College of Letters & Science

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://scholarworks.montana.edu/handle/1/37

The College of Letters and Science, the largest center for learning, teaching and research at Montana State University, offers students an excellent liberal arts and sciences education in nearly 50 majors, 25 minors and over 25 graduate degrees within the four areas of the humanities, natural sciences, mathematics and social sciences.

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How should we train and assess our STEM graduate students in oral communication?
(2020-01) Willoughby, Shannon D.; Davis, Kent; Green, Jennifer; Hughes, Bryce; LaMeres, Brock; Sterman, Leila B.
A poster presented at a IGE annual PI's reporting meeting in January 2020. Today’s STEM graduate students need to be able to effectively communicate their research with the public. How do we develop and assess a curriculum that fosters these skills in tomorrow’s science professionals?
The link between serum cortisol levels within an American Indian community
(Montana State Univeristy, 2017-04) Racine, Jerry; Kipp, Colbi
The purpose of this study is to understand the link between serum cortisol levels within an American Indian community. Stress levels can be determined by serum cortisol, which have a direct impact on the immune system. Historically, Native American communities suffer from various stress disorders related to generational trauma, mental, and substance abuse. This has resulted in increased frequency of infectious disease, autoimmune disease and various cancers. Native American communities, potentially due to high-stress levels affecting their immune systems, suffer from the highest incidence of health disparities. This study seeks to find if there is a direct link between stress-related hormones and an increased vulnerability to disease by comparison of self – reported depression amongst various bio-markers and socio-economic factors. This project fully began in the summer of 2015, canvassing local students and members of the community to engage in this project. Each participant was asked to complete a survey, and donate blood and saliva samples for direct cortisol testing. Analysis was performed of serum and saliva samples for direct cortisol testing. Analysis was performed on serum and saliva samples via Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The assay is performed and analyzed to see the direct link of specific antigens or antibodies attaching to the surface of certain wells, within the ELISA test, to view cortisol levels within the system.
Combining both Qualitative and Qualitative Measures
(Montana State Univeristy, 2017-04) Hall, Terydon; Ollinger, Scott
This project investigates serum levels of cortisol within a federally recognized tribe. Cortisol, a steroid hormone, is produced and released via adrenal gland function. Relevant to this study, cortisol can be detrimental to humans, as it directly suppresses immune function and thereby increases disease susceptibility. Historically, incidence of chronic disease is markedly higher within Native American populations, than other ethnicities. This mixed-methods study, combining both quantitative and qualitative measures, seeks to determine whether this federally recognized tribe experiences prolonged high-stress events via serum sample and analysis. A further goal of this investigation is to ascertain whether or not stress levels are related to increased infection vulnerability and chronic disease, via a participant self-report survey.
A Mixed-Methods Community Investigation of Trauma and Depression Incidence within an Indigenous Population
(Montana State Univeristy, 2017-04) Spottes Horse, Dannette; Wagner, Lana
American Indians experience some of the highest health disparities in the nation per ethnicity, to include lower life expectancy and disproportionate stress, poverty, discrimination in the delivery of health services, poor social conditions, and cultural differences. Increased frequency and intensity of prolonged stress has been related to susceptibility of infection and autoimmune and chronic disease. This inquiry seeks to define the relationship between stress biomarkers, infection, and disease. A primary piece of this investigation is the potential connection between salivary cortisol, trauma, and negative health experiences. This was measured by both quantitative blood and saliva samples compared with the qualitative self-report survey called the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) with the aim of exposing the increased occurrence of chronic disease and infection frequency as well as adverse life conditions community participants were experiencing. Enzyme-linked immunenosorbant assay (ELISA) was used to establish salivary cortisol levels in 110 recruited participants, determining if they exhibited elevated levels of stress. This research further explored additional stress biomarkers such as c-reactive protein and immunoglobin A (IgA). The purpose of this work is to provide information to educate individuals in the management of stress to improve quality of life. We found that there was significant correlation between trauma and depression, though no correlational significance between salivary cortisol, C-reactive protein, nor immunoglobin-A with trauma.
The Role of Humans and Climate in Historic Fire Activity on Tribal Forests of Northwestern Montana
(Montana State Univeristy, 2017-04) Snyder, Derek
Over the past several millennia, the severity of fires in mixed-conifer forests has varied greatly. Human interaction with these forest ecosystems has likely had an effect on this. In the past, the Salish and Kootenai tribes conducted seasonal burns south of Flathead Lake. Recently, the Confederated Tribes have taken measures of fire suppression. This project uses fire history data from one area of historically high human burning activity and another area that has been mainly isolated from human activity. Over the summer, I began the project as a Montana Institute on Ecosystems undergraduate researcher collecting data. This data was collected by taking tree-core samples from the root collar of trees, noting fire scars on trees, and measuring the diameter. The samples are now being analyzed and cross-dated to model fire history. Comparing fire regime data from each of these areas may reveal the effect of human activity on fire severity. The ultimate goal is to use this information to inform future forestry management of the historical drivers of mixed-severity fires in the mixed-conifer forests of the tribal lands of the Northern Rocky Mountains.
Storytelling: Computer Science for American Indians in the Middle Grades
(Montana State Univeristy, 2017-04) Smith, Hayley
Computer Science is rarely taught in the high schools, and even less likely to be taught in a middle school. However, research suggests that students decide if they will continue in STEM by the end of 8th grade. Students have a natural ability to tell stories, especially the students from tribal communities who use stories to express themselves. ALICE is developed to be an easy to learn programming software that uses 3D graphics to provide instantaneous results to the user. This research project will develop curriculum using ALICE to teach computational thinking and computer science to middle school students by embedding storytelling activities into the Indian Education for All standards currently implemented across the state of Montana. To increase effects of these research, a website will also be developed to provide the community information about the project, research results and the lessons developed.
Lending Outcomes Among Native American and Reservation Applicants
(Montana State Univeristy, 2017-04) Stonnell, Austin
This study examines the impact of loan location on Native Americans applying for mortgages. The study specifically looks at what effect applying for a mortgage on reservation land has on loan outcomes. Due to their status as sovereign nations, repossessing homes that are in foreclosure within these areas is more difficult due to several legal challenges lenders face. The study is concerned with determining how big of a difference there is in these loan outcomes and among both Native American and non-Native American applicant groups.
Can there be another Industrial Revolution?
(Montana State Univeristy, 2017-04) Dorsey, Elva
My research will consist of identifying top features a manufacturing company is looking for and comparing that to the Blackfeet Reservation. I will look at the reservation to identify the health of transportation, policy/legal, labor force, and land use as it pertains to businesses. Once I have a strong idea of how the area measures up to the need of a small manufacturing firm I will look at possible ways to improve that areas that could be seen as weak to a potential manufacturer. Once there is a plan on improving weaknesses I will go to the same manufacturers and ask them to score the Blackfeet Reservation before the research is complete and once the research is done and they are presented with a feasibility study showing the strong qualities of the reservation as well as a plan on how to improve the weaker manufacturing features. I will than present the findings to Montana State University as well as the Blackfeet Tribe. My findings presentation to the tribe will have the goal of discussing and improving weakness to attract a manufacturing firm that will develop a site on the Blackfeet Reservation, reducing the unemployment rate while increasing jobs and income across Montana. With the reservation a designated area for government contracts it seems like an ideal place to develop manufacturing.
Visualizing Native America: Examining Depictions of Nativeness in Montana Institutional Spaces
(Montana State Univeristy, 2017-04) Russette, Kristie
Museums, information centers, and monuments all serve as institutions that shape public memory. In Montana, a state with a large Native American population, these institutions contribute to the way that Native groups are remembered and perceived by the public. As pedagogical spaces, Montana institutions project a specific body of images that signals to viewers how to think about Native American culture. The current study extends the dialogue concerning the representation of Native American/indigenous peoples in various institutions and its impact on the dominant public, especially non-native audiences.
Tipi Tectonics: An Analysis of How Culture, Beliefs, and Traditions Positively Affected Lakota Housing
(Montana State Univeristy, 2017-04) Brownotter, Celina
The Great Sioux Nation is well known for their nomadic lifestyle. This way of life would not be known for what it is today if it were not for the tipi. Originally arising from the elaborate indigenous culture, this portable dwelling was known for being extremely efficient, sustainable, and well-designed. In today’s society there are extreme issues that the aboriginal peoples face within their homes, which could be solved through understanding the beliefs and customs that the Lakota are accustomed to. By understanding the beliefs and traditions of the original habitants of the Great Plains and integrating this information with modern design methods, design strategies from the past could help alleviate housing issues faced by the Great Sioux Nation today.

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