Plant Biology

Plants are critical for sustaining life on Earth, from microscopic algae to giant sequoia trees.  Through the study of these organisms, plant biologists play a major role in providing us with more and better foods, in helping to characterize and preserve the quality of our environment, and in learning more about the many ways plants can be used.

The undergraduate major in Plant Biology is designed to provide students with solid preparation in the natural sciences while also offering students the flexibility to take major and elective courses that are tailored to their interests. Students can choose to pursue a general major with courses in different areas of Plant Biology, or can specialize their study in one of the following areas: Ethnobotany; Plant Biotechnology and Cell and Molecular Biology; and Plant Ecology, Biodiversity, and Conservation. Most Plant Biology courses include laboratory or field components that provide students with hands-on experiences.

A substantive research or teaching experience in the plant sciences is required of all students in the major to prepare and help qualify them for post-graduate education or employment in plant biology and the applied plant sciences, health professions, and education. Students work closely with departmental faculty and their academic advisor to identify training and career opportunities that are consistent with their goals.

Watch this video to learn more about Plant Biology.

Courses include:

Perspectives on Botany, Plant Life, Medicinal Plants, Economic Botany, Culinary Botany, Plant Physiology, Paleobotany, Intro. to Plant Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Rare Plants of NC

College
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  • Agriculture
  • Life Sciences
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Skills You Could Develop
  • Analytical & Problem Solving
  • Technical Expertise in a Lab and/or Field Study
  • Scientific Reasoning
  • Technical Communication
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