Program Information
Chair: Marta L. Wayne
Graduate Coordinator: John (Gordon) Burleigh
The Department of Biology offers graduate work in Botany leading to the degrees of Master of Science, Master of Science in Teaching, and Doctor of Philosophy.
The Department offers studies in the areas of biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, physiology, ecology, systematics, and evolution. Specific areas of specialization include anatomy/morphology with emphasis on extant and fossil vascular plants; ecology and environmental studies including ecosystem ecology, conservation biology and genetics, fire ecology, exotic invasive species, and tropical botany and ecology; cell biology with emphasis on the cytoskeleton and cell morphogenesis; physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology with emphasis on photosynthesis, growth and development of angiosperms, protein phosphorylation and signal transduction, global analysis of spatial patterns of gene expression; plant secondary metabolism and proteomics; systematics with emphasis on DNA- and morphology-based phylogenetic analyses, phylogeographic studies, molecular evolution/development, and monographic and floristic studies. To be considered for admission to graduate studies, students should have:
- The equivalent of an undergraduate degree in botany or biology with basic course work in their area of interest
- Acceptable GRE scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing)
- Letters of recommendation
- International students must submit an acceptable score on one of the following: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language: computer=213, paper=550, web=80), IELTS (International English Language Testing System: 6), MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery: 77), or successful completion of the UF English Language Institute program. The program of graduate study for each student will be determined by a supervisory committee, and deficiencies in background coursework will be made up early in the graduate program. No more than 9 credits of BOT 6905 Individual Studies in Botany (1-3 cr.) may be used to satisfy the credit requirements for a master’s degree.
Degrees Offered with a Major in Botany
- Doctor of Philosophy
- without a concentration
- concentration in Tropical Conservation and Development
- concentration in Wetland Sciences
- Master of Science
- without a concentration
- concentration in Tropical Conservation and Development
- concentration in Wetland Sciences
- Master of Science in Teaching
- without a concentration
- concentration in Tropical Conservation and Development
- concentration in Wetland Sciences
Requirements for these degrees are given in the Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.
Botany Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BOT 5225C | Plant Anatomy | 4 |
| BOT 5305 | Paleobotany | 3 |
| BOT 5505C | Intermediate Plant Physiology | 3 |
| BOT 5625 | Plant Geography | 2 |
| BOT 5655C | Physiological Plant Ecology | 3 |
| BOT 5685C | Tropical Botany | 5 |
| BOT 5695C | Ecosystems of Florida | 4 |
| BOT 5725C | Taxonomy of Vascular Plants | 4 |
| BOT 6508C | Proteomics Theory and Practice | 3 |
| BOT 6516 | Plant Metabolism | 3 |
| BOT 6566 | Plant Growth and Development | 3 |
| BOT 6656 | Plant Symbiosis | 3 |
| BOT 6716C | Advanced Taxonomy | 2 |
| BOT 6726C | Principles of Systematic Biology | 4 |
| BOT 6905 | Individual Studies in Botany | 1-3 |
| BOT 6910 | Supervised Research | 1-5 |
| BOT 6927 | Advances in Botany | 1-3 |
| BOT 6935 | Special Topics | 1-4 |
| BOT 6936 | Graduate Student Seminar | 1-2 |
| BOT 6971 | Research for Master's Thesis | 1-15 |
| BOT 7979 | Advanced Research | 1-12 |
| BOT 7980 | Research for Doctoral Dissertation | 1-15 |
| PCB 5046C | Advanced Ecology | 3 |
| PCB 5338 | Principles of Ecosystem Ecology | 3 |
| PCB 5356 | Tropical Ecology | 3 |
| PCB 6675C | Evolutionary Biogeography | 3 |
| PLP 6656C | Fungal Biology | 4 |
Biology Departmental Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BOT 6276C | Phylogenomics | 4 |
| BOT 6656 | Plant Symbiosis | 3 |
| BSC 6038 | Broader Impacts of Science on Society | 2 |
| BSC 6451 | Computational Tools for Research in Biology | 3 |
| PCB 6675C | Evolutionary Biogeography | 3 |
| PCB 6685 | Population Genetics | 4 |
| ZOO 6930 | Seminar in Molecular Evolution | 2 |
Botany (PHD)
SLO 1 Knowledge
Students will identify, define, and describe basic fundamentals of biology and a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of botany
SLO 2 Skills
Students will design a research project, collect data, analyze and interpret the results. They will be able to present the results of original research in oral and written form
SLO 3 Skills
Students design a research project, collect data, analyze and interpret the results. They will be able to present the results of original research in oral and written form
SLO 4 Professional Behavior
Students will practice ethical behaviors and professional conduct
SLO 5 Professional Behavior
Students will be able to interact and communicate with professionals at scientific conferences
Botany (MS)
SLO 1 Knowledge
Students will identify, define, and describe the basic fundamentals of biology and botany
SLO 2 Skills
Students will design a research project, collect data, analyze and interpret the results and present this in written and oral form
SLO 3 Professional Behavior
Students will practice ethical behaviors and professional conduct
SLO 4 Professional Behavior
Students will interact and communicate with professionals at scientific conferences, and practice ethical behaviors and professional conduct
Botany (MST)
SLO 1 Knowledge
Students will identify, define, and describe the basic fundamentals of botany and pedagogy.
SLO 2 Skills
Students will teach botany and biology classroom sessions
SLO 3 Professional Behavior
Students will interact and communicate with professionals at scientific conferences, and practice ethical behaviors and professional conduct