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Botany, CALS

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 anatomy, ecology, genetics, physiology, taxonomy and molecular biology of plants and biochemistry.

About this Major

College: Agricultural and Life Sciences
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Credits for Degree: 120
Specializations:
- General Botany; Botanical Research
Academic Learning Compact
Additional Information

Related Botany Programs

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Overview

Small classes are taught by faculty who have a commitment to undergraduate education. Students participate in mentored research, assisting faculty with research projects on campus and abroad. The major prepares students for careers in industry and government agencies, for graduate and professional schools, and for teaching jobs in high schools.

The general botany specialization is for students who may not intend to pursue a graduate degree but are interested in a career in plant biology. This specialization provides some flexibility in tailoring the courses needed in order to pursue specific interests. Students are encouraged to consult with an advisor and botany faculty member when deciding on which courses to take.

The botanical research specialization is for students who intend to pursue a graduate degree and requires research with a faculty member. This specialization provides some flexibility in tailoring the courses needed in order to pursue specific interests. Students are encouraged to consult with an advisor and botany faculty member when deciding on which courses to take.

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 at biouc-l@lists.ufl.edu or call 352.273.0126 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 Model Semester Plan.

Relevant Minors and/or Certificates

Students majoring 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 advisor or the UFTeach advisor. 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, and research is required for the Botanical Research specialization. Research experience is valuable on many levels: it diversifies the college experience; it teaches students how scientists apply the knowledge gained in the classroom to real world questions; it provides the opportunity to work with and get to know researchers who are the best in their field; it introduces students to cutting edge scientific questions and techniques; it can enhance a student's resume/CV when applying to graduate or professional school; and finally it is essential in helping students determine if science is a good career choice.

CALS botany majors may participate in research for course credit, as a scholar (e.g., University Scholar, 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, develop a project, and turn in the required application and proposal no later than the week before drop/add. If the window is missed, students should still contact potential research mentors, if only to discuss upcoming opportunities.

General Botany

Critical Tracking Model Semester Plan

This option is intended for students who do not plan to attend graduate or professional school, but are planning a career in government, public service, or secondary education. A student must achieve a minimum grade of C in all required courses for the major.

Required Foundation Courses

BOT 2010C Introductory Botany (3) and BOT 2011C Plant Diversity* (4) (preferred) or
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) (7-8 credits total)
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 total)
CHM 2200 and 2200L Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry (3) and Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry Laboratory (1)
MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry (4) or
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (4) and
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (3), or
COP 2800 Computer Programming Using JAVA (3) or equivalent, or
COP 3275 Computer Programming Using C (3) or equivalent, or
BSC 2891 Python Programming for Biology (3) (7 credits total)
PHY 2004 and 2004L Applied Physics 1 (3) and Applied Physics 1 Laboratory (1)

Required Courses for the General Botany Specialization

AGR 3303 Genetics (3) or PCB 3063 Genetics (4)
PCB 4674 Evolution (4)
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)
BSC 4936 Critical Analysis of Biological Research (2)

Choose two of the following ecology and Florida biodiversity courses:

PCB 4043C General Ecology (4)
PCB 3601C Plant Ecology (3)
BOT 3151C Local Flora (3)
BSC 3307 Climate Change Biology (4)

Choose one of the following cells and tissues courses:

BOT 4935/5225C Plant Anatomy (4)
PCB 3023 Essential Cell Biology (3)

Choose one of the following biodiversity breadth courses:

BOT 2011C * (4)
ZOO 4307C Vertebrate Biodiversity (4)
ZOO 4926 Mammalogy (3)
ZOO 4205C Invertebrate Biodiversity (4)
ENY 3005 (2) and ENY 3005L (1) Principles of Entomology
WIS 4934 Mammalogy (3)
PLP 3002C Fundamentals of Plant Pathology (4)
PLP 4653C Basic Fungal Biology (4)
MCB 2000/ MCB 2000L Microbiology (3) and lab (1)
MCB 3020/ MCB 3020L Basic Biology of Microorganisms (3) and lab (1)

Choose two from any of the above courses or other approved electives (4-8 credits)

* Students who choose BOT 2011C to fulfill the foundation requirements may not use BOT 2011C to fulfill the biodiversity breadth requirements for the major.

Recommended and approved electives (some courses may have prerequisites):

AGG 3501 Environment, Food and Society (3)
AGR 4304 Plant Chromosomes and Genomes (3)
AGR 4320 Plant Breeding (3)
AGR 4512 Physiology and Ecology of Crops (3)
ALS 4163 Challenges in Plant Resource Protection (3)
BCH 5045 Graduate Survey of Biochemistry (Online) (4)
BCH 3023 Elementary Organic and Biological Chemistry (Online) (3)
BOT 2800C Plants in Human Affairs (3)
BOT 4053 Practical Experience in Teaching Botany (2)
BOT 4621 Plant Geography (2)
BOT 4935 Special Topics in Botany (2-4)
BOT 4935/5305 Paleobotany (3)
BSC 2862 Global Change Ecology and Sustainability (3)
BSC 3402 Theory and Practice in the Biological Sciences (2)
BSC 4434 Introduction to Bioinformatics (3)
ENY 4161 Insect Classification (3)
FNR 3131C Dendrology/Forest Plants (3)
FOR 2662 Forests for the Future (3)
FOR 3004 Forests, Conservation and People (3)
FOR 3153C Forest Ecology (3)
FOR 3342C Tree Biology (3)
FOR 4060 Global Forests (3)
HOS 3305 Introduction to Plant Molecular Biology (3)
HOS 4304 Horticultural Physiology (3)
HOS 4313C Laboratory Methods in Plant Molecular Biology (2)
HOS 4341 Advanced Horticultural Physiology (3)
MCB 4304 Genetics of Microorganisms (3)
MCB 4320C The Microbiome (3)
MCB 4503 General Virology (3)
MCB 4652 Environmental Microbiology (3)
ORH 3513C Environmental Plant Identification and Use (3)
ORH 3773 Public Gardens (2)
ORH 3815C Florida Native Landscaping (3)
PCB 4553 Population Genetics (4)
PCB 5338 Principles of Ecosystem Ecology (3)
PLP 2060 Fungus Among Us: Mushrooms, Molds, and Civilization (3)
PLP 3230 Survey of Plant Pathogens (3)
PLS 2003 Plants that Feed the World (3)
PLS 3221 (2) and 3221L (1) Plant Propagation and Lab
PLS 4601C Principles of Weed Science (3)

Critical Tracking

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

Complete 1 of 5 critical-tracking courses, including lab: BSC 2010/2010L or BOT 2010C, BSC 2011/2011L or BOT 2011C, CHM 2045/2045L, CHM 2046/2046L; MAC 1147, MAC 2311 or STA 2023
2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, including labs
2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, including labs, with a 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, including labs, with 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

Complete all critical-tracking courses, including labs, with 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
2.0 UF GPA required

Model Semester Plan

Students are expected to complete the writing requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. 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).

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Semester 1	Credits
BSC 2010 Integrated Principles of Biology 1, 3 credits, and BSC 2010L Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 1, 1 credit OR BOT 2010C Introductory Botany GE-B	4
IUF 1000 What is the Good Life GE-H	3
MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry or MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I State Core GE-M	4
Composition State Core GE-C; WR	3
Elective BSC 1920 First Year Introduction: Biology at UF recommended	1
Total	15

Semester 2	Credits
BSC 2011 Integrated Principles of Biology 2, 3 credits, and BSC 2011L Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 2, 1 credit OR BOT 2011C Plant Diversity GE-B	4
CHM 2045 General Chemistry 1, 3 credits, and CHM 2045L General Chemistry 1 Laboratory, 1 credit State Core GE-B/P	4
Composition GE-C; WR	3
Social and Behavioral Sciences State Core GE-S	3
Total	14

Semester 3	Credits
AEC 3033C Research and Business Writing in Agricultural and Life Sciences	3
CHM 2046 and 2046L General Chemistry 2, 3 credits, and CHM 2046L General Chemistry 2 Laboratory, 1 credit GE-P	4
Elective	3
Humanities State Core GE-H	3
Social and Behavioral Sciences GE-S	3
Total	16

Semester 4	Credits
AEB 2014 Economic Issues, Food and You or AEB 3103 Principles of Food and Resource Economics or ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics GE-S	3-4
PHY 2004 Applied Physics 1, 3 credits, and PHY 2004L Laboratory for Applied Physics 1, 1 credit	4
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (GE-M) or COP 2800 Computer Programming Using JAVA or equivalent or COP 3275 Computer Programming Using C (GE-M) or equivalent or BSC 2891 Python Programming for Biology	3
Social and Behavioral Sciences GE-S	3
Total	13-14

Semester 5	Credits
CHM 2200 Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry, 3 credits, and CHM 2200L Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry Laboratory, 1 credit	4
PCB 4043C General Ecology, 4 credits, or PCB 3601C Plant Ecology, 3 credits, or BOT 3151C Local Flora, 3 credits, or BSC 3307 Climate Change Biology, 4 credits	3-4
PCB 4674 Evolution	4
Humanities GE-H	3
Total	14-15

Semester 6	Credits
AEC 3030C Effective Oral Communication	3
AGR 3303 Genetics, 3 credits, or PCB 3063 Genetics, 4 credits	3-4
BOT 2710 Practical Plant Taxonomy GE-B	3
BOT4935 / 5225C Plant Anatomy, 4 credits, or PCB 3023 Essential Cell Biology, 3 credits	3-4
Mathematics GE-M; if COP 2800 or BSC 2891 taken for computational requirement; or elective	3
Total	15-17

Semester 7	Credits
BOT 3503 Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants, 3 credits, and BOT 3503L Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants Laboratory, 2 credits	5
PCB 4043C General Ecology, 4 credits, or PCB 3601C Plant Ecology, 3 credits, or BOT 3151C Local Flora of North Florida, 3 credits, or BSC 3307 Climate Change Biology, 4 credits	3-4
Approved botany elective	6
Other elective	3
Total	17-18

Semester 8	Credits
BSC 4936 Critical Analysis of Biological Research	2
Biodiversity breadth course	4
Electives	10
Total	16

Botanical Research

Critical Tracking Model Semester Plan

This option provides a strong background in the basic sciences and research, and is intended for students who plan to attend graduate school. Minimum grades of C are required in the foundation and botany major requirements.