Montana State News

By CASSIDY GEOGHEGAN/Montana State News

The Montana State University administration has been trying to increase the availability of online core classes. However, finding faculty that is both willing and has the time and knowledge to do so has been a struggle, according to English professor Josef Verbanac.

“Online courses are extremely time-consuming, not easy, and often there is not a lot of support when using technology as a teaching tool,” Verbanac said. On average, an online class is three to four times more time-consuming than a typical on campus class, according to Verbanac. He believes that the amount of time an online class requires is not adequately stressed by faculty.

“Online classes aren’t for everyone. They require a tremendous amount of self-motivation and discipline. The faculty stresses that online classes are great because of the flexibility, but that is a misnomer. They don’t stress the rigor.” More

By LEVI WORTS/Montana State News

MSU freshman Matthew Handley, left, and SSEL Director David Klumpar watch as information is downloaded from MSU’s orbiting satellite. (MSU photo by Kelly Gorham)

David Klumpar, a Montana State University professor, is placing the university on the map and into outer space. Klumpar will send three satellites into space by the end of 2013, which is equal to the number MSU has placed in orbit over 12 years of working with NASA.

Klumpar said that by working with NASA, “I felt like I might be able to make a difference.” One of the differences he alluded to is saving money by using cheaper satellites for space research. Klumpar specifically wants NASA to pay more attention to smaller, less expensive satellites.

Some of these satellites use smart phones as the “brains,” and according to Klumpar are “more powerful than the tech that operated the Apollo spacecrafts.” It is because of new innovated technology like this that the smaller satellites can be constructed. More

By NOAH BOSTROM/Montana State News

“All you need is a little imagination”, said Montana State University photography student, Gwendolyn Courtney when asked what was required for the Undergraduate Student Research Program with passes out grants.

The program is dedicated to giving the novice undergraduate more hands-on experience. Students jump at the idea of doing research before graduate school or before venturing out into career desolate world.

“I always wanted a chance to get into the nitty-gritty before graduation,” said Dan Buettner, “and now I have an edge on other students.”

The significance of this grant as opposed to others is its scope of acceptance. Any student may apply for any research topic from the department and the grant board seems generous in accepting proposals. More

By CASSIDY GEOGHEGAN/Montana State News

The paleontology grant that allows Montana State University students to travel to China in order to study dinosaur eggs has been extremely beneficial for both MSU as well as the vast study of dinosaurs as a whole, according to David Varricchio, associate professor of paleontology at MSU and project founder.

“Through this program, we’ve taken three groups of eight undergraduates from schools across Montana to Zhejiang, China to study their rich collection of dinosaur eggs,” Varricchio said.

According to the program’s website, about half of the group will be from the paleontology research program, however, students from other disciplines and institutions are encouraged to apply.

The trip, led by Varricchio and Frankie Jackson, is five weeks long, and Varricchio states, “The program’s goals are to both provide students with a research opportunity and to expose them to international travel.” More