Master of Science in Biological Sciences

at Montana State University - Bozeman USA

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.

The Livestock Management & Industry option at Montana State stresses the application of science to livestock production, especially in the western United States. In the program, students learn about the principles of economics, range science and physiology to help manage and raise sustainable livestock herds, as well as develop the business acumen to manage ranches, stockyards and other businesses related to livestock production.

Situated jointly within the College of Agriculture and the College of Letters and Science, the economics program at Montana State has an excellent reputation with regional, national and international firms as well as exceptional graduate schools. Students examine behavioral economics, development, public policy and more under award-winning faculty members who are dedicated to high-quality education, outreach and research. More than just a subject of study and memorization, economics at Montana State is a tool for understanding and improving the world.

The History program at Montana State allows students to specialize in the study of the American West, U.S. history, environmental history and the history of science and technology. History students participate in original research projects and student-centered learning activities, as well as internships at historical societies, museums and Yellowstone National Park, among other organizations.

In the Rangeland Ecology & Management program at Montana State, students are given a background in ecological principles as preparation for managing rangelands in the western United States. Along with coursework in resource inventory, watersheds, rangeland restoration and vegetation ecology, Rangeland Ecology & Management students are able to select courses which focus on either production agriculture or other natural resource areas.

In the Medical Laboratory Science option at Montana State, students are prepared for a career in clinical laboratory science by taking coursework in a range of medically-oriented fields including immunology, medical bacteriology, virology, parasitology, hematology, mycology and chemistry. Depending on the student’s needs, the Medical Laboratory Science program offers two plans for students to complete the program. Once training is complete, Medical Laboratory Science students will be qualified to take a national registry exam and become certified as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.

Students in the Mathematics program at Montana State start their journey with a core of mathematical analysis before embarking on coursework in abstract and linear algebra, as well as other classes that delve into subject matter that prepare students for potential employment as an analyst or computational specialist. The Mathematics program is flexible enough to accommodate students who are interested in industries such as business, government or scientific computing.

Students in the Psychology department at Montana State work in a collaborative environment for innovative and scientific discovery in psychological science, as well as for the attainment of psychological literacy. Emphasis is placed on applying and understanding knowledge that concerns the behavioral and cognitive processes of humans and other animals, learning of various research methods used to study psychological phenomena and insight into the strengths and limitations of each.

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.

Students within the Agricultural Education – Communications, Leadership and Extension program at Montana State develop professional skills to advocate for the agriculture industry and educate diverse audiences on emerging agricultural issues. Depending on the students’ interests, they can focus on agricultural communications, agricultural extension, or agricultural leadership as part of their course of studies. Regardless of their track, every Agricultural Education – Communications, Leadership and Extension student completes a Leadership Fellows certificate, as well as an internship with an agricultural agency, Extension office or agricultural organization.