal management and business strategy for agribusiness firms.

Students in the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program at Montana State immerse themselves in the fundamentals of computing while exploring fields such as artificial intelligence, multimedia and computational biology. Computer Science B.S. students have two tracks to choose from: the Professional Option, which allows students to delve more deeply into computer science and related technical areas, and the Interdisciplinary Option, which allows students to intersect their technological interests with other fields that range from Entrepreneurship to Japanese Studies.

Integrated Lens-Based Media students at Montana State are immersed in an intensive, interdisciplinary course of study in both cinematic and photographic media. The Integrated Lens-Based Media program combines aspects of the Film and Photography programs, allowing students to explore aspects of filmmaking and photography in their art practice. Under the mentorship of two advisors – one filmmaker and one photographer – students in the program design a customized curriculum that culminates in a comprehensive, interdisciplinary capstone project that will prepare them to pursue a career as a professional artist or further study in graduate school.

Students in the Film program at Montana State gain a hands-on education in motion picture production with a variety of studio and theory courses that expose future filmmakers to both the practical and historical aspects of the field. After applying to the Film program, students focus on scriptwriting, acting, documentary film and production for film and theatre, among other subjects – all while having ample opportunity to gain on-the-job experience through internships with major names in the film industry, submissions to major film festivals and more.

Montana State’s graduate program in Agricultural Education prepares students for entry into or advancement in formal and non-formal teaching careers. In addition to the wide variety of professional courses in agricultural education, offerings are also available in agricultural economics, animal and range sciences, land resources and environmental sciences, plant sciences and plant pathology, and veterinary molecular biology.

Housed within MSU’s Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry as an option within the Chemistry major, the teaching option provides a thorough background in the basic fields of chemistry and an acquaintance with the more relevant aspects of chemistry in society, which are essential to any practicing chemistry teacher.

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 Environmental Microbiology program at Montana State, students are able to delve into the study of molecular biology, microbial physiology, microbial genetics and environmental microbiology to prepare for careers in the field.

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.

Candidates within the Fish & Wildlife Management graduate program at Montana State conduct applied research on the ecology and management of the diverse mammal, bird and fish species within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Established in 1936, the Fish & Wildlife Management Program at Montana State is one of the oldest and most successful resource management programs in the United States and graduate students benefit both from this tradition and the resources provided by the Department of Ecology and mentorship from the Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit of the USGS Biological Resources Division. The Master of Science in Fish & Wildlife Management can act as a terminal degree leading to professional employment as a fisheries or wildlife biologist but can also lead to a Ph.D. in Fish & Wildlife Biology or other disciplines.