Botany Major
The botany major is designed to accommodate a wide range of interests and to prepare students for careers in a variety of fields. The major consists of a core curriculum in botany together with electives in the natural sciences and statistics. In addition to the general track, students may opt for concentrations in ethnobotany or in sustainable agriculture, both of which include courses in the social sciences.
Students planning for a career in landscape design or architecture are strongly encouraged to consider a minor in architectural studies or art. Those interested in botanic gardens, herbaria and arboreta are encouraged to consider the museum studies certificate program. Students considering graduate study in botany or other biological sciences should consult with an adviser as early as possible to design an appropriate plan of coursework.
The major consists of a minimum of eleven courses, at least three of which must be at the 300 or 400 level.
Curriculum in Botany
All botany majors must take the following courses:
One introductory course:
In select cases BIO 120 may be substituted with the permission of the department.
| BOT 105 | ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY | 4 |
| or | |
| BOT 115 | CC: HOW PLANTS FEED THE WORLD | 4 |
Three foundational core courses:
Two of the following allied quantitative and physical science courses:
Students will work with their advisers to select an appropriate pair of courses based on their background, interests and professional goals.
One of the following ethnobotanical and applied botany courses:
BOT 290 must be taken for 4 credits to satisfy this requirement.
One of the following capstone courses taken in the senior year:
Seniors may, with the permission of the department, fulfill their capstone requirement with an Individual Study (BOT 491 or 492) that includes a paper and public presentation.
Students majoring in botany with the general track must also satisfy the following requirements:
Three upper level electives:
The courses below are recommended. Students may also select from among any BOT or BIO courses at the 200-level or above. All students majoring in botany must complete a minimum of three courses at the 300-level or higher within the major.
Students majoring in botany with a concentration in ethnobotany must also satisfy the following requirements:
One introductory course:
Two upper level electives selected from the following:
With permission of the department, other courses in anthropology, botany, biology or environmental studies at the 200-level or higher may be substituted. Students who fulfilled their general ethnobotanical and applied botany course requirement with BOT 117 CC must complete three upper level electives to satisfy the major with 11 courses. Similarly, any course taken to satisfy the general ethnobotanical and applied botany course requirement may not simultaneously count toward this upper level elective requirement. All students majoring in botany must complete a minimum of three courses at the 300-level or higher within the major.
Students majoring in botany with a concentration in sustainable agriculture must also satisfy the following requirements:
The following foundational course:
One of the following food studies courses:
One upper level elective selected from the following, or from the food studies courses listed above:
With permission of the department, other courses in anthropology, botany, biology or environmental studies at the 200-level or higher may be substituted. All students majoring in botany must complete a minimum of three courses at the 300-level or higher within the major.
K. Hardeman, C. Jones, M. Lizarralde, P. Owen, R. Spicer, S. Suriyapperuma, E. Vukicevich.