Biology at Montana Tech is a gateway to expansive possibilities in medicine, veterinary medicine, wildlife biology or graduate school.
The Department of Biological Sciences at Montana Tech aims to provide a quality education through close student-faculty interaction any by involving students with research opportunities. This includes appropriate advising, the use of traditional and innovative classroom techniques and ample laboratory and research experience.
The mission of the biological sciences program is to provide a quality education in biological sciences through close student-faculty interaction any by involving students with research opportunities. Although the field of biology is expansive, and everything it encompasses cannot be taught, students will learn the process of seeking knowledge from traditional and innovative classroom techniques, ample laboratory and research experience, and appropriate advising.
The Biological Science Department also endeavors to carry out its service responsibilities with high quality, up-to-date biology courses whose credits can be transferred both within and outside of the University of Montana and the Montana University System. In addition to its general service functions, the department specifically services the College of Technology’s nursing program and the Environmental Engineering program on the North Campus.
The Department of Biological Sciences administers two degree programs, the Bachelor of Applied Sciences degree (BAS) with an emphasis in Biological Sciences, and the Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Sciences. The purpose of the BAS is to allow students with an Associate of Applied Science degree to earn a four-year degree with a minimum of additional college work. The BS degree prepares students for graduate and professional schools. With it, students may be employed as technicians in various biological science disciplines.
Construction of the Chemistry and Metallurgy Building began in 1920. This was the fifth building to be added to the School of Mines campus. Construction was halted mid-project due to a court challenging of the bond issue used to fund construction.
A workers strike halted all construction for five months. After the strike was settled, the second floor slab collapsed. Estimated damage costs were $6,000 and clean-up lasted six weeks. The building was finally completed in September, 1923.
In the late 1990’s Montana Tech received a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) with significant help from the Montana congressional delegation (lead by then Senator Conrad Burns) to renovate the building. While the façade of the building remains intact, the entire building was gutted and rebuilt. Students and faculty worked together in designing the renovation, making this building specifically designed for teaching science. From state-of-the-art lecture halls and research facilities to working labs, the building has become the centerpiece of Montana Tech’s growing Natural Sciences Research and Educational programs. The offices for faculty in Biology, Chemistry and Health Care Informatics (HCI) are housed within the Chemistry Biology Building.
