The required curriculum meets the course requirements of the University and the College of Science and provides opportunity for specialized study in one or more principal areas of plant science. The undergraduate major, in regular consultation with a faculty advisor, prepares an academic program which meets University requirements, provides adequate scientific background, and fulfills individual goals and interests.
Undergraduate majors in Botany may elect to complete one of the Botany Options listed below. Students selecting an option must complete the basic requirements for a B.S. in Botany and 21 credits of additional course work as specified for the particular option. Options are not required. Options provide an additional transcript-visible credential for students who complete the required course work. The particular course work selected to fulfill an option must meet the requirements listed here and be approved by the student's academic advisor.
Freshman Year
Principles of Biology (12cr)
General Chemistry (15cr) CH 121, CH 122, CH 123;
Mathematics courses (Prerequisites for calculus as required)
Baccalaureate Core
English Composition (3cr) WR 121
Perspective Courses (15cr)
Sophomore Year
Cell and Molecular Biology (4cr) BI 314
Introduction to Plant Systematics (4cr) BOT 321
Organic Chemistry (8cr) CH 331, CH 332.
Calculus (8cr) MTH 251 and MTH 252
Baccalaureate Core
Lifetime Fitness for Health (3cr) HHS 231
Additional approved writing (WR) or speech (COMM) courses (6cr)
Additional Electives (13cr)
Junior Year
Elementary or General Biochemistry (4 or 7cr) BB 350 or BB 450 and BB 451
Genetics (4cr) BI 311 or HORT/CSS 430 (3cr)
Plant Ecology (4cr) BOT 341.
Plant Structure (4cr) BOT 313.
General Physics (15cr)
Baccalaureate Core
Synthesis Courses (6cr)
Additional Electives (4-9cr)
Senior Year
Plant Physiology (4cr) BOT 331
Plant Pathology (4cr)
Course in the Biology of Non-Vascular Plants or Fungi (4cr) BOT 416 or BOT 461 or BOT 465 or BOT 466.
Introduction to Statistical Methods (4cr) ST 351.
Computer Competency (ST 352 or other approved course or experience 4 or 3cr)
Writing intensive course (3 cr). ( BI 306, BB/BI 317, BI 371, BI 388, HORT 311, MB 311, HSTS 415, HSTS 419, HSTS425).
Additional upper division biology (College of Science courses, other than BOT courses (4cr)
Baccalaureate Core
Electives (17-19cr)
TOTAL (180 credits)
MINOR (27)
Genetics (4cr) BI 311 or Plant Genetics HORT/CSS 430 (3) .
Introduction to Plant Systematics (4cr) BOT 321.
Plant Physiology (5cr) BOT 331.
Plant Ecology (4cr) BOT 341.
Additional 11-12 credits hours of BOT courses (excluding BOT 101 but may include BOT 401, 405 407, 410).
The requirements listed above are subject to the following constraints:
Courses required for a major taken in the major department may not count toward more than one minor.
An individual course may not count toward more than one minor.
Plant Ecology and Systematics Option (21 credits)
Plant Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Option (21 credits)
Fungal Biology Option (21 credits)
Botanical Research Option (21 credits)
Preprofessional Teaching Option
