• What is the MB Program?
• Five reasons why you should chose MSU for a graduate program in Life Sciences
• On-line Orientation
• Information on individual Degree programs, departments and centers
• International Student information
• Admissions
• Financing Graduate School
• Graduate Student Employment
• MSU Resources for Graduate Students
• Graduate Catalog
• Information Request Form
• Application
  

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What is the MB Program?

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. 

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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"
in September 2003 and #4 ski town by Skiing Magazine in 2004.

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.

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On-line Orientation

• Welcome from the chair of the program
• Diversity
• International Students
• Professional Development (seminars, events, & forums)

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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.eduor (406) 994-6652.

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.

Application and Information web site

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.

Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience web site
Applicant Requirements

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.

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering web site
Applicant Requirements

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.

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry web site
Applicant Requirements

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.

Department of Earth Sciences web site
Applicant Requirements

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.

Ecology web site
Applicant Requirements

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.

Land Resources and Environmental Sciences web site
Applicant Requirements

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.
     
Microbiology web site
Applicant Requirements

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.

Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology web site
Applicants Requirements

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.

Veterinary Molecular Biology web site
Applicants Requirements

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International Student information

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

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Admissions

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. The Molecular Biosciences Program application deadline is January 25, 2008 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. How to Apply

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.

Molecular Biosciences Program Application & Instructions

Additional Requirements for International Students A minimum TOEFL score of 550/paper or 213 computer (or higher as required by specific departments) is required of all international applicants. Refer to the Office of International Programs for more resources and information.

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Financing Graduate School

Fellowships

* INBRE Graduate Fellowship in Biomedical Sciences Students do not apply for these directly but should inquire with their department of study.

* 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.

Scholarships

* The Mildred Livingston Grant Memorial Presidential Graduate Scholarship   

* Foundation Graduate Achievement Awards

* 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

Graduate Student Employment

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MSU Resources for Graduate Students
(Additional information the student would find useful before coming to MSU).

• Adult Re-Entry
• Banking on campus - First Interstate Bank is available for students,
  faculty and staff in the Strand Union Building.
• Bookstore
• Bus service
• Campus Tour
• Child Care
• Computing Services
• Copy Center
• Counseling
• Health Services
• Housing
• Identification cards
• Libraries
• Parking
• Student Recreation

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Graduate Catalog - Division of Graduate Education on-line catalog

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Information Request Form