Botanical Research

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, evolution, cells and tissues, molecular biology, and biodiversity of plants.

About this Program

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

Department Information

The Department of Biology studies life at all levels from molecules to the biosphere to understand the evolution, structure, maintenance and dynamics of biological systems. The department's teaching and research provide the integrative and conceptual foundations of the life sciences.
Website

CONTACT

Email | 352.273.0125 (tel) | 352.392.3704 (fax)

P.O. BOX 118525
220 BARTRAM HALL
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-8525
Map

Curriculum

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.

Specializations

General Botany

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.

Botanical Research

For students who intend to pursue a graduate degree, and requires research with a faculty member. This specialization provides the coursework background typically required by botany graduate programs. Students are encouraged to consult with an advisor and biology faculty member when deciding on which courses to take.

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 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 or chemistry, 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 BS in botany and have the coursework and preparation for professional teacher certification in Florida when they graduate.
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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.

CLAS Biology, Botany, and Zoology 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. 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 of drop/add. If the window is missed, students should still contact potential research mentors to discuss upcoming opportunities.
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Botanical Research

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.

Required Foundation Courses
Select one:4-8
BOT 2010C
& BOT 2011C
Introductory Botany
and Plant Diversity (preferred) 1
OR
BSC 2010
& 2010L
Integrated Principles of Biology 1
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 1 (AND)
BSC 2011
& 2011L
Integrated Principles of Biology 2
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 2 (8 credits total)
CHM 2045
& 2045L		General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory		4
CHM 2046
& 2046L		General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory		4
Select one option:8-10
Option A
CHM 2210
& CHM 2211
Organic Chemistry 1
and Organic Chemistry 2
CHM 2211L
Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Option B
CHM 3217
& CHM 3218
Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry 1
and Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry 2
CHM 2211L
Organic Chemistry Laboratory
MAC 2311Analytic Geometry and Calculus 14
Select one:3
STA 2023
Introduction to Statistics 1
COP 2800
Computer Programming Using JAVA (or equivalent)
COP 3275
Computer Programming Using C (or equivalent)
BSC 2891
Python Programming for Biology
Select one option:8-10
Option A
PHY 2053
& 2053L
Physics 1
and Laboratory for Physics 1
PHY 2054
& 2054L
Physics 2
and Laboratory for Physics 2
Option B
PHY 2048
& 2048L
Physics with Calculus 1
and Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 1
PHY 2049
& 2049L
Physics with Calculus 2
and Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 2
Required Courses for the Botanical Research Specialization
AGR 3303Genetics3-4
or PCB 3063 Genetics
PCB 4674Evolution4
BOT 2710CPractical Plant Taxonomy3
BOT 3503
& 3503L		Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants
and Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants Laboratory		5
BOT 4911Undergraduate Research in Botany2
BSC 3911Entering Research in Biology 21
BSC 4936Critical Analysis of Biological Research2
Ecology and Florida Biodiversity
Select two:6-8
PCB 4043C
General Ecology
PCB 3601C
Plant Ecology
BOT 3151C
Local Flora of North Florida
BSC 3307C
Climate Change Biology
Cells and Tissues
Select one:3-4
BOT 4935/5225C
Special Topics (Plant anatomy)
PCB 3023
Essential Cell Biology
BCH 4024
Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Biodiversity Breadth
Select one:3-4
BOT 2011C
Plant Diversity 1
BOT 4650
Plant Symbiosis
PCB 4460
Biodiversity and Ecology Field Immersion
ZOO 4205C
Invertebrate Biodiversity
ZOO 4307C
Vertebrate Biodiversity
ZOO 4472C
Avian Biology
ZOO 4926
Special Topics in Zoology (Mammalogy)
ENY 3005
& 3005L
Principles of Entomology
and Principles of Entomology Laboratory
WIS 4934
Topics in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (Mammalogy)
PLP 3002C
Fundamentals of Plant Pathology
PLP 4653C
Basic Fungal Biology
MCB 2000
& 2000L
Microbiology
and Microbiology Laboratory
MCB 3020
& 3020L
Basic Biology of Microorganisms
and Laboratory for Basic Biology of Microorganisms
Total Credits67-80
1

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

2

Must be taken concurrently with BOT 4911.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward 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

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 a 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

  • Complete all 5 critical-tracking courses, including labs, with a 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 6

  • Complete at least 2 required courses for this specialization
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 7

Semester 8

  • Complete all remaining major course requirements
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.

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).

CHM 2211, CHM 2211L, PHY 2054, PHY 2054L, PHY 2049, and PHY 2049L count towards 3000 level or above electives outside of the major. COP 3275 may also count towards the requirement if taken.

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.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) 3
BSC 1920 First Year Introduction: Biology at UF (recommended elective) 1
CHM 2045
& 2045L		 General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences)		 4
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics) 4
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
 Credits15
Semester Two
Select one: 3-4
BSC 2010
& 2010L
 Integrated Principles of Biology 1
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
BOT 2010C
 Introductory Botany (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
CHM 2046
& 2046L		 General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences)		 4
State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
Elective 2
 Credits15-16
Semester Three
Quest 2 (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Science) 3
Select one: 4
BSC 2011
& 2011L
 Integrated Principles of Biology 2
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
BOT 2011C
 Plant Diversity (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry 1 (Gen Ed Physical Sciences) 3
State Core Gen Ed Humanities 3
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
 Credits16
Semester Four
CHM 2211
& 2211L		 Organic Chemistry 2
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory		 5
PHY 2053
& 2053L		 Physics 1
and Laboratory for Physics 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences)		 5
Select one: 3
STA 2023
 Introduction to Statistics 1 (Gen Ed Mathematics)
COP 2800
 Computer Programming Using JAVA (or equivalent)
COP 3275
 Computer Programming Using C (or equivalent; Gen Ed Mathematics)
BSC 2891
 Python Programming for Biology
Elective or Gen Ed Mathematics 1 3
 Credits16
Semester Five
Select one: 3-4
PCB 4043C
 General Ecology (Critical Tracking)
PCB 3601C
 Plant Ecology (Critical Tracking)
BOT 3151C
 Local Flora of North Florida (Critical Tracking)
BSC 3307C
 Climate Change Biology (Critical Tracking)
PCB 4674 Evolution (Critical Tracking) 4
PHY 2054
& 2054L		 Physics 2
and Laboratory for Physics 2		 5
Gen Ed Humanities 3
 Credits15-16
Semester Six
BOT 2710C Practical Plant Taxonomy (Critical Tracking) 3
Select one: 3-4
BOT 4935/5225C
 Special Topics (Plant Anatomy; Critical Tracking)
PCB 3023
 Essential Cell Biology (Critical Tracking)
BCH 4024
 Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Critical Tracking)
Electives 4
Foreign language 5
 Credits15-16
Semester Seven
AGR 3303
or PCB 3063
 Genetics (Critical Tracking)
or Genetics
 3-4
BOT 4911
& BSC 3911		 Undergraduate Research in Botany
and Entering Research in Biology (Critical Tracking)		 4
Select one: 3-4
PCB 4043C
 General Ecology (Critical Tracking)
PCB 3601C
 Plant Ecology (Critical Tracking)
BOT 3151C
 Local Flora of North Florida (Critical Tracking)
BSC 3307C
 Climate Change Biology (Critical Tracking)
Foreign language 5
 Credits15-17
Semester Eight
BOT 3503
& 3503L		 Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants
and Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants Laboratory		 5
BSC 4936 Critical Analysis of Biological Research 2
Biodiversity breadth course 3-4
Elective 3
 Credits13-14
 Total Credits120
1

Gen Ed Mathematics if COP 2800 or BSC 2891 taken for computational requirement.

The Botany major is offered by both the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. This major provides a foundation in the life sciences with emphasis on plant systems. Students will learn the diversity of life, the structure of organisms and ecosystems and how they function (i.e., the acquisition, flow, organization and uses of information, energy and nutrients in living systems). Students will learn the scientific method and how it facilitates the discovery of new knowledge in botany and biology, including how to critically evaluate hypotheses and conclusions.

Before Graduating Students Must

  • Achieve acceptable performance in all required botany courses.
  • Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

  1. Identify, describe, and explain the basic terminology, concepts, methodologies, and theories used within the biological sciences.

Critical Thinking

  1. Analyze biological information and develop reasoned solutions to problems using the processes and applications of scientific inquiry.
  2. Discriminate ethical behavior from unethical behavior in scientific research.

Communication

  1. Communicate knowledge, ideas, and reasoning clearly and effectively in written or oral forms appropriate to the biological sciences.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3 SLO 4
BOT 2011C R R I
BOT 2710 R R R
BOT 3503 and BOT 3503L R/A R/A R/A
BSC 2010 I I I
BSC 2011 I I
PCB 3601C R/A R/A R/A R/A
PCB 4043C R/A R/A R/A R/A

Assessment Types

  • Major field test for biology
  • Bioethics quiz
  • Scientific paper