Program Overview

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Snow Science Program

The Snow Science program at Montana State University provides students with a foundational understanding of the subject matter core to the discipline of snow science. Students focus on either snow mechanics or snow biology and geographic information systems.

Program Description

At Montana State, students in the Snow Science track have one of the best laboratories in the nation in which to study: the Rocky Mountains. Alongside some of the most preeminent scientists in the field, students gain a foundational understanding of the distribution, mechanics, and composition of snow before further defining their study before graduation. Snow scientists find careers in snow safety and consulting in land use planning, transportation, and avalanche protection, as well as post-graduate study to further prepare for positions in the field.

Career Opportunities

Snow Science students at Montana State University go into careers such as:

• Avalanche Protection
• Snow Safety
• Transportation Engineering
• Land Use Planning

Sample Course Plan

The following is a sample course plan for the Snow Science program:

Year One

• Freshman Year
  • Fall:
    • ERTH 101IN - Earth System Sciences (4 credits)
    • GPHY 121D - Human Geography (3 credits)
    • University Core and Electives (7 credits)
  • Spring:
    • ACT 160 - Avalanche 1 Training (1 credit)
    • GPHY 141D - Geography of World Regions (3 credits)
    • M 161Q - Survey of Calculus (4 credits)
    • University Core and Electives (7 credits)
  • Year Total: 14 credits (Fall), 15 credits (Spring)

Year Two

• Sophomore Year
  • Fall:
    • CHMY 141 - College Chemistry I (4 credits)
    • ERTH 303 - Weather and Climate (3 credits)
    • GPHY 284 - Intro to GIS Science & Cartog (3 credits)
    • PHSX 205 - College Physics I (4 credits)
  • Spring:
    • CHMY 143 - College Chemistry II (4 credits)
    • PHSX 207 - College Physics II (4 credits)
    • STAT 216Q - Introduction to Statistics (3 credits)
    • University Core and Electives (5 credits)
  • Year Total: 14 credits (Fall), 16 credits (Spring)

Year Three

• Junior Year
  • Fall:
    • ERTH 307 - Principles of Geomorphology (4 credits)
    • GPHY 329 - Environment and Society (3 credits)
    • UD Electives (17 credits)
  • Spring:
    • GPHY 384 - Adv GIS and Spatial Analysis (3 credits)
    • STAT 337 - Intermediate Statistics with Introduction to Statistical Computing (3 credits)
  • Year Total: 24 credits (Fall), 6 credits (Spring)

Year Four

• Senior Year
  • Fall:
    • GEO 445 - Glacial Geology (3 credits)
    • GPHY 441R - Mountain Geography (4 credits)
    • STAT 411 - Methods for Data Analysis I (3 credits)
    • UD Electives (17 credits)
  • Spring:
    • ERTH 450R - Snow Dynamics and Accumulation (4 credits)
  • Year Total: 27 credits (Fall), 4 credits (Spring)
• Total Program Credits: 120

Research and Facilities

Montana States Subzero Research Laboratory is one of the world's leading cold science research centers. The university's snow science pioneer, Charles Bradley, once conducted research that now underpins modern avalanche forecasting. Snow Science students learn about avalanche causes in the field at local ski areas, including Bridger Bowl and Big Sky.

Career Resources

Within their first year of graduation, more than 96% of Montana State graduates are employed, continuing their education, or not seeking employment. Career guidance website Zippia consistently ranks MSU as the #1 school in the state where alumni are most likely to land jobs. Professional career coaches help students with career exploration, employer networking opportunities, and job or internship searches. They also critique resumes and help students practice job interviews. Additionally, the Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success offers free workshops for students to develop professional communication and collaboration skills highly sought after by employers.