Bachelor of Science, Major in Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems with Emphasis in Agroecology

at Montana State University - Bozeman USA

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 within the Global & Multicultural Studies program at Montana State combine the traditional foundation of a broad-based liberal arts education with in-depth study of international and American cultural, ethnic and gender issues that span a wide range of disciplines. As part of the Liberal Studies department, Global & Multicultural 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.

Students in the Paleontology program at Montana State focus on studying fossils within their geologic context, both inside the classroom and at MSU’s summer field courses located across the Mountain West. Designed for students with a strong interest in geology and biology, students gain a solid understanding of geology in addition to studying invertebrate and vertebrate fossils. This program structure allows students the versatility for careers not only within paleontology but also in jobs that require geological knowledge, such as those within the petroleum industry and more.

Students within the Art History program at Montana State engage with comprehensive and innovative coursework that investigates the conditions, environments and methods of art-making from the ancient time to present day. With the option to travel abroad and engage in immersive learning experiences, working with leading academics in the field, writing in The BOZetto: The Undergraduate Journal of Art History or gaining hands-on experience at the Museum of the Rockies, students gain the opportunity to break the traditional boundaries of art history scholarship to engage with a variety of new perspectives.

The Community Health program at Montana State focuses on improving health and well-being for all through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, healthy family functioning, community actions for health and conditions that make it possible to live healthful lives. Students in the program draw on public health, education, psychology, sociology, family science and other social and behavioral sciences while engaging in community involvement and interactive processes to best understand the field.

In the graduate Statistics program at Montana State, masters and doctoral candidates alike gain a solid background in the theory of statistics, as well as hands-on practice in applying statistical concepts to actionable problems. Masters candidates prepare for further graduate work or careers in academia, industry, business or the government, while doctoral candidates push their statistical knowledge to its furthest reaches by pursuing research projects for a dissertation.

The graduate Industrial and Management Systems Engineering program at Montana State is available as a two-year program or as a one-year "seamless" master's program in conjunction with the bachelor's in Industrial and Management Systems Engineering. Students in the Industrial and Management Systems Engineering program are equipped with a suite of management skills they can apply to finding solutions in a variety of business or community settings. The industrial engineering programs at Montana State emphasizes social justice as a design approach that broadly serves society.

Crop scientists are tasked with the unique puzzle of finding out ways to boost crop production while also maintaining the delicate balance of the ecosystem around us. In the Crop Science program at Montana State, students take courses designed to introduce core crop and soil management concepts, including soil fertility, plant physiology, crop production, crop breeding and pest management.

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.

Students within the Geology program at Montana State learn to apply the principles of chemistry, physics and mathematics to the study of the Earth’s surface and interior. Coursework spans core topics in earth sciences and include subjects such as mineralogy, sedimentation and stratigraphy, structural geology, global tectonics and sedimentary petrology. In addition to this, Geology students also gain important skills in field methodology and take a capstone field geology course prior to graduation.