Botany Undergraduate Major (BS, HBS)
This program is available at the following locations:
- Corvallis
- Ecampus
Options available:
- Comprehensive Botany
- Customizable
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation
- Molecular, Cellular, and Genomic Botany
- Mycology and Plant Pathology
Botany and plant pathology study plants at all levels of biological organization, from molecular processes to global ecosystems, addressing diverse issues in plant biology. Plant scientists will tackle fundamental questions and provide insights for producing food, fiber, and medicine for a growing population, while enhancing our understanding of plant diversity and ecological interactions.
OSU's Botany and Plant Pathology program equips students with essential science knowledge, allowing them to specialize in areas within plant science. The undergraduate program offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Botany and supports students in other fields needing plant biology expertise, such as biology or environmental sciences.
Graduates can pursue advanced studies in plant biology and pathology or find positions in government agencies and industries related to plants and their products.
Prospective botany majors should have a strong high school background in biological and physical sciences, including three years of math (algebra, geometry, trigonometry), and one year each of chemistry, biology, physics, plus courses in computer and writing skills. Students lacking this background can catch up early in their college careers. We also offer a minor for students who do not have a Botany major.
Completion of one of the following options is required for the BS in Botany:
- Comprehensive Botany (Corvallis campus only)
- Customizable (Ecampus and Corvallis campus)
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation (Corvallis campus only)
- Molecular, Cellular, and Genomic Botany (Corvallis campus only)
- Mycology and Plant Pathology (Ecampus and Corvallis campus)
Major Code: 515
Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:
- Communicate analysis of laboratory methods and experimental results.
- Explain interdisciplinary approaches used to determine the mechanisms that direct the flow of energy, materials and information in plant growth, development, and responses to external factors.
- Synthesize the complex network of biotic and abiotic interactions within ecosystems that determine energy flow, cycling of water, carbon, and nutrients and underlie local, regional, and global patterns in plant species richness and diversity.
- Identify and analyze the anatomical and morphological structures of plants that enable function and recognize structural differences between plant groups.
- Apply the diagnostic features of vascular plant groups to identify plant species and evaluate their phylogenetic relationships to understand the evolutionary origins of diversity and characters.
The required curriculum meets the course requirements of the university and the College of Agricultural Sciences and provides for a broad background in plant science. Completing an option and engaging in an experiential learning activity allows students to fulfill their individual education goals and prepare for career aspirations.
Students majoring in Botany cannot seek a dual or double major in Biology.
All Botany undergraduate majors are required to do the following:
- Complete the core course curriculum meeting the requirements of the university, College of Agricultural Sciences, and Botany academic requirements.
- Select and complete the course curriculum of a 21-credit option to obtain advanced scientific background and skills in a particular area of plant science. Students may select a pre-determined botany option from the catalog or create a customized option with approval of a BOT advisor. Coursework delivered in the options provides students with advanced knowledge and skills related to the study of plants and plant-like organisms in natural and managed ecosystems and in the laboratory.
- Comprehensive Botany
- Customizable Option
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation
- Molecular, Cellular, and Genomic Botany
- Mycology and Plant Pathology
- Participate in an experiential learning and subsequent student seminar. Every Botany major is required to have an experiential learning (EL) component in their curriculum that is not part of a scheduled academic course. The EL component can take many forms but must involve a minimum of 60 hours of work and must have a substantial educational objective that is related to the BOT degree. Students should complete an experiential learning activity before the beginning of their fourth year.
- Academic credit is not required but may be earned by enrolling in research (BOT 401), curatorial projects (BOT 406), or an internship (BOT 410); non-credit options for research (BOT 003) and internship (BOT 004) are also available. Paid and voluntary positions are both acceptable. To meet the requirement, the student and the EL supervisor must complete an Experiential Learning Activity form that is approved by a Botany advisor. After completion of the EL project, the student is required to participate in a 1-credit professional skills development course (BOT 411), to reflect on the EL project and to incorporate it into career planning activities.
- Complete a total of 60 upper-division credits (300-400 level).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| AG 311 | +*INDIGENOUS AGRICULTURE AND SUBSISTENCE | 3 |
| or FW 340 | +*POWER AND JUSTICE IN U.S. NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | |
| or GEOG 333/ENSC 333 | +*ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE | |
| or SUS 331 | +*SUSTAINABILITY, JUSTICE, AND ENGAGEMENT | |
| Biology | ||
| Select one of the following biology series: | 15 | |
| Series A | ||
| +*PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: CELLS and *PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: ORGANISMS and *PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION | ||
| Series B | ||
| +*INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY I and *INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY II and *INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY III | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| GENETICS | ||
| PLANT GENETICS and PLANT GENETICS RECITATION | ||
| Chemistry | ||
| Select one of the following chemistry series: | 15 | |
| Series A | ||
| +GENERAL CHEMISTRY | ||
| *GENERAL CHEMISTRY | ||
| *GENERAL CHEMISTRY | ||
| Series B | ||
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY I and +*GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY | ||
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY II and *GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY | ||
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY III and *GENERAL CHEMISTRY III LABORATORY | ||
| CH 331 & CH 332 | ORGANIC CHEMISTRY and ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | 8 |
| Biochemistry | ||
| BB 314 | CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4-7 | |
| ELEMENTARY BIOCHEMISTRY | ||
| GENERAL BIOCHEMISTRY and GENERAL BIOCHEMISTRY | ||
| Mathematics | ||
| Select two courses from the following: | 8 | |
| +*PRECALCULUS I: FUNCTIONS | ||
| +*PRECALCULUS II: TRIGONOMETRY | ||
| +*CALCULUS AND PROBABILITY FOR THE LIFE SCIENCES I | ||
| CALCULUS AND PROBABILITY FOR THE LIFE SCIENCES II | ||
| +*CALCULUS FOR MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCE | ||
| +*MATHEMATICS FOR MANAGEMENT, LIFE, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES | ||
| +*DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS | ||
| INTEGRAL CALCULUS | ||
| Statistics | ||
| ST 351 | INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL METHODS | 4 |
| Additional Quantitative Skills | ||
| Select a minimum of two courses from the following: | 7-9 | |
| USE AND ABUSE OF DATA: CRITICAL THINKING IN SCIENCE | ||
| FOUNDATIONS OF BIOLOGICAL DATA SCIENCES | ||
| COMPUTATIONAL APPROACHES FOR BIOLOGICAL DATA | ||
| +*SOIL SCIENCE | ||
| SOIL SCIENCE and +*SOIL SCIENCE LABORATORY FOR SOIL 205 | ||
| GISCIENCE I: GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND THEORY | ||
| GIS AND SPATIAL DATA SCIENCE | ||
| +*GENERAL PHYSICS | ||
| *GENERAL PHYSICS | ||
| NUTRIENT CYCLING IN AGROECOSYSTEMS | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL METHODS | ||
| METHODS OF DATA ANALYSIS | ||
Others by approval of advisor (or additional courses from Mathematics block) | ||
| Writing Intensive Course | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| ^FLOWERING PLANTS OF THE WORLD | ||
| ^AG AND ENVIRONMENTAL PREDICAMENTS: A CASE STUDY APPROACH | ||
| ^WORLD SOIL RESOURCES | ||
| ^ENVIRONMENTAL WRITING | ||
| Botany Core | ||
| BOT 220 | +*INTRODUCTION TO PLANT BIOLOGY | 4 |
| BOT 313 | PLANT STRUCTURE | 4 |
| BOT 321 | PLANT SYSTEMATICS | 4 |
| BOT 331 | PLANT PHYSIOLOGY | 4 |
| BOT 332 | LABORATORY TECHNIQUES IN PLANT BIOLOGY | 3 |
| BOT 341 | PLANT ECOLOGY | 4 |
| BOT 407 | SEMINAR | 1 |
| Select one non-vascular plant course from the following: | 4 | |
| AQUATIC BOTANY | ||
| PHYCOLOGY | ||
| MYCOLOGY | ||
| LICHENOLOGY | ||
| BRYOLOGY | ||
| Experiential Learning | ||
| Select one of the following or another experience with advisor approval: | 0-2 | |
| RESEARCH | ||
| PROJECTS: CURATORIAL ASSISTANT | ||
| INTERNSHIP | ||
| UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH | ||
| INTERNSHIP | ||
| Complete an experiential learning experience prior to enrolling in: | ||
| BOT 411 | +LEVERAGING YOUR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING | 1 |
| Required Option | ||
| Complete 21 credits in fulfillment of a transcript-visible option 1 | 21 | |
| Remaining Core Ed and Electives | 47-55 | |
| Total Credits | 180 | |
- *
Baccalaureate Core course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in a catalog year up to 2024-2025
- +
Core Education course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in catalog year 2025-2026 and beyond
- ^
Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC) course
- 1
Students are encouraged to speak with an academic advisor to help ensure that electives best fit the desired option, career path or interests
Degree plans are subject to change and the following is only an example of how students may complete their degree in four years. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best degree plan for them. Contact details for advisors can be found on the Academic Advising page.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| BI 221Z or BI 204 | +*PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: CELLS or +*INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY I | 5 |
| CH 121 | +GENERAL CHEMISTRY or GENERAL CHEMISTRY I and +*GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY | 5 |
| Math Course | 4 | |
| Core Ed: Transitions | 2 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| BI 222Z or BI 205 | *PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: ORGANISMS or *INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY II | 5 |
| CH 122 | *GENERAL CHEMISTRY or GENERAL CHEMISTRY II and *GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY | 5 |
| WR 121Z | +*COMPOSITION I | 4 |
| Math Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| BI 223Z or BI 206 | *PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION or *INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY III | 5 |
| CH 123 | *GENERAL CHEMISTRY or GENERAL CHEMISTRY III and *GENERAL CHEMISTRY III LABORATORY | 5 |
| Additional Quantitative Skills | 4 | |
| Core Ed: Communication, Media & Society | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BOT 220 | +*INTRODUCTION TO PLANT BIOLOGY | 4 |
| CH 331 | ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | 4 |
| Core Ed: Arts & Humanities General | 3-4 | |
| Core Ed: Quantitative Literacy & Analysis | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| BB 314 | CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY | 4 |
| BOT 313 | PLANT STRUCTURE | 4 |
| CH 332 | ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | 4 |
| Core Ed: Arts & Humanities Global | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BOT 321 | PLANT SYSTEMATICS | 4 |
| ST 351 | INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL METHODS | 4 |
| Core Ed: Social Science | 3-4 | |
| Additional Quantitative Skills | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BB 450 or BB 350 | GENERAL BIOCHEMISTRY or ELEMENTARY BIOCHEMISTRY | 4 |
| Non-Vascular Plant Course | 4 | |
| Option Course | 3 | |
| Experiential Learning Activity | 0-2 | |
| Core Ed: Difference, Power & Oppression Foundations | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Winter | ||
| BB 451 | GENERAL BIOCHEMISTRY (or Free Elective) | 3 |
| BI 311 | GENETICS or PLANT GENETICS and PLANT GENETICS RECITATION | 4 |
| Approved WIC Course | 3-4 | |
| Option Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| AG 311 | +*INDIGENOUS AGRICULTURE AND SUBSISTENCE or +*POWER AND JUSTICE IN U.S. NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT or +*ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE or +*SUSTAINABILITY, JUSTICE, AND ENGAGEMENT | 3 |
| BOT 331 | PLANT PHYSIOLOGY | 4 |
| Option Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BOT 407 | SEMINAR | 1 |
| Option Course | 4 | |
| Option Course | 4 | |
| Core Ed: Writing Elevation | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| BOT 332 | LABORATORY TECHNIQUES IN PLANT BIOLOGY | 3 |
| BOT 411 | +LEVERAGING YOUR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING | 1 |
| Core Ed: Seeking Solutions | 3-4 | |
| Option Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| BOT 341 | PLANT ECOLOGY | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Total Credits | 180 | |
- *
Baccalaureate Core course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in a catalog year up to 2024-2025
- +
Core Education course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in catalog year 2025-2026 and beyond
- ^
Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC) course