Outstanding scenic and recreational areas such as Yellowstone, Teton and Glacier National Parks, Bridger Bowl, Big Sky and Jackson Hole ski areas are nearby. The Department of Entomology offers the only educational programs in entomology in Montana, with graduate degrees and a variety of classes covering the many aspects of entomology. The Department of Entomology offers a degree program leading to the Master's of Science in Entomology . The goal of the graduate program is to provide broad knowledge of entomology with expertise in specialized program areas. Requirements and expectations for this degree are spelled out in the Department's Graduate Handbook .
Postdoctoral opportunities are also available.
The faculty participates in the interdisciplinary degree programs of the Mountain Research Center and advises students for the Ph.D. in Biology and Crop and Soil Science . Studies also include plant taxonomy and the role of allelopathy and competition in the ecology of plant communities. Research includes insect-host interactions, host plant resistance, economic injury levels, and control techniques. Included are detection, survey, and mapping of important pests, pesticide applicator certification, development of expert systems and diagnostic pest identification. Strongly directed toward behavioral ecology and ethology of insects with particular reference to sexual selection, foraging strategies, habitat selection, and thermoregulation.