Bachelor of Science [B.S] [Earth Science] From Montana State University

Geography OptionThe Geography Option offers students a liberal university education with an emphasis in geography. The Geography option provides a general education as well as the more specialized knowledge and skills necessary to pursue many career objectives. Geographers find professional opportunities in urban and land use planning as well as spatial analysis in the public and private sectors, analysis of regions, resource and environmental management, as well as the application of geographical skills in map making (cartography), remote sensing, and geographic information science (GIS). Geography also offers an outstanding background for more advanced education in environmental law, international business, resource planning, and other specialized graduate school opportunities. Students may enhance their employment opportunities with a Master's degree, or a Ph.D. if college teaching or advanced research positions are of interest.Geology OptionThe Geology Option is a degree program designed for students who are motivated to apply the principles of chemistry, physics and mathematics to the study of the Earth's surface and interior. There are outstanding opportunities for employment in the public and private sectors in fields such as petroleum geology, mining geology, seismology (including earthquake and volcanic risk assessment), hydrology (surface and ground water) natural-hazard geology, environmental clean-up and containment of environmental hazards, mitigation of future environmental problems related to development, preservation of water resources (both surface and ground water), and the study of the processes of climate change and global warming. The optimal degree for employment and advancement in the geological sciences in the private sector is the Master's Degree, and the undergraduate Geology Option is an excellent preparatory degree for graduate study. Some students interested in college teaching or advanced research may require a Ph.D. degree.In the Geology Option, students are given the opportunity to learn in the world-class natural laboratory that surrounds Bozeman. Course work progresses from core courses that all students must take (Earth System Science, Topics in Earth Science, Earth History and Evolution, Earth Materials, Weather and Climate, Geomorphology, Mineralogy, Sedimentation and Stratigraphy, Structural Geology, Global Tectonics, Sedimentary Petrology, two geographic information science (GIS) courses, and Field Geology (a summer capstone course). Also included are a variety of elective courses in geology, paleontology, hydrology, and remote sensing. These courses prepare the student for a variety of jobs and/or graduate school.
GIS/Planning OptionThe GIS (Geographic Information Science)/Planning Option in the Department of Earth Sciences is designed to offer students a mix of technical skills and academic training that prepares them for careers in local, state, and federal planning as well as opportunities in private consulting firms that are involved in the planning process. The GIS/Planning Option recognizes the growing importance of Geographic Information Systems and Science in our society and how these analytic tools are applied in a wide variety of settings. The GIS/Planning Option takes advantage of excellent GIS facilities, lab space, expertise, and software available on campus and allows students to learn in an active hands-on environment. Students are prepared as map makers (cartographers) spatial analysts, and planners. The Department of Earth Sciences has connections with various local, state, and federal planning agencies within Montana and throughout the West. As part of their training, students may also be able to take advantage of internship opportunities as a way to further prepare for a wide variety of professional careers within the fields of planning and resource management.
Paleontology OptionThe paleontology option focuses on understanding fossils within their geologic context, while Montana's geology provides the opportunity for hands-on fieldwork. The paleontology option in the Department of Earth Sciences is designed for those students who have a strong interest in either invertebrate or vertebrate fossils (evolution, biology of ancient organisms, the environment in which the organism lived, and the changes the fossil has undergone since death). Students who study paleontology find employment with colleges and universities (e.g., teaching paleontology, earth sciences, comparative anatomy), natural history museums (e.g. fossil preparation, collection, curation, exhibit design, education), as scientific illustrators, writers, paleontology consultants for energy resource companies, and resource specialists for local, state, and federal land-management agencies or parks. Because students who study this option are trained in core geology courses, employment may be found in areas outside paleontology that require geologic expertise.
Snow science optionIn the Snow Science Option, students progress through a broad-based core of courses that includes introductory geology and geography, calculus, chemistry, physics, weather and climate, geomorphology, glacial geology, and mountain geography. In addition to the core of snow science courses, students focus on snow geography, snow mechanics, or snow statistics. Snow geography examines spatial analysis of factors important to snow distribution, snow hydrology, snow melt, and the analysis of factors which influence the spatial distribution of snow or snow avalanche factors. Snow mechanics prepares the student to study the mechanics of snow as it relates to transportation, avalanche release, and the impact of snow on buildings (loading and avalanche impact forces), as well as snow metamorphism and snow strength. The snow statistics emphasis prepares the student to apply statistical techniques to questions about spatial and temporal variability of snow properties such as strength, depth, grain size, grain type, water content, and fracture initiation. The capstone course is snow dynamics and accumulation. Students are strongly encouraged to consider a graduate degree in snow science to prepare for professional jobs, but such training is not always required.