Montana State University
Division of Graduate Education
Molecular Biosciences Program
P.O. Box 172580
Bozeman, MT 59717-2580
(406) 994-6652 mbprogram@montana.edu
The Molecular Biosciences Program offers numerous graduate research and training opportunities in Basic and Applied Life Sciences. Internationally recognized interdisciplinary research programs and Research Centers of Excellence provide students excellent career development opportunities.
The MB Program provides students with the opportunity to view faculty involved in life science research divided into research areas. The new approach should be easier for the prospective student to find a faculty conducting the research of most interest to them.
Five reasons why you should chose MSU for a graduate program
in Life Sciences.
1) Size - Smaller graduate classes that allow students to receive one on one mentoring and guidance from some of the best teachers and researchers in the world.
2) Unique Centers of Excellence found nowhere else in the nation. The Thermal Biology Institute is a multidisciplinary team of scientists studying the unique thermal environment within Yellowstone National Park. Center for Biofilm Engineering is a multidisciplinary research teams find solutions and applications for industrially relevant problems and potentials of microbial biofilm formation.
3) Recreation opportunities and quality of life in Bozeman, Montana are unsurpassed. Bozeman was ranked #5 in Outside Magazine's "40 Best College Towns" and #4 ski town by Skiing Magazine.
4) You will have more opportunities to engage in exciting multidisciplinary research. Montana State University faculty collaborate with scientists across many disciplines to approach scientific problems from a new angle.
5) Faculty committed to your educational goals and aspirations.
Molecular Biosciences is an interdisciplinary program that brings together faculty from nine science departments: Cell Biology and Neuroscience; Chemical and Biological Engineering; Chemistry and Biochemistry; Earth Sciences; Ecology; Land Resources and Environmental Sciences; Microbiology; Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology; and Veterinary Molecular Biology; and three research centers: Center for Biofilm Engineering, Center for BioInspired Materials and the Thermal Biology Institute. These departments and research centers provide students with the didactic and laboratory instruction they need to become successful research scientists. Members of the MB Program faculty are internationally recognized for their research.
Our program offers students a common but rigorous educational experience for the first three semesters. MB Program students participate in seminar series, program retreats, teaching, and may attend scientific meetings. In the second year after the fellow has chosen a research advisor based on their first-year rotation process, they will be formally admitted to one of the nine participating departments to complete degree requirements leading to the Doctorate of Philosophy.
Rotation and Second-year:
Program of Study
The first year of study includes course work and research rotations. All MB students are required to rotate in at least 3 different laboratories during their first year. Each rotation is six weeks and the course loads are light enough (two courses per semester) that students are able to spend 20 hours or more per week in the laboratory. Rotation students are become fully integrated into the laboratory so that they are exposed to the primary methodologies and research approaches of the faculty advisor. By mid-Spring semester of the first year, students choose a dissertation advisor. During the second year, students complete course requirements from their selected department and initiate explorative research to identify possible dissertation topics. Full-time dissertation research begins in the third year, after the students have advanced to candidacy.
Information on individual Degree programs, departments and centers
Information on individual Degree programs, departments and centers The Departments and Centers below participate in the MB Program. The Molecular Biosciences Program offers a first-year rotation option with flexibility in your Program of Study or you can apply to the traditional departmental graduate programs. If you are interested in more information and to apply to the Molecular Biosciences Program click here. Please refer to the information below for more information on the participating departments graduate program information. Please contact Stephanie Cunningham, director of the MB Program, for guidance and instructions at mbprogram@montana.edu or (406) 994-6652.
A six minute film with more information about the program
Molecular Biosciences Program The Molecular Biosciences Program offers an interdisciplinary program towards a Doctorate in Philosophy. You are able to pursue your science in a research area across departmental boundaries. Our integrated curriculum provides you with broad academic training necessary to excel in life science research. You will be able to participate in a first-year rotation in three different laboratories in your chosen research area.
Cell Biology and Neuroscience
The Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience offers exciting opportunities to work with nationally and internationally recognized faculty on a wide range of research topics, including neuroinformatics, developmental biology, cell biology, biophysics, and anatomy and physicology.
Chemical and Biological Engineering
The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering offers students the opportunity to do research in many different areas such as Biological Engineering, Material Science,
Magnetic Resonance Microscopy and Environmental Engineering.
Chemical Engineering (MS)
Environmental Engineering (MS)
3.0
Varies
550/50
None
Chemistry and Biochemistry
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers research-oriented programs culminating in the Doctor of Philosophy degree. The faculty have expertise over a broad range of specialty areas including analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. In each of these fields, the strength of MSU Chemistry and Biochemistry Department has been recognized at the international level.
Earth Sciences
The Department of Earth Sciences offer Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Earth Sciences with areas of specialization in Geography and Geology. Our requirements for acceptance into the graduate programs are slightly different for these two areas. Regardless of specialization, all diplomas will say Earth Sciences. We strongly recommend that prospective students learn about the research interests of the faculty and contact potential research advisors directly.
Ecology
The Ecology Department includes the Fish and Wildlife Management Program at Montana State University. The graduate degree programs provide opportunities for students to pursue M.S. and/or Ph.D. degrees in those disciplines under the guidance of our faculty. Graduate students may conduct research on a diversity of topics pertaining to their individual areas of interest.
Land Resources and Environmental Sciences
The Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences (LRES) provides science-based teaching, research/creative activity, and outreach/public service. Our role and scope is to generate and disseminate objective, scientifically-based knowledge about land resources and land use.
Microbiology
The Department of Microbiology offers both Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Microbiology. Interdisciplinary programs with strong ties to other departments and programs are encouraged.
Students interested in environmental sciences can satisfy the requirements for a degree in microbiology while pursuing a broadly based program in areas such as biology, chemistry, entomology, plant and soil sciences and plant pathology, and through interaction with the
Center for Biofilm Engineering.
Students interested in biomedical sciences can satisfy the requirements for a degree in microbiology while pursuing a broadly based program in medically related subjects
like biology, chemistry and veterinary science, and through interaction
with the WWAMI Medical Education Program.
Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology
The Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology is part of the College of Agriculture at Montana State University in Bozeman. An exciting feature of this department is the diversity of programs in Plant Biology, Crop Science, Plant Pathology, Horticulture, Mycology, Plant Genetics and Entomology. The department offers BS, MS, and Ph.D. degree programs with a current enrollment of 207 undergraduate and 25 graduate students. The department has state-of-the-art laboratory and plant-growth facilities. Student and faculty researchers have access to seven research centers distributed across the state of Montana.
Graduate students can choose advanced work for a Master of Science degree in either Plant Sciences or Plant Pathology, or a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Plant Sciences with options in either Plant Pathology or Plant Genetics.
Veterinary Molecular Biology
Veterinary Molecular Biology (VMB) is a unique research/academic unit within the Montana University System. Laboratories in the VMB investigate a variety of important pathogens (viral, bacterial, and protozoan) and address basic questions of molecular virology, immunology, functional genomics and animal development. It is the vision and goal of VMB programs to explore fundamental processes of pathogens and their interactions with the animal host such that new therapies may be developed. In this effort, researchers employ cutting-edge technology including functional genomics, animal transgenics, cell and molecular biology, and protein biochemistry to investigate the basic mechanisms of the pathogenesis of infectious disease.
MSU has developed program and support networks designed to serve our international student body. Here you will find links to admission information, and financial assistance all found on the Office of International Programs website
Prospective students have two options for admission to Montana State University to pursue their graduate degree in life science research. The Molecular Biosciences Program offers a first-year rotation to students as well as flexibility in your Program of Study. If you would like to learn more about this offering or apply, click here. Prospective students also have the option of pursuing a graduate degree through the traditional departmental graduate programs. You would apply to the department. See Individual departmental requirements.
The Molecular Biosciences Program application deadline is January 23, 2009 and no applications will be reviewed until that date. Remember, before your Molecular Biosciences Program graduate application can be reviewed for admission, all of the accompanying documents (a completed application, 3 reference letters, a copy of your official transcripts, a copy of your GRE scores, etc.) must be submitted.
To apply to the Molecular Biosciences Program, please click here. To apply to individual departments, please refer to the department's Web site to obtain instructions on how to apply. If you have questions, please contact Stephanie Cunningham, Director of the Molecular Biosciences program at mbprogram@montana.edu or (406) 994-6652 and she will walk you through the process.
Montana State University has many different opportunities for a graduate student to fund their education.
RA/TA benefits (tuition waivers)Departments offer tuition waivers for RA and TA positions. Inquire with the department in which you submit your application.
* EPSCoR Interdisciplinary Graduate Student Support Program The Montana State University NSF-EPSCoR program announces a unique opportunity for science and engineering faculty engaging in collaborative research projects to procure funding for new incoming PhD graduate students. NSF-EPSCoR will provide $22,000 towards the financial support of each graduate student.
* Center for Biofilm Engineering The Center for Biofilm Engineering list a large number of fellowship opportunities and scholarships on their web site.
* Internships Land Resources and Environmental Sciences
The LRES Internship program provides opportunities for students to gain experience in their professional field outside the classroom. Two to four credits are available per internship up to twelve maximum. This web site lists internship providers and is constantly updated with new opportunities. For other full-time and summer job opportunities see the LRES web site:Jobs & Internships
What is the MB Program? 
