Major in Biological Science, Botany Concentration

Botany is the general study of plants and plant-like organisms from microscopic algae to giant redwoods, from mushrooming fungi to flowering angiosperms. Plant anatomy, how plants grow and develop, and how they survive and interrelate within their environments are topics of study. For students who like the outdoors, a career in plant ecology, taxonomy, or forestry might be appealing. Students attracted to the beauty and design of the microscopic world might enjoy a career in plant anatomy or plant developmental biology. Those interested in chemistry might enjoy plant biochemistry, molecular biology, or plant biotechnology. Those intrigued by plant diseases might become plant pathologists and the mathematically oriented might explore systems ecology, genetics, or plant biotechnology.

The botany curriculum begins with a solid foundation in mathematics, the biological sciences, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, evolution, and genetics. Botany emphasizing terrestrial plant studies including plant systematics, anatomy, and ecology, biochemistry, and earth sciences round out the core. Botany students also take liberal arts and communications courses to give breadth to their education.

Learning Objectives

Students completing the major in Biological Science with a concentration in Botany will attain a well-rounded education grounded in the natural sciences, with emphasis on the current state of knowledge in botany. Upon successfully completing the degree, they will be able to:

1. Attain a solid foundation in the natural sciences, with emphasis on biological processes and phenomena;
2. Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of biological concepts, processes, and phenomena that are broadly applicable to organisms, as well as more a detailed understanding of multiple aspects of biological concepts, processes and phenomena applicable to plants and allied organisms;
3. Demonstrate strong analytical, mathematical, and statistical skills, and the ability to apply these appropriately in botanical contexts;
4. Demonstrate the ability to analyze, synthesize, integrate, and evaluate material from botany and related fields, and effectively communicate such information.

Department of Biology Undergraduate Programs

Effective Fall 2025

To be qualified for graduation, students must have a minimum grade of C- in all BZ, LIFE, and BC courses used to meet requirements for the major, as well as all Upper Division Botany Concentration Electives. This applies to courses taken as substitutions for meeting these requirements.

Upper Division Botany Concentration Electives

¹

Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level).

²

Students may take BZ 223 OR BZ 240. Only one course will count towards the major.

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:
TO PREPARE FOR FIRST SEMESTER: The curriculum for the Botany Concentration assumes students enter college prepared to take calculus. Entering students who are not prepared to take calculus will need to fulfill pre‐calculus requirements in the first semester. Please discuss with your advisor. LIFE 102 requires high school chemistry as a prerequisite; CHEM 111 requires Algebra II as a prerequisite (this prerequisite is met by having Algebra II by test credit, transfer credit, or placement out of MATH 117 and MATH 118 on Math Placement Exam). C- or better in all BZ, LIFE, and BC courses used to meet requirements for the major, as well as all Upper-Division Botany Concentration Electives. Term 4 may have to be adjusted if the student chooses 2 semesters of Organic Chemistry. Do not attempt more than three science and math courses per term. It is recommended that you do not take BZ 310 and BZ 350 together.