Master of Science in Earth Sciences

at Montana State University - Bozeman USA

At Montana State, students in the Snow Science track have one of the best laboratories in the nation in which to study: the Rocky Mountains. Alongside some of the most preeminent scientists in the field, students gain a foundational understanding of the distribution, mechanics and composition of snow before further defining their study before graduation. Snow scientists find careers in snow safety and consulting in land use planning, transportation and avalanche protection, as well as post-graduate study to further prepare for positions in the field.

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 Equine Science track of Animal Science at Montana State are immersed in a program that combines the scientific and technical knowledge required in the industry with practical aspects of management, horsemanship and training. Students gain experience with business and management tools for the equine industry, colt breaking and horse behavior, land management for small acreage grazing and equine growth and development. In addition to hands-on learning experiences and internships, students can also take advantage of the program’s amazing facilities and affiliated Farrier School.

In the Dietetics program at Montana State, students interested in pursuing a career as a registered dietician gain a strong foundational understanding in food and nutrition, food service management and clinical nutrition. At the conclusion of their undergraduate study, Dietetics students should be prepared to enter a graduate degree-level dietetic internship such as the Montana Dietetic Internship, which is required in order to be eligible to take the exam for dietetic registration.

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 in the Studio Arts program at Montana State begin their undergraduate artistic journey with Foundations courses, which aim to introduce students to the design thinking and visual literacy skills needed for the rest of their years in the program. From there, Studio Arts students have the opportunity to focus their creative personal vision in one of six areas of study: painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture + extended media, metalsmithing or ceramics.

Students in the Sustainable Crop Production program at Montana State pursue the answers to hard-hitting questions pertaining to sustainability and agriculture. Those questions include “Where does our food come from? Are there ways to sustainably maintain production levels and yet protect our natural resources? Is it possible to improve the quality and nutrition of our food supply? Are local food systems a viable alternative to corporate agricultural production? Can crops grown for bioenergy production reduce our use of fossil fuels and lessen carbon dioxide emissions?” Coursework in the Sustainable Crop Production program help students in digging for those answers, including agronomy, soil fertility, plant genetics and physiology, greenhouse production, plant propagation, integrated pest management and small business management.

Montana State’s Master of Architecture program is specifically designed to hone the creative and scientific skills obtained in a candidate’s undergraduate studies with comprehensive design studios, investigative projects and preparation to take the ARE in order to become a registered architect. Candidates will have opportunities to forge their design sensibilities and scientific knowledge with explorations of sustainable building practices and the impact of architecture and the environment.

In order to provide students with the skills needed in a globalized world that increasingly pivots on Asia, Montana State University offers an interdisciplinary Asian studies major. In the Asian Studies program at Montana State, students are given the option to study either Arabic, Chinese or Japanese as a core language, as well as explore cultural electives and literature courses that span the continent.

Candidates in the Microbiology and Immunology program at Montana State engage in state-of-the-art research within one of the premier infectious disease research programs in the Northwest. Studying alongside leaders in the field, candidates are able to explore research within the environmental sciences or biomedical sciences and are encouraged to develop interdisciplinary ties in their research with additional departments and programs.