Environmental Sciences

---

"Southwestern Montana is our lab."

-Dr. Rob Thomas, Professor of Geology

---

Click for more information:

• General Information about Environmental Science Degrees
• Environmental Science Faculty
• Cooperating Faculty
• Adjunct Faculty
• Department Manager

More Department Information...

General Information about
Environmental Science Degrees

The mission of the environmental sciences program is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the natural processes which create and shape our environment. Students will become informed, critical thinkers capable of scientifically evaluating complex issues involving the environment. Student development will occur through interdisciplinary, field-based research projects that have societal relevance.

Students interested in the environmental sciences have several degree options. The Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Sciences offers students course work in all the natural sciences with an emphasis in either biology, environmental geochemistry, geology, applied math or wildlands interpretation. Students interested in teaching can pursue either a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with majors in Biology, General Science, and Physical Science or pursue a single-major endorsement through the Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Sciences. A minor in earth science is also available.

The environmental sciences program offers a field-based approach that is unique in undergraduate education. Students will learn by working on "real-world" problems that result in data that have societal application. A required thesis or internship commonly provides students with job opportunities in industry, environmental organizations, and governmental agencies.

Graduates of the environmental sciences program can look forward to very good job prospects in the rapidly-growing environmental consulting fields. From resource management to environmental hazards characterization, graduates help society to manage the needs of a growing population. Our students can also pursue graduate degrees in biology, geochemistry, and geology, or in the growing fields of environmental law, community planning, or environmental advocacy.

Examples of possible positions for graduates:

• Environmental consultant or advocate
• Resource manager
• Explorationist
• Ecosystem manager
• Hydrologist
• Community planner
• Watershed manager
• Professional guide or naturalist

Examples of student internships:

• Riparian Management - United States Forest Service
• Noxious Weed Management - Montana Nature Conservancy
• Geochemical Research - Montana State University
• Engineering Geology - Bureau of Reclamation
• Geologic Research - Smithsonian Institution
• Lake water chemistry - Bureau of Reclamation
• Alpine lake monitoring - United States Forest Service
• Stream drainage characterization - Fish, Wildlife and Parks
• Fish Habitat Studies - United States Forest Service

Examples of student-faculty research:

• Depositional systems of the Dinwoody Formation - Cody Clark
• Water chemistry of Clark Canyon Reservoir - Ryan Hoerner
• Tree-ring studies in the Birch Creek drainage - Mary Jo Perry
• Extensional tectonism in southwestern Montana - Sherrie Landon
• Effects of cattle grazing on riparian systems in southwestern Montana - Blaine Hancock

Examples of departmental resources:

• Southwestern Montana
• Computer graphics lab
• Analytical Chemistry Lab
• Thin-section lab
• GPS/GIS Technology

Supplemental information about the Environmental Sciences department and its programs can be found by following the links at left.

Go to top

Environmental Science Faculty

Dr. Sheila M. Roberts, Chair
Associate Professor of Geology

• B.A., Montana State University, 1970
• M.S., University of Montana, 1982
• Ph.D., University of Calgary, 1996 (1995)

Dr. R. Steven Mock
Professor of Chemistry

• B.S., Manchester College, 1977
• Ph.D., Montana State University, 1989. (1991)

Dr. Richard Clark
Assistant Professor of Biology

• B.S., Utah State University, 1964
• M.S., University of Oregon, 1968
• Ph.D., Brigham Young University, 1975 (1997)

Dr. Andrea Easter-Pilcher
Associate Professor of Biology

• B.A., Bowdoin College, 1977
• M.Sc., University of Montana, 1987
• Ph.D., Montana State University, 1993 (1996)

Dr. John S. Kirkley
Professor of Biology

• B.A., Ohio Wesleyan University, 1975
• M.S., Utah State University, 1982
• Ph.D., Utah State University, 1985 (1985)

Dr. Robert C. Thomas
Professor of Geology

• A.A., Chabot Valley College, 1982
• B.A., Humboldt State University, 1985
• M.S., The University of Montana, 1987
• Ph.D., University of Washington, 1993 (1993)

Dr. Karl E. Ulrich
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Professor of Biology

• B.A., University of Minnesota, 1975
• M.S., Michigan State University, 1979
• Ph.D., Michigan State University, 1984. (1987)

Dr. Craig Zaspel
Professor of Physics

• B.S., University of Minnesota, 1969
• M.S., Montana State University, 1973
• Ph.D., Montana State University, 1975. (1984)

Go to top


Go to top

Adjunct Faculty

Dr. Marvin E. Kaufmann
Research Associate in Geology

• B.S., Franklin and Marshall College, 1955
• M.S., Northwestern University, 1957
• Ph.D., Princeton University, 1960.

Mr. Brian Pilcher
Adjunct Professor of Biology

• B.S., Oklahoma State University, 1976;
• M.S., Louisiana State University, 1981.

Go to top

Department Manager

Mr. Thomas G. Satterly
Department Manager

• B.S., University of Wyoming, 1989. (1995)

More Department Information...