Botany
The botany curriculum provides a broad background in the biology of plants, from the molecular to the organismic level. Students who major in botany will take courses in ecology, genetics, physiology, taxonomy, anatomy, molecular biology of plants and biochemistry.
About This Major
- College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Degree: Bachelor of Science
- Hours for Degree: 120
- Specializations: Basic Science, Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, Preprofessional Botany
- Minor: Yes
- Combined-Degree Program: Yes
- Website: www.biology.ufl.edu/undergraduates/botany.aspx
Overview
Small classes are taught by faculty who have a commitment to undergraduate education. Opportunities exist for students to perform supervised research, assisting faculty with research projects on campus and abroad. The major prepares students for careers in industry, government agencies and teaching jobs in high schools.
Combined Degree Programs
The Department of Biology offers a BS/MS (thesis or non-thesis) in botany. Admission requires a minimum GRE score of 1100, a minimum 3.2 GPA and a maximum of 12 overlapping credits. Contact the undergraduate coordinator, Dr. Edward L. Braun, biouc-l@lists.ufl.edu, or call (352) 392-1175 for more information.
Coursework for the Major
Required coursework is dependent upon the specialization. Coursework for each specialization can be found below under Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan.
Relevant Minors and/or Certificates
Majors in botany can minor in most other disciplines, and this is a good way to organize students' electives around areas of interest. Note that botany majors cannot minor in biology, nor can biology majors minor in botany (the curricula for the botany and biology majors are too similar).
UFTeach Program: There is a severe shortage of qualified secondary science teachers in Florida and nationwide. Students interested in becoming part of this high-demand profession should see a botany adviser or the UFTeach adviser. UFTeach students complete the UFTeach minor in science teaching with their B.S. in botany and have the coursework and preparation for professional teacher certification in Florida when they graduate.
Research
Botany majors are strongly encouraged to participate in research. Research experience is valuable on many levels: it diversifies your college experience; it teaches you how scientists apply the knowledge gained in the classroom to real world questions; it gives you the opportunity to work with and get to know researchers who are the best in their field; it introduces you to cutting edge scientific questions and techniques; it can enhance your resume/CV when applying to graduate or professional school; and finally it is essential in helping you determine if science is a good career choice for you.
CLAS preprofessional biology, botany and zoology majors may participate in research for course credit, as a scholar (e.g., University Scholar, HHMI Science for Life Scholar, Beckman Scholar), as a volunteer, or, in rare cases, as a paid research assistant. Please visit Undergraduate Research for information regarding course credit. Students who plan to enroll for course credit must contact potential research mentors before the end of drop/add. If they miss the drop/add window, they should still contact potential research mentors, if only to discuss upcoming opportunities.
Back to Top
Basic Science
Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology (PMCB)
The program is designed primarily for students interested in pursuing graduate studies. It is an academically rigorous program that will permit graduates to pursue graduate programs in plant biology and plant genetics. It can also be a terminal degree for students interested in pursuing careers in plant cell/molecular biology research.
Preprofessional Botany
The program is designed for students who plan to attend professional (e.g., medical, dental, law) or graduate school.
Basic Science
This option is intended for students who do not plan to attend graduate or professional school. A student must achieve a minimum grade of C in all required courses for the major.
Required Foundation Courses
- BSC 2010 and 2010L Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 1 Laboratory (1) and
BSC 2011 and 2011L Integrated Principles of Biology 2 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 2 Laboratory (1) (8 credits)
Or
BOT 2010C Introductory Botany (4) and MCB 2000 Microbiology (3) or
ENY 3005 and 3005L Principles of Entomology and Lab(3) (7 credits)
- CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (1) and
CHM 2046 and 2046L General Chemistry 2 (3) and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (1)
(8 credits)
- CHM 2200 and 2200L Basic Organic Chemistry (3) and Basic Organic Chemistry Lab (1)
- MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry (4)
- PHY 2004 and 2004L Applied Physics 1 (3) and Applied Physics 1 Laboratory (1)
Required Courses for the Basic Science Major
- AGR 3303 Genetics (3) or PCB 3063 Genetics (4)
- BOT 2011C Plant Diversity (4)
- BOT 2710C Practical Plant Taxonomy (3) or
BOT 5725C Taxonomy of Vascular Plants (4)
- BOT 3503 and 3503L Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants (3) and Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants Laboratory (2)
- BOT 4935 or BOT 5225C Plant Anatomy (4)
- PCB 4043C General Ecology (4) or
PCB 3601C Plant Ecology (3)
- Two biological or physical science electives outside of botany: Any approved AGR, ENY, FNR, FOR, GEO, GLY, ORH, PLP, STA, SWS or ZOO course (6-8 credits)
- Two botany electives from BOT 2800C, any BOT 3000 to 5000 level course from the Biology Department, BSC 4910, BSC 4912, PCB 3023, PCB 5046C, PLP 5656C, and ZOO 4910
(6-8 credits)
Back to Top
Critical Tracking
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
- CLAS: Complete 1 of 5 critical-tracking courses, including labs: BSC 2010/2010L,
BSC 2011/2011L (or BOT 2010C, and MCB 2000 or ENY 3005/3005L),
CHM 2045/2045L, CHM 2046/2046L, MAC 1147 or MAC 2311
Semester 2
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, including labs
Semester 3
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, including labs, with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
Semester 4
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, including labs, with 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
Semester 5
- Complete all critical-tracking courses, including labs, with 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
Recommended Semester Plan
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are required to complete HUM 2305 The Good Life (GE-H) in semester 1 or 2. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (1)
(GE-P) |
4 |
| HUM 2305 What is the Good Life (GE-H) |
3 |
| MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry (GE-M) |
4 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) |
3 |
| Elective (BSC 1920 First Year Introduction: Biology at UF recommended) |
1 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
| BSC 2010 and 2010L Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 1 Laboratory (1) (GE-B) |
4 |
CHM 2046 and 2046L General Chemistry 2 (3) and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (1)
(GE-P) |
4 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) |
3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
| BSC 2011 and 2011L Integrated Principles of Biology 2 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 2 Laboratory (1) (GE-B) |
4 |
| Foreign Language |
5 |
| Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| BOT 2011C Plant Diversity (GE-B) |
4 |
| PHY 2004 and 2004L Applied Physics 1 (3) and Applied Physics 1 Laboratory (1) |
4 |
| Foreign Language |
5 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| BOT 2710C Practical Plant Taxonomy (GE-B) |
3 |
| CHM 2200 and 2200L Basic Organic Chemistry (3) and Basic Organic Chemistry Laboratory (1) |
4 |
| PCB 4043C General Ecology |
4 |
| Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
AGR 3303 Genetics (3) or
PCB 3063 Genetics (4) |
3-4 |
| BOT 3503 and 3503L Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants (4) and Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants Laboratory (1) |
5 |
| Botany or science elective |
3 |
| Elective (BSC 4936 Critical Analysis of Biological Research recommended) |
2 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) |
3 |
| Total |
16-17 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| BOT 4935 or BOT 5225C Plant Anatomy |
4 |
| Botany or science elective |
3 |
| Botany or science elective |
3 |
| Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) |
5
|
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| Botany or science elective |
3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) |
12 |
| Total |
15 |
Back to Top
Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology (PMCB)
This comprehensive program focuses on the molecular aspects of plants, including growth, development and biochemistry. This specialization prepares students for careers in laboratory research and graduate studies. A student must achieve a minimum grade of C in the foundation and major requirements for the botany major.
Required Foundation Courses
- BSC 2010 and 2010L Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 1 Laboratory (1) and
BSC 2011 and 2011L Integrated Principles of Biology 2 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 2 Laboratory (1) (8 credits)
- CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (1) and
CHM 2046 and 2046L General Chemistry 2 (3) and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (1)
(8 credits)
- CHM 2210 and 2211 Organic Chemistry 1 and 2 (3+3) and CHM 2211L Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory (2) (8 credits)
Or
CHM 3217 and 3218 Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry 1 and 2 (4+4) and
CHM 2211L Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory (2) (10 credits)
- MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 recommended) (4)
- PHY 2053 and 2053L Physics 1 (4) and Physics 1 Laboratory (1) and
PHY 2054 and 2054L Physics 2 (4) and Physics 2 Laboratory (1) (10 credits)
Or
PHY 2048 and 2048L Physics with Calculus 1 (3) and Physics with Calculus 1 Laboratory (1) and PHY 2049 and 2049L Physics with Calculus 2 (3) and Physics with Calculus 2 Laboratory (1) (8 credits)
Required Courses for the PMCB Major
- AGR 3303 Genetics (3) or
PCB 3063 Genetics (4)
- BOT 2011C Plant Diversity (4) or
BOT 2710C Practical Plant Taxonomy (3)
- BOT 3503 and 3503L Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants (3) and Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants Laboratory (2)
- BOT 4935 Plant Biochemistry (4) or
CHM 3218 Bio-Organic Chemistry (4)
- HOS 4313C Laboratory Methods in PMCB (2)
- PCB 3023 Essentials of Cell Biology (3)
- Botany elective from BOT 2800 (3), any BOT 3000 to 5000 level course from the Biology Department, BOT 4905 (up to 4), BSC 4910 (up to 4), BSC 4912 (up to 4), PCB 3601C (4), PCB 4043C (4), PCB 4674 (4), ZOO 4910 (up to 4). Other courses may be chosen with adviser approval. (3 credits)
- PMCB electives from ABE 4042C (2), AEB 4126 (3), AGR 2332 (3), AGR 4321 (3), ALS 3133 (3), CHM 4302L (2), GEO 3315 (3), HOS 3020 (3), HOS 3305 (3), MCB 3020 (3),
PCB 3134 (3), PLP 3103C (3), PLP 4242C (4), PLS 3223 (2), SWS 3022 (3), SWS 3022L (1), SWS 4116 (3). Other courses may be chosen with adviser approval. (6 credits)
Critical Tracking
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
- Complete 1 of 5 critical-tracking courses, including labs: BSC 2010/2010L or
BOT 2010C, BSC 2011/2011L, CHM 2045/2045L, CHM 2046/2046L, MAC 2311
Semester 2
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, including labs
Semester 3
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, including labs, with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
Semester 4
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, including labs, with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
Semester 5
- Complete all 5 critical-tracking courses, including labs, with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
Recommended Semester Plan
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are required to complete HUM 2305 The Good Life (GE-H) in semester 1 or 2. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (1)
(GE-P) |
4 |
| HUM 2305 What is the Good Life (GE-H) |
3 |
| MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE-M) |
4 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) |
3 |
| Elective (BSC 1920 First Year Introduction: Biology at UF recommended) |
1 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
| BSC 2010 and 2010L Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 1 Laboratory (1) (GE-B) |
4 |
CHM 2046 and 2046L General Chemistry 2 (3) and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (1)
(GE-P) |
4 |
| Foreign language |
5 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
| BSC 2011 and 2011L Integrated Principles of Biology 2 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 2 Laboratory (1) (GE-B) |
4 |
| CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry |
3 |
| Foreign language |
5 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| BOT 2011C Plant Diversity (GE-B) |
4 |
| CHM 2211 and 2211L Organic Chemistry 2 (3) and Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory (2) |
5 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) |
3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| AGR 3303 Genetics (3) or PCB 3063 Genetics (4) |
3-4 |
| BOT elective |
3-4 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) |
6 |
| Social and Behavioral Science (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| BOT 3503 and 3503L Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants (3) and Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants Laboratory (2) |
5 |
| PCB 3023 Essential Cell Biology |
3 |
| Electives |
4 |
| Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| HOS 4313C Laboratory Methods in PMCB |
2 |
| PHY 2053 and 2053L Physics 1 (4) and Physics 1 Laboratory (1) (GE-P) |
5 |
| PMCB elective (approved list below) |
3-4 |
| Elective (BSC 4936 Critical Analysis of Biological Research recommended) |
2 |
| Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) |
2 |
| Total |
14-15 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
BOT 4935 Plant Biochemistry or
CHM 3218 Bio-organic Chemistry |
4 |
| PHY 2054 and 2054L Physics 2 (4) and Physics 2 Laboratory (1) (GE-P) |
5 |
| STA 2023 Statistics (GE-M) |
3 |
| Botany or science elective |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
Back to Top
Preprofessional Botany
This option requires a strong background in the basic sciences and is intended for students who plan to attend graduate, medical or dental school. Minimum grades of C are required in the foundation and botany major requirements.
Required Foundation Courses
- BSC 2010 and 2010L Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 1 Laboratory (1) and
BSC 2011 and 2011L Integrated Principles of Biology 2 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 2 Laboratory (1) (8 credits)
- CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (1) and CHM 2046 and 2046L General Chemistry 2 (3) and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (1)
(8 credits)
- CHM 2210 and 2211 Organic Chemistry 1 and 2 (3+3) and CHM 2211L Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory (2)
Or
CHM 3217 and 3218 Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry 1 and 2 (4+4) and
CHM 2211L Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory (2) (8-10 credits)
- MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 recommended) (4)
- PHY 2053 and 2053L Physics 1 (4) and Physics 1 Laboratory (1) and
PHY 2054 and 2054L Physics 2 (4) and Physics 2 Laboratory (1) (10 credits)
Or
PHY 2048 and 2048L Physics with Calculus 1 (3) and Physics with Calculus 1 Laboratory (1) and PHY 2049 and 2049L Physics with Calculus 2 (3) and Physics with Calculus 2 Laboratory (1) (8 credits)
Required Courses for the Preprofessional Major
- AGR 3303 Genetics (3) or
PCB 3063 Genetics (4)
- BOT 2011C Plant Diversity (4)
- Botany elective from BOT 2800C, any BOT 3000 to 5000 level course from the Biology Department, PCB 5046C, PLP 5656C (3-4 credits)
- Select one course from 4 of the 6 botanical disciplines (14 or more credits)
- BOT 2710C Practical Plant Taxonomy (3) or
BOT 5725C Taxonomy of Vascular Plants (4)
- BOT 3503 and 3503L Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants (3) and Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants Laboratory (1)
- BOT 4935 or BOT 5225C Plant Anatomy (4)
- CHM 3218 Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry 2 (4) or
BOT 4935 Plant Biochemistry (3)
- PCB 3023 Cell Biology (3)
- PCB 4043C General Ecology (4) or
PCB 3601C Plant Ecology (3)
Back to Top
Critical Tracking
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
- Complete 1 of 5 critical-tracking courses, including labs: BSC 2010/2010L or
BOT 2010C, BSC 2011/2011L, CHM 2045/2045L, CHM 2046/2046L, MAC 2311
Semester 2
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, including labs
Semester 3
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, including labs, with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
Semester 4
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, including labs, with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
Semester 5
- Complete all 5 critical-tracking courses, including labs, with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
Recommended Semester Plan
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are required to complete HUM 2305 The Good Life (GE-H) in semester 1 or 2. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
CHM 2045 AND 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (1)
(GE-P) |
4 |
| HUM 2305 What is the Good Life (GE-H) |
3 |
| MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus (GE-M) |
4 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) |
3 |
| Elective (BSC 1920 First Year Introduction: Biology at UF recommended) |
1 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
| BSC 2010 and 2010L Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 1 Laboratory (1) (GE-B) |
4 |
CHM 2046 and 2046L General Chemistry 2 (3) and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (1)
(GE-P) |
4 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) |
3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
| BSC 2011 and 2011L Integrated Principles of Biology 2 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 2 Laboratory (1) (GE-B) |
4 |
| CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry (GE-P) |
3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
6 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| BOT 2011C Plant Diversity (GE-B) |
4 |
| CHM 2211 and 2211L Organic Chemistry 2 (3) and Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory (2) |
5 |
| Foreign language |
5 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| PCB 4043C Introduction to Ecology |
4 |
| PHY 2053 and 2053L Physics 1 (4) and Physics 1 Laboratory (1) (GE-P) |
5 |
| Foreign language |
5 |
| Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
| Total |
17 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| BOT 2710 Practical Plant Taxonomy (GE-B) |
3 |
| PHY 2054 and 2054L Physics 2 (4) and Physics 2 Laboratory (1) |
5 |
| Elective |
2 |
| Mathematics (STA 2023 recommended) (GE-M) |
3 |
| Total |
13 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| AGR 3303 Genetics (3) or PCB 3063 Genetics (4) |
3-4 |
| BOT 4935 or BOT 5225C Plant Anatomy |
4 |
| Botany or science elective |
3 |
| Elective (BSC 4936 Critical Analysis of Biological Research recommended) |
2 |
| Elective |
3 |
| Total |
15-16 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| BOT 3503 and 3503L Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants (3) and Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants Laboratory (2) |
5 |
| Botany or science elective |
3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) |
8 |
| Total |
16 |
Back to Top |
false,false,1 |
|