Plant Biology—Applied Ecology Major (B.S.)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Special curriculum; major code BS2115

The Applied Ecology program prepares students for entry-level environmental science jobs immediately after graduation. In addition to providing a strong background in field botany and ecology, the program offers students experience in a variety of marketable skills including plant identification, vegetation survey techniques, GIS, and greenhouse management. Graduates have jobs in environmental monitoring, rare-plant surveys, high school teaching, project management for nonprofit organizations, horticulture, park management, organic farming, and tree care. Students are strongly encouraged to select the internship option, to enhance job prospects. Listings of internship opportunities can be found at the following web sites:

http://www.thesca.org/
http://www.americorps.org/vista/
http://conbio.org/SCB/Services/Jobs/
http://biology.duke.edu/jackson/ecophys/tech.htm
http://biology.duke.edu/jackson/ecophys/undergrad.htm

College-level Requirements

Please see the appropriate college listing for college-level academic requirements.

Required PBIO courses consist of a minimum of 55 hours, including:

PBIO 114 - Foundations of Plant Biology Credit Hours: 5
PBIO 115 - Plant Structure and Development Credit Hours:
PBIO 209 - Plant Ecology Credit Hours:
PBIO 210 - Plant Physiology Credit Hours:
PBIO 211 - Diversity of Life Credit Hours:
PBIO 309 - Plant Systematics and Ohio Flora Credit Hours:
PBIO 331 - Plant Genetics Credit Hours:

One course from the following:

PBIO 322 - Tropical Plant Ecology Credit Hours:
PBIO 426 - Physiological Plant Ecology Credit Hours:
PBIO 435 - Plant Population Biology Credit Hours: 5
PBIO 436 - Plant Community Ecology Credit Hours:
(Strongly recommended. The vegetation analysis skills taught in PBIO 436 are particularly valuable in the environmental job market.)
PBIO 437 - Ecosystem Ecology Credit Hours:

One course from the following:

PBIO 404 - Undergraduate Research Credit Hours: 2 to 6
PBIO 406 - Undergraduate Research/Written Presentation Credit Hours: 2 to 4
PBIO 407 - Undergraduate Research/Oral Presentation Credit Hours: 2 to 4
PBIO 490 - Internship Credit Hours: 1 to 15

Additional PBIO Courses

Additional PBIO credit hours at 200-level or above to total at least 55 hours, but no more than 80. A maximum of 10 hours of PBIO 404, 406, 407, and 490 combined may count toward the 55-hour requirement. It is recommended that additional courses used to satisfy the 55-hour requirement be selected from: