Master of Science in Science Education Degree Program (MSSE)

09/08/2026

08/24/2026

Today, we’re excited to share another installment in the MSSE Student Spotlight Series!

Several months ago, we invited our instructors to nominate students who have demonstrated exceptional work during their time in the MSSE program. Today, we’re featuring David Cauley, a current MSSE student from North Dakota who is passionate about teaching life and earth science, leading an after-school rock club, and pursuing hobbies including fossil hunting, insect collecting, garage sale rummaging, and playing Dungeons & Dragons.

David’s nominating instructor shared that his assignments consistently go above and beyond expectations, describing them as works of art. Check out the last slides of today’s post to see one of David’s creative assignments, complete with hand-drawn cricket sketches, as well as a photo of him holding a 70-million-year-old raptor tooth while on a dig during an MSSE paleontology course!

08/17/2026

We hope you’re enjoying these last few days of summer! Don’t forget to register for your fall courses, as the semester is quickly approaching.

Visit our fall course catalog to explore our course offerings and register today: https://www.montana.edu/msse/course-catalog/fall.html

08/10/2026

MSSE is introducing a new course this fall!

𝗠𝗦𝗦𝗘 𝟱𝟵𝟭 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁: 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝘁
𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘀: 3
𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆: Online
𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱: Fall

MSSE 591 Data in Context: Decision-Making Under the Endangered Species Act examines factors that influence data interpretation and conservation decisions and features real-world case studies of predator species within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Visit our Fall Course Catalog for more information: https://www.montana.edu/msse/course-catalog/fall.html

08/07/2026

After many years of serving as the MSSE Academic Advisor, Holly Thompson Reed will be departing the MSSE program as she begins a new position at Montana State University.

Holly has been an invaluable member of the MSSE team, supporting countless students through admissions, registration, advising, and graduation. Her dedication to our students and passion for science education have made a lasting impact on our program and the educators we serve.

As Holly shared with our students, one of the greatest privileges of her career has been being part of their graduate experience and the incredible community of educators that makes the MSSE program so special.

Please join us in thanking Holly for her years of service and wishing her all the best as she begins this exciting new chapter. We are grateful for everything she has contributed to the MSSE community, and while we will miss her greatly, we know she will continue to make a positive impact at MSU.

08/04/2026

MSSE 591 Data in Context: Decision-Making Under the Endangered Species Act
Credits: 3
Mode of Delivery: Online
Semester Offered: Fall

MSSE 591 Data in Context: Decision-Making Under the Endangered Species Act examines factors that influence data interpretation and conservation decisions through real-world case studies of predator species within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Participants will also design and present lessons based on course content that can be incorporated into their own science curriculum.

For MSSE 504 & 509, be sure to register for the section with the instructor of your choice using the CRN number provided. See the bios for the MSSE Education Core Faculty.

08/03/2026

BIOE 527 Teaching Evolution
Credits: 3
Target Audience: 7-12 grade teachers
Mode of Delivery: Online
Semester Offered: Fall

This fall, register for BIOE 527 to build the knowledge, skills, and resources you need to effectively teach evolution in your classroom.

For MSSE 504 & 509, be sure to register for the section with the instructor of your choice using the CRN number provided. See the bios for the MSSE Education Core Faculty.

07/31/2026

Happy Fun Fact Friday! 🦋

In today’s post, we explore whether butterflies can remember something they experienced as caterpillars and whether those learned responses can be passed on to subsequent generations.

Enjoy, and we hope you have a wonderful weekend!

07/30/2026

BIOE 536 Local Ecosystems for Teachers
Credits: 2
Target Audience: K - 12 educators
Mode of Delivery: Online
Semester Offered: Fall

This fall, register for Local Ecosystems for Teachers and engage in hands-on investigations, explore real-world environmental issues, and complete inquiry-based activities that can be applied directly to your own educational setting.

For MSSE 504 & 509, be sure to register for the section with the instructor of your choice using the CRN number provided. See the bios for the MSSE Education Core Faculty.

07/18/2026

Happy Friday, and we hope you are all enjoying your summer!

Today's post explores some of the strategies certain pathogens use to reproduce and spread among different animal hosts. These adaptations reveal the complexity of host-pathogen interactions.