Botany & Biology

The Undergraduate Program


The Department of Botany/Biology offers broad undergraduate preparation in the basic concepts and principles of the life sciences with major emphasis on both plant and animal forms. Various curricular options are available for specific career interests.

Biology

The biology major is available for the student seeking broad biological training. Required courses for this curriculum include the following: A student is expected to take approximately an equal number of credits in botany and zoology with the distribution of course work in the two fields determined by the student in consultation with his/her adviser.

A list of courses that meet the required categories of systematics, anatomy/morphology, physiology, computer science, and earth sciences may be obtained from the departmental office. Requirements for secondary school comprehensive science education, environmental studies, traditional course sequences, and pre-professional programs may all be fulfilled under the biology major.

A minor in biology consists of at least 18 credits, including Biology 150, Botany 170, Zoology 170, and 6-8 credits selected from 300- and 400-level courses in botany, zoology, or biology.

Students interested in majoring in a specific biological science (animal science, botany, entomology, horticulture, microbiology, plant pathology, zoology) should consult the appropriate discipline.

Environmental Science Option

For students interested in careers that address solving environmental problems, there is the biology major with an environmental option. This rigorous option incorporates balanced studies in the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, and earth sciences) with social sciences (economics, political science, and sociology). It also involves technology, business, law, ethics, and human relations and behavior. Students interested in this option should visit with an adviser to obtain the specific requirements.

Biology Teaching Option

Students who intend to teach biology in the secondary schools should make their intentions known to the School of Education and consult with a biology education adviser in the botany/biology department early in their programs to make certain that they have a well-designed program and take the professional education courses required for state teacher certification.

Comprehensive Science

The comprehensive science education major is designed to prepare the secondary general science teacher. This major is an especially good preparation for the student who may find her/himself teaching several different science courses. Information about curriculum and other requirements is available from the School of Education and the education adviser in the botany/biology department.

Biology Sample Curriculum

  Credits
First Year Fall Spring
BIOL 150, 151 Gen. Biology, Lab. 5  
BOT or ZOO 170 Plant Form/Diversity OR General Zoology   4
CHEM 120, 130, 121, 131 General Chem. I, II, Labs 4 4
ENGL 110, 111 Writing and Reading I, II 3 3
MATH 146 Calc. for Soc. and Life Sci. 4  
UNIV 199 Skills for Success 1  
Computer Science   3
Wellness   2
Totals 17 16
 
Second Year Fall Spring
BIOL 364 General Ecology   3
BOT 311, 312 Genetics, Lab 4  
CHEM 241 Organic Chemistry   3
SPCM 110 Fund. of Public Speaking 3  
STAT 330 Intro. to Statistics 3  
ZOO or BOT 170 Gen. Zoo. OR Plant Form/Diversity   4
Social Science 3 3
Electives 3 3
Totals 16 16
 
Third Year Fall Spring
BIOC 260 or 460 Elements of Biochem. OR Biochem. and Molec. Biology I 4  
PHYS 121, 122, 123, 124 General Physics I, II and Labs 4 4
ZOO 370 Cell Biology   3
Biological Sci. or Ed. Req./Elec.  3 3
Earth Science 3 3
Humanities 3 3
Totals 17 16
 
Fourth Year Fall Spring
BIOL 459 Evolution   3
BIOL 498 Senior Seminar   1
Biol./Sci. Electives 8 6
Education and/or Electives 8 6
Totals 16 16
 
Curriculum Total 130

Botany

Departmental instruction is offered in the major areas of plant science for students in all colleges of the University, but botany courses and instructional procedures are specially designed for undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Science and Mathematics and the College of Agriculture. Completion of an undergraduate major prepares the students for graduate work or for professional employment. Botany joins with zoology in offering an undergraduate major in biological sciences. Graduate work in plant science is offered at both the M.S. and Ph.D. levels.

Majors in botany are required to take a minimum of 25 credits in botany, plus additional credits in related fields. Required courses include the following:

Students seeking broad biological training should refer to the biology information. In addition to botany and zoology as recommended by their adviser, students should also have inorganic and organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, computer science, statistics, and fulfill the general requirements of the College of Science and Mathematics. Students are expected to take approximately equal credit hours in both botany and zoology, but the exact distribution of course work in the two fields will be deter- mined in consultation with their adviser.

Environmental Studies

Environmental problems are a concern of all citizens as we become increasingly aware of the fragile balances that exist in our environment. The College of Science and Mathematics offers a three-course sequence designed to give a broad overview of these problems and approaches to solving them. These courses are Biol 113- Environmental Science; Phys 219-Energy and Society; and Geol 120-Physical Geology. These courses have no prerequisites and may be taken in any order. All students, regardless of their science backgrounds, are encouraged to take this series to improve their understanding of the interrelationships between human beings and the planet we inhabit.

Botany Sample Curriculum

  Credits
First Year Fall Spring
BIOL 150, 151 Gen. Biology, Lab. 4,1  
BOT 170 Plant Form/Diversity   4
CHEM 120, 130 General Chem. I, Lab 3,1  
CHEM 121, 131 General Chem. II, Lab   3,1
ENGL 110, 111 Writing and Reading I, Il 3 3
MATH 146 Calc. for Soc. and Life Sci. 4  
STAT 330 Intro. to Statistics   3
UNIV 199 Skills for Success 1  
Computer Science   2
Totals 17 16
 
Second Year Fall Spring
BOT 311, 312 Genetics, Lab 3,1  
BOT 314 Systematic Botany   3
CHEM 241 Survey of Organic Chemistry   3
PHYS 121, 122 Gen Physics I, Lab 3,1  
PHYS 123, 124 Gen Physics II, Lab   3,1
SOILS 210 (4) or GEOL 120 (3), 121 (1) Intro. to Statistics 4  
ZOO 170 General Zoology 4  
Humanities and Fine Arts   3
Soc. and Behav. Science   3
Totals 16 16
 
Third Year Fall Spring
BIOC 260 Elements of Biochem.   4
BOT 380 Plant Physiology 4  
BOT 452 Plant Structure 3  
SPCM 110 Fund. of Public Speaking 3  
Botany Elective    3
Humanities and Fine Arts   3
Social and Behav. Sci. 3  
Wellness   2
Electives 3 3
Totals 16 15
 
Fourth Year Fall Spring
BIOL 459 Evolution   3
BOT 460 Plant Ecology 3  
BOT 471 or 472 Phycology or Lichenology 3  
BOT 498 Seminar   1
MICR 350, 351 General Microbiology, Lab 3,1  
BOT (400 or above)   3
Humanities and Fine Arts   3
Social and Behav. Sci. 3  
Electives 3 6
Totals 16 16
 
Curriculum Total 128

Return to Top Prospective students may schedule a visit by calling 1-800-488-NDSU.

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