Botany

The earth on which we live is inhabited by numerous plant species which produce essential materials for the support of humans, other animals and the great diversity of plants themselves. The science of botany is the study of plants including plant structure, function, systematics and ecology. Students study a wide variety of activities such as the relationship of plants to each other and their environment, plant growth and metabolism, classification and identification of plants, plant cell composition and plant heredity.

The Program

The undergraduate program in botany at North Dakota State University is designed for students seeking a better understanding of plants and eventual careers in the plant sciences. The Department of Biological Sciences offers instruction in a number of different areas for majors and for students interested in the applied field of plant sciences. The botany curriculum allows students to become knowledgeable in botany and to pursue individual interests through elective course work. The introductory courses also are of interest to nonmajors seeking a more limited background in science.

A science as broad in scope as botany requires basic knowledge in other disciplines such as chemistry, zoology, physics and mathematics for a complete understanding of plants. These are provided in the curriculum. In addition to these areas of study, students are required to complete course work in the humanities and social sciences.

Faculty and Facilities

Undergraduate students in botany at NDSU receive individual attention in planning course work and careers in botany. The Department of Biological Sciences is composed of 18 faculty members. Each member is experienced in teaching and research. The department is housed in Stevens Hall in which modern classrooms, teaching and research laboratories and a lecture auditorium are available. Opportunity is available for students to conduct individual research projects or to work with ongoing faculty research. Specialized facilities in botany include greenhouses, plant growth chambers, an herbarium, field equipment, transmission and scanning electron microscopes, radioisotope equipment, centrifuges, spectrophotometers and equipment in support of tissue culture and biotechnology.

Career Opportunities

Botanists are employed in government research laboratories and field stations, industry and academic institutions. An undergraduate degree in botany prepares students for professional employment or for graduate studies. Most positions in botany require graduate training and an advanced degree. Botanists fill both training and research positions. Depending on the level of training, they may serve in technical positions or as senior scientists. Botany is a broad field and opportunities exist in the basic subdisciplines of cellular and molecular plant biology, physiology, anatomy, systematics and ecology. A degree in botany also may be the foundation for further study and careers in applied fields of plant pathology, forestry, crop production, horticulture, genetics and plant breeding, plant biotechnology or environmental monitoring and control.

High School Preparation

It is suggested that prospective botany majors develop a strong background in English, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics.

Contact Information

Dr. Will Bleier, Chair

Department of Biological Sciences
North Dakota State University
Stevens Hall 218
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-7087
Fax: (701) 231-7149
Email: William.Bleier@ndsu.edu
Web: biology.ndsu.nodak.edu

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
124 Ceres Hall
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/prospective/students/

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