Centers of Excellence
Do you have an investigative mind?
Do you exhibit strong organizational and complex problem-solving skills?
Are you eager to launch a career in Montana’s robust bioscience industry?
Whether you’re looking to enroll in an exciting bioscience program close to home, or you want to find more opportunities to conduct research, our guide to centers of excellence across the state can help you get started on your journey.
Where Can I Study Bioscience in Montana?
Montana State University
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Montana State University (MSU) is a public land-grant research university in Bozeman and is Montana’s largest university. MSU offers baccalaureate degrees in 60 fields, master's degrees in 68 fields, and doctoral degrees in 35 fields through its nine colleges. In 2022, MSU was once again designated as an R1 university for its intensive research activity. MSU reported reported to the National Science Foundation that research activities accounted for roughly $201 million during the fiscal year that ended in June 2022. That figure marks a 4% increase over last year’s total and the first time in Montana history that such expenditures at an institution of higher education have topped $200 million.
The Animal Resource Center at Montana State University uses its expertise to provide the highest standard of care for laboratory animals in support of MSU. The center’s commitment fosters a culture of excellence and compassion for animal welfare in the conduct of research and teaching at MSU.
Contact:arc@montana.edu
Big Sky Carbon Sequestration Partnership
The Big Sky Carbon Sequestration Partnership (BSCSP) is based at Montana State University’s Energy Research Institute. The partnership is supported through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as one of seven regional carbon sequestration partnerships in the country. BSCSP collaborates with key stakeholders in the identification, development, and monitoring of viable and safe approaches for storing regional carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The BSCSP region encompasses Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, South Dakota, eastern Washington, and Oregon. The overall purpose of DOE’s Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership program is to develop a collaborative research network to help develop the technology, infrastructure, and regulations needed to implement large-scale carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and storage opportunities across the country.
Contact:energy@montana.edu
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Montana State’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering specializes in research in energy, biological and biochemical engineering, imaging and simulation, microfluidics, biomass conversion and materials engineering. Research centers include the Center for Biofilm Engineering, the Thermal Biology Institute.
Contact:Abby Richards, Department Head, arichards@montana.edu
Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology
In the Bioengineering program at Montana State, graduate students further their understanding of topics related to biofilms, biochemical transformation and bioengineering to build professional skills and knowledge in the medical and energy system sectors. By earning a Master of Engineering degree, candidates further their understanding of new subjects in the biological engineering field alongside award-winning faculty who are recognized leaders in their areas of expertise. The Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering hosts a variety of cutting-edge research projects, including a cross-departmental project led by assistant professor Connie Chang to explore a faster and less costly testing method for COVID-19, which could ultimately improve access to and speed of testing for the disease.
Contact:Jovanka Voyich, PhD, Department Head, jovanka@montana.edu
Center for Biofilm Engineering
Montana State University's Center for Biofilm Engineering has been a world leader in biofilm research for over 30 years. A prestigious 11-year National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center grant awarded in 1990 paved the way for the CBE's influence in the emerging field of biofilm research. The Center's three-fold emphasis in research, education, and industry continues to produce results and exciting opportunities for students, staff, and faculty—as well as industrial partners. The mission of the Center for Biofilm Engineering is to advance the frontiers of health, energy, industry, and the environment through biofilm research, education, and outreach.
Contact:Sarah Huth, Program Coordinator, cbeinfo@montana.edu
Center for BioInspired Materials
The Center for Bio-Inspired Nanomaterials at MSU is a multidisciplinary research and education center focused on utilizing our fundamental understanding of the formation and hierarchical construction of biological materials such as viruses, cells, and biominerals (bones, teeth, seashells, etc.). One extension of this fundamental work is the utilization of biological macromolecular assemblies as templates for the construction of novel functional nanomaterials. However, the goal of the center is to encompass the study of the wide range of materials, beyond those of biological origin, to achieve unique physical properties by design.
Contact:Diane Dorgan, Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs Manager, dorgan@montana.edu
College of Education, Health and Human Development
MSU’s health and human development department offers programs, including the only accredited program of study for aspiring registered dietitians in Montana, as well as programs in exercise science, community health, family & consumer sciences, early childhood education/child services, health enhancement K-12, sustainable food systems and hospitality management.
Contact:Dr. Tricia Seifert, Dean, ehhddean@montana.edu
College of Nursing Office of Research
The College of Nursing is a national leader in rural nursing research and is responsive to the evolving health needs of the people of Montana and the nation. Rural health research with community partners is the focus of inquiry at the College of Nursing (CON) at MSU. Faculty work hand in hand with community partners within and beyond Montana on studies that encompass complex health issues. Rigorous research on the nursing workforce and nursing education complements these partnerships, enrich the curriculum, and provide real change in national health policy.
Contact: Sarah Shannon, Dean, nursing@montana.edu
Functional Genomics Core Facility
Located in 308 Cooley Lab on the Montana State University campus, the Functional Genomics Core Facility was established with funds provided by the National Science Foundation and the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, with ongoing salary support from Montana INBRE. The Functional Genomics Core Facility provides support to academic investigators throughout Montana and the Rocky Mountain west, through instrumentation, applications, and services.
Contact:Carl Yeoman, Bioninformatics and Biostatistics Core Director, carl.yeoman@montana.edu
Image and Chemical Analysis Laboratory
Montana State University’s Image and Chemical Analysis Laboratory (ICAL) is a user-oriented facility that supports basic and applied research and education in all science and engineering disciplines at MSU. The laboratory provides access to state-of-the-art equipment, professional expertise, and individual training to government and academic institutions and the private sector. The laboratory instrumentation in ICAL is dedicated to the characterization of materials via high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy. ICAL promotes interdisciplinary collaboration between the research, educational and industrial fields.
Contact:ical@sympa.montana.edu
Montana Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES)
Through a network of seven Research Centers plus facilities and scientists at the MSU central campus in Bozeman, we conduct basic and applied research problems that address Montana’s agricultural and natural resource economies. MAES research spans the depth and breadth of animal health, animal science, agronomy, horticulture, range sciences, agricultural economics, plant sciences and natural resource and pest management. We are the research and development agency for more than 28,000 Montana farmers and ranchers.
Contact:Dr. Sreekala Bajwa, Vice President, Dean, and Director, agdean@montana.edu
Montana Microfabrication Facility
The Montana Microfabrication Facility (MMF) is an open-access micro and nanofabrication facility located at Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman. The MMF, the Center for Biofilm Engineering (CBE), the Imaging and Chemical Analysis Laboratory (ICAL), and the Proteomics, Metabolomics and Mass Spectroscopy Facility (Mass Spec Lab), make up the MontanaNanotechnology Facility (MONT), a National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) site. The MMF offers a range of processing and packaging capabilities, including photo and electron beam lithography, wet and dry etching, sputter deposition, thermal and electron beam evaporation, chemical vapor deposition, metrology, and inspection.
Contact:Dr. David Dickensheets, Facility Director, davidd@montana.edu
Montana Office of Rural Health
Established in 1991 by Governors’ designation and start-up support from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, the Montana Office of Rural Health (MORH) is a partnership between the US Federal Government, the State of Montana, and Montana State University. MORH works with federal, state, and local partners to offer services and resources to rural healthcare providers, facilities and communities. The MORH is proud to collaborate with various organizations, health departments, hospitals, government, and academia. MORH is committed to provide rural health leadership for the state’s diverse and inclusive statewide constituency of stakeholders.
Contact:Natalie Claiborne, Assistant Director of Montana Office of Rural Health, natalie.claiborne@montana.edu
Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
The Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK) is part of the Northwest Region of the USGS. Scientists from the Center work in the northern Rocky Mountains of the United States and across the U.S. Many of our scientists work throughout the world on issues as diverse as global climate change, aquatic ecology, wildlife diseases, bison ecology, and large carnivores.
Contact:Call +1-(888)-392-8545 or visit https://answers.usgs.gov/
Partnership for International Research and Education
The U.S. National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports science and engineering in all 50 states and U.S. territories. NSF was established in 1950 by Congress to promote the progress of science, advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare, and secure the national defense. NSF fulfills its mission chiefly by making grants. NSF investments account for about 25% of federal support to America's colleges and universities for basic research: research driven by curiosity and discovery. NSF also supports solutions-oriented research with the potential to produce advancements for the American people.
Contact:info@nsf.gov
The Plant Growth Center at Montana State University consists of a variety of facilities such as greenhouses, growth chambers, growth rooms, plant pathology isolation units and quarantine facilities. The College of Agriculture at Montana State University strives to create environments where students, faculty, staff and stakeholders benefit from innovative learning, discovery and outreach programs in agriculture and natural resources.
Contact:Dr. Sreekala Bajwa , Vice President, Dean, and Director, agdean@montana.edu
Members of the Pollinator Health Center at Montana State University carry out research that aims to improve pollinator health and mitigate pollinator losses and engage with learners of all ages at numerous educational outreach events.
Contact:Michelle Flenniken, Co-Director, Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Associate Professor, Ph.D., michelle.flenniken@montana.edu
The Science Math Resource Center (SMRC) is devoted to the advancement of science and mathematics teaching and learning. We provide professional development for a new generation of K-12 educators of tribal, rural, and urban communities; conduct educational research; and coordinate the statewide annual Science Olympiad that is held at Montana State University in Bozeman.
Contact:Call (406)-994-7476
The Molecular Biosciences Program
The Molecular Biosciences Program at Montana State operates as an interdisciplinary research opportunity that concludes in fellows earning a Ph.D. During their first year, candidates rotate through three different laboratories within their chosen area of interest. After these rotations, Molecular Biosciences fellows will then choose a dissertation advisor and be formally admitted to the department of their choice to begin their research. As a competitive research opportunity, the Molecular Biosciences Program offers tuition waivers for five years of graduate school, as well as a stipend to decrease the burden of searching for research funding. Molecular Biosciences fellow George Schaible was one of only 34 graduate students in the United States to receive the Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology award (FINESST). The $133,000 funding will support three years of Schaible exploring multicellular magnetotactic bacteria, the only known kind of bacteria to be composed of multiple cells throughout its entire life cycle.
Contact:Frank Stewart, MBS Faculty Committee, frank.stewart@montana.edu
Established in 1999, the Thermal Biology Institute is a multidisciplinary team of scientists forging a new path in scientific discovery focused on the unique thermal environments within Yellowstone National Park. TBI is currently composed of fifteen faculty representing expertise in biochemistry, geochemistry, microbiology, virology, mycology, ecology, plant physiology, and environmental physics. In addition to an emphasis on multidisciplinary research, TBI promotes interdisciplinary learning through a strong educational component that incorporates undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral training.
Contact:tbi@montana.edu
University of Montana
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The University of Montana (UM) is a public research university in Missoula, Montana. UM is a flagship institution of the Montana University System and its second-largest campus. During the fall 2022 census the University of Montana reported 9,955 total student enrollments. For the fiscal year 2021, which runs from July to June, UM reported $138 million in research awards. This sizeable increase is 38% larger than the previous year’s record-breaking research intake. In addition, UM ranked sixth in the nation for “Research Growth” and is also a Carnegie R1 Very High Research Activity Institution.
Center for Biomolecular Structures & Dynamics
The work of the CBSD is supported by the National Institutes of General Medical Science IdeA program, as a Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (CoBRE). Together with institutional funds and indirect cost returns generated by faculty who submit research grants through the Center, the CoBRE award supports the research of Project Investigators and provides startup funds for new faculty in UM basic and biomedical sciences departments who join the CBSD. CoBRE funds also support Pilot Projects to jump-start innovative research programs to help investigators realize future extramural funding. CBSD institutional funds provide support for students in the Biochemistry and Biophysics Graduate program. A future CBSD initiative will provide Teaching and Research Assistantships to promote inter-program collaboration at UM.
Contact: Bruce Bowler, Director, CBSD@mso.umt.edu
Steve Sprang, Associate Director CBSD@mso.umt.edu
Center for Children, Families, and Workforce Development
The Center for Children, Families, and Workforce Development works to improve the mental, physical and emotional health of Montanans through three priority areas: workforce development and training, research and evaluation, and capacity building and technical assistance. The Center partners with agencies, non-profits, community partners, professionals, scholars, parents, and youth on transformative, system-changing projects that increase practice effectiveness. Additionally, the Center includes more than 30 staff with diverse subject-matter expertise, and its success is built on a set of core values that guide its daily interactions and defines the relationships the Center develops with its statewide partners.
Contact: Kate Chapin, Executive Director, Kate.Chapin@mso.umt.edu
Center for Environmental Health Sciences
The primary research mission of the Center for Environmental Health Sciences is to advance knowledge of environmental impacts on human health. The Center brings together a critical mass of researchers to investigate mechanisms of pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, immune and autoimmune disorders, developmental defects, neurodegenerative diseases, genetic susceptibility, and the impacts that environmental factors have in causing or exacerbating these conditions. These studies will lead to new or better treatments, improved assessment of the actual risks caused by exposure to environmental agents, and more effective methods to detect and reduce the adverse health impacts of these agents on human health.
Contact: cehs@mso.umt.edu
Center for Population Health Research
The Center for Population Health Research (CPHR) fosters multidisciplinary research success to inform, develop and test strategies for improving health across the lifespan. The CPHR is designed to support researchers in advancing from state-of-the-art epidemiological and modeling CPHR projects to extramurally-funded intervention research that is informed and developed through CPHR support. To develop a critical mass of investigators in support of the CPHR mission, the Center brings together faculty engaged in human health research from a variety of disciplines, including epidemiology, mathematical sciences, exposure science, health economics and social and behavioral research. In addition to administrative, grant development, and mentoring support for early career investigators, CPHR provides two research support cores. The Data and Modeling Core provides researchers with access to sensitive and geospatially precise electronic health records data, biostatistical and geospatial modeling support, and access to a high-performance computing. The Intervention Support Core provides CPHR researchers with survey and qualitative methods support to inform rural and stakeholder informed interventions.
Contact: cphr@umontana.edu
Center for Structural and Functional Neuroscience
Originally established in 2000 as an NIH-funded Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE), and recognized by the Montana Board of Regents in 2002, the Center continues to maintain a strong focus on basic neuroscience research at the chemical, biophysical, molecular and cellular levels. With the continued growth of Neuroscience at University of Montana, the focus of the CSFN has similarly evolved to now include exciting basic and translational projects in behavioral, cognitive and computational neuroscience. Faculty affiliated with the Center come from a wide spectrum of academic units across campus (e.g., Biological Sciences, Psychology, Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Physical Therapy, Communication Science Disorders, Mathematical Sciences, and Computer Science). In addition to the UM neuroscientists, affiliated investigators are also located at the McLaughlin Research Institute in Great Falls and at Montana State University in Bozeman.
Contact: Program Director, Kasper Hansen neuro@umontana.edu
Center for Translational Medicine
The purpose of the Center for Translational Medicine at the University of Montana is to establish a cross-department and -college multi-disciplinary research center to assist faculty, staff, and students in the translation of research ideas from bench to bedside. In this respect, translational research provides an avenue through which basic science discoveries in the biomedical sciences can be "translated" into applicable therapeutics, diagnostics, and/or processes that directly impact health care. In many instances the products/intellectual property of translational research can also be commercialized to the benefit of the University and the regional economy. The Center will work across the Montana University System (MUS) to facilitate the ability of University researchers to better advance the clinical and/or commercial potential of their basic science discoveries. The Center will promote the expansion of educational programs in translational medicine and career development opportunities in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. The Center seeks to strengthen and expand entrepreneurial programs at the University and build a new community to meet challenges and adapt to the changing healthcare/biotech employment and research funding landscape. This new culture and community will prepare students for a career in the biotechnology or health care industry and open doors to new sources of revenue in support of translational research and education in the MUS.
Contact: Jay Evans, Program Director, jay.evans@umontana.edu
The University of Montana’s Clinical Psychology Center is a training clinic, staffed by doctoral students in Clinical Psychology and School Psychology. Although the CPC is located on the University of Montana campus, the CPC serves the entire Missoula community, and its services are provided by student clinicians under direct supervision of senior clinicians from the Department of Psychology faculty. Student clinicians carry small caseloads (typically 3-5 clients) so that they can be closely supervised and provide optimal care. The clinic facilities include private counseling/consultation rooms, observation rooms, a group services room, and seminar rooms.
Contact: CPCFrontDesk@umt.edu
Institute of Medicine and Humanities
The Institute of Health and Humanities [IHH] fosters the human dimensions of health, well-being, and healthcare. Founded in 1987 as a joint program between the University of Montana and St. Patrick Hospital, the program formerly operated as the "Institute for Medicine and Humanities." Since inception, it has employed both the traditional humanities and the fine arts to illuminate and understand major issues that confront healthcare in contemporary society. The name change reflects an expanded focus to include population and community health, individual well-being, and recognition of the importance of all healthcare providers in the provision of care. IHH is currently sponsored by the University of Montana. In addition to sponsoring events and educational activities, IHH's Ridge Endowment promotes scholarship and sponsors the Ridge Library Collection.
Contact: Amy Ratto Parks, Program Director, Amy.Ratto-Parks@mso.umt.edu
The Montana Biotechnology Center (BIOTECH) has recently transitioned to new leadership with Dr. Monica Serban as Director and Ms. Heidi Boggs as Associate Director. BIOTECH is now focused on connecting students, entrepreneurs, scientists, and clinicians to enhance our local and regional biotechnology capabilities. The mission of BIOTECH is to enable local and regional biotechnology-focused workforce development through educational activities and research targeting the development of biomedical products, specifically therapeutics and medical devices, intended primarily for resource-limited settings such as the military in combat areas and/or rural settings. Through its initiatives, BIOTECH currently seeks to establish a Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Program (BP2) at both undergraduate and graduate level to provide communication, teamwork, project management and leadership skills, hands-on training on state-of-the-art equipment, and direct participation in ideation, prototyping and innovation challenges initiated by biotechnology companies and/or innovation forums.
Contact: Monica Serban, PhD, Director, monica.serban@umontana.edu
MT Center for Work Physiology and Exercise Metabolism
Within the School of Integrative Physiology and Athletic Training at the University of Montana there are a variety of labs and centers which focus on various detentions of health and human movement to enhance longevity and quality of life.
Contact: ipat@umontana.edu
National Native Children's Trauma Center
As a Category II Treatment and Service Adaptation Center within the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, the National Native Children’s Trauma Center’s focus is on increasing service providers' ability to respond to the trauma-related needs of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children and youth in culturally appropriate ways. The National Native Children’s Trauma Center provides training in evidence-based and promising practices as well as technical assistance in trauma-informed systems change across all tribal child-serving systems, including schools, behavioral health providers, child welfare agencies, and juvenile justice systems. The Center also assists in the cultural adaptation of evidence-based and promising practices and develop products and practices intended for use in Native communities.
Contact: maegan.ridesatthedoor@mso.umt.edu
The mission of the Neural Injury Center is to provide screening and clinical services to student veterans, athletes, and others with brain or spinal cord injuries that may be interfering with their education and assimilation into the community. The Center also conducts collaborative scientific research focused on brain injury and other neural injuries to transform laboratory discoveries into new therapies, and provides education related to neural injury for patients, families, clinicians, and the public. A special focus of the Center is to support student veterans and their families.
Contact: umontana.nic@umontana.edu
Research and Creative Scholarship Office
UM's Office of Research and Creative Scholarship supports research-driven student success through fostering an environment where research, scholarly activities, entrepreneurship, and economic development thrive.
Contact: Scott Whittenburg, Vice President, Research and Creative Scholarship, vpr@umontana.edu
Zach Scott, Director, Research Compliance and Technology Transfer, zach.scott@umontana.edu
Rural Institute: A Center for Excellence on Disabilities
The Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities partners with advocates and communities to serve, train, research, develop and evaluate services that improve the quality of life of people with disabilities. Additionally, the Rural Institute is one of 67 University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) in the United States. Each state has at least one UCEDD, and the Rural Institute is Montana’s UCEDD.
Contact: rural@ruralinstitute.umt.edu
Skaggs Institute for Health Innovation
The L.S. Skaggs Institute for Health Innovation (SIHI) consists of three components: rural health outreach, opportunities for interprofessional telehealth education, and implementation of precision medicine innovations. Each objective provides the potential for integration of direct service for patients, experiential learning opportunities for students, technology-enabled educational opportunities, research opportunities in precision medicine, and support for healthcare professionals and institutions across Montana. SIHI builds upon the success of existing programs in the Skaggs School of Pharmacy, namely Improving Health Among Rural Montanans (IPHARM), IPHARM Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Center, and Precision Medicine Project (PMP).
Contact: sihi@umontana.edu
Alternative Montana Schools for Life Sciences
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The University of Montana Bitterroot College connects a diverse rural community to a wide array of learning opportunities. Bitterroot College achieves student success, lifelong learning, and community engagement through respoBitterroot College - Hamiltonnsive and accessible academics, workforce preparation, and enrichment programming.
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A commitment to excellence is foundational to learning at Carroll. As an academically prestigious institution, Carroll demands the best from its students and upholds the dual goal of vocation and enlightenment. Students are challenged to pursue universal knowledge, not merely information or skills. The College instills an enduring wonder for knowledge that prepares students for leadership in a chosen profession, while simultaneously encouraging and expecting an integration of knowledge through broad formation in a variety of academic disciplines.
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Flathead Valley Community College promotes excellence in lifelong learning, focused on student success and community needs. FVCC was established in 1967 as a result of collaborative efforts by local citizens supporting area students and employers by providing higher education without leaving the valley.
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Gallatin College MSU is Southwest Montana’s two-year college, offering two-year associate degrees and one-year professional certificates. Gallatin College complements the four-year programs at Montana State University and ensures access to workforce development that promotes a vibrant local economy. To enhance educational opportunity, Gallatin College offers professional workforce programs, transfer programs, developmental coursework, and dual enrollment options.
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Great Falls College MSU provides high quality educational experiences supporting student success to meet the needs of our community. Established in 1969 along with other vocational centers throughout the state, Great Falls has since grown to offer degrees and certificates that range from business to education to trade.
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Providing opportunities and support of lifelong educational goals, Helena College University of Montana is a public 2-year college that promotes excellence in education and cultivates a culture and environment of fellowship, inclusiveness, and respect in a diverse community of learners.
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Highlands College is home to all Montana Tech career-ready and transfer programs that help build the workforce we need to better lives in Butte and throughout Montana. You can complete a degree designed to help you enter the workforce immediately or earn credits for transfer into a four-year program. Regardless of your motivation, you’ll benefit from focused, skills-based instruction with profession-tested faculty, dedicated and helpful staff, and exceptionally affordable tuition.
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As Montana's first community college, Miles Community College prepares students for success and provides opportunities for lifelong learning. Through quality programs, community outreach, and partnerships throughout the region, Miles Community College is able to offer quality transfer programs as well as online and professional degrees that prepare you for the workforce as soon as you graduate.
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Missoula College, the two-year unit of the University of Montana, provides outstanding occupational and technical education covering 40 programs. Areas of study include business and health care professions, applied computing and electronics, and energy and industrial technologies. An Associate of Arts general education program is also available to students desiring a transfer degree for a baccalaureate degree program. Most programs begin in the fall with some programs offering spring entry. Workforce development programs are also offered through the college’s outreach department.
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Nestled below the rimrocks, Montana State University Billings delivers a transformative education. Whether you are a traditional college student exploring your future or an adult learner looking to take the next step in your career, MSU Billings can help you succeed. Located in the largest city in Montana, MSU Billings and the city of Billings combine for a unique college experience: engaged and encouraging faculty, friendly people, a supportive community, and incredible educational and professional opportunities.
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Located in beautiful Butte, Montana Tech offers a top education as a leading STEM university. Here, you’ll find strong additional programs in nursing, health, and professional fields. Montana Tech’s tight-knit talented community of determined doers collaborates on discoveries that improve lives. And in changing the world, Montana Tech students realize their own potential, fuel their passion, and find their path.
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Rocky Mountain College offers a wide variety of programs, including undergraduate, pre-professional, and graduate study options with a number of majors, minors, and concentrations. RMC’s undergraduate core curriculum (general education study) is founded in a strong liberal arts tradition that encourages students to develop skills in leadership, communication, critical thinking, creative expression, and professional excellence.
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Rocky Vista University (RVU) is a health-sciences institution of higher learning spanning three states: Colorado, Utah, and Montana. Each campus is equipped with a simulation center, standardized patient rooms, expansive active learning classrooms, a full gross anatomy cadaver lab, a research lab, a large library, and many study spaces throughout the buildings. RVU takes pride in its experienced and talented administration, faculty, and staff, as well as its exceptional student body. A strong sense of community is evident at RVU.
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The Life Sciences program at SKC offers two- and four-year degrees in General and Life Sciences that are designed to teach students about how molecules interact within living cells, through the study of molecular and cellular biology and chemistry. Active, hands-on research experience is an integral part of the Life Sciences program. This program offers competitive, paid laboratory internships, as well as academic credit for working in SKC's two research laboratories: The Environmental Health & Chemistry Laboratory, and the Cellular & Molecular Biology Laboratory.
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At TouroCOM, technological innovation meets social responsibility, and a cutting-edge curriculum goes hand in hand with community outreach. Since its opening in 2007, the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine has been attracting students and training physicians who are committed to helping patients and the medical profession. TouroCOM is equally committed to working to correct diversity disparities in the health care delivery system, so physicians can best meet patient needs.
Innovation Campus
The MSU Innovation Campus is Bozeman, Montana’s premier commercial development offering exciting new opportunities for partners to invest and build in a highly creative and entrepreneurial environment. By establishing collaborative programs between institutions and the private sector, the MSU Innovation Campus will amplify research, commercialize new technologies, and catalyze Montana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Mountains & Plains Innovation Alliance
As a newly forged alliance among 13 colleges and universities in five contiguous northern plains and rocky mountain states, the Mountains and Plains University Innovation Alliance seeks to attract once-in-a-generation federal investments to the region by coordinating state and university investments in research, training, and business development. Research-focused colleges and universities in Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming will leverage existing research, education, and training programs to boost their collective ability to support the expansion of high-tech innovation and industry in the region.
Tech Transfer
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The Technology Transfer Office (TTO) works to commercialize the inventions of MSU faculty, spur entrepreneurship based on MSU technology, and provide a gateway for industry looking to utilize MSU resources. The benefits of technologMontana State University – Bozemany transfer accrue to faculty, MSU centers, departments and colleges, as well as local and national corporations.
Contact: Daniel Juliano, Director, daniel.juliano@montana.edu
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The UM Office of Technology Transfer (UMTTO) supports the commercialization of intellectual property developed at UM through management of its intellectual property portfolio and cultivation of partnerships with new or established private companies. The clinic student will have the opportunity to draft intellectual property agreements, licenses, material transfer agreements, and non-disclosure agreements; participate in securing, perfecting, and maintaining trademark, copyright and patent rights; advise the University, faculty and staff on UM’s intellectual property rights policies, advise the best course of IP protection, and draft new UMTTO policies. The UMTTO clinic enjoys a close relationship with the UM Legal Counsel clinic; students will have the opportunity to participate in weekly roundtable discussions and work on UMLC projects.
Contact: Zach Scott, Director, Research Compliance and Technology Transfer, zach.scott@umontana.edu
Do you have a helpful resource you’d like to suggest we add to this guide? Do you have information you are searching for, or other feedback? The Montana High Tech Business Alliance would love to hear from you. Please reach out to us at communications[at]mthightech.org.