Plant Biology will be one of the most active fields of science in the 21st century. Scientists have begun unlocking the secrets of the plant world and are using that information to fight hunger and disease, improve human health, develop new consumer products and pharmaceuticals, produce biofuels, reclaim damaged and disturbed landscapes, protect biodiversity and fragile ecosystems, and to conserve vital natural resources. This progress has been made possible by basic scientific research in numerous areas of plant science, including anatomy, biochemistry, cell biology, ecology, genetics, molecular biology, physiology, and systematics. While some plant biologists look below the cell level to understand the differences and similarities between plants and other organisms, others work above the cell and organism level by examining the relationships and interaction between plants and their environment. Plant biology is a diverse field of science where you can be intensely focused on a single question, or more interdisciplinary questions, crossing over into other scientific fields (microbiology, chemistry, zoology, human biology, medicine, computer science, physics, anthropology).
There are a variety of opportunities for students trained in the fundamentals of plant biology and who may also have practical laboratory or field experience in plant biology. An undergraduate degree in Plant Biology can lead to careers in education, industry, research, as well as state and federal agencies. The Bachelor of Science option in out undergraduate degree has also been designed to prepare students for advanced graduate study in plant biology and other scientific disciplines. Completing a graduate degree in plant biology can lead to an even wider range of research and career opportunities. Regardless of the career path you choose, you will need a solid foundation on which to build your future. The Plant Biology program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale provides that foundation with a challenging curriculum that offers modern courses in Plant Biology and opportunities for undergraduate research.
The
faculty in
the Department of Plant Biology are organized into three
research
clusters, or nodes. The three nodes are: 1) Ecology, 2) Molecular
& Biochemical Physiology, and 3) Systematics
& Biodiversity.
These research areas reflect the research strengths
and interests of the faculty. Faculty
conduct research in the subject matter related to their node, but
frequently
cross boundaries between nodes to interact with other faculty. Departmental faculty collaborate
with colleagues in other scientific disciplines at SIUC and other
universities,
institutes, and agencies around the world.
This node structure can benefit undergraduate majors
because it provides
opportunities to specialize within plant biology and to become involved
in interdisciplinary
research.
Courses for Degree Requirements
The undergraduate curriculum allows
students the option
to gain general training in Plant Biology or to specialize in Ecology
and
Conservation Biology, Molecular and Biochemical
Physiology, or Systematics and Biodiversity. The
general plant
biology option emphasizes breadth in Plant Biology rather than depth
and allows
students to select courses from the entire curriculum.
Students who want to specialize in one of the
three areas above would select from a list of specific courses,
tailoring the available courses to their current and future interests. Students can switch
between options during
their program, but they are strongly advised to consult with the
undergraduate
advisor and faculty in the various nodes before choosing to do so.
The number of credits required for a major in Plant Biology depends upon whether students wish to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. The primary differences between the two is that the BS degree requires additional courses in mathematics, chemistry, and physics and is intended primarily for students who intend to pursue a graduate degree in the sciences. Both degree programs require 76-78 semester-hour credits and begin with a core series of Plant Biology, Biology, and Chemistry courses. Students pursuing the BA option fulfill the remaining 18-20 credit hours with electives. For students pursuing the BS degree, additional Chemistry and/or Physics courses are required, with 7-9 credits left for electives. Choice of electives depends upon the student's interests and selection of the general or specialization option. Each node provides specific recommendations concerning the allocation of elective hours and advises students individually. Click here to see the course requirements for the two undergraduate majors and their specializations. To download a checklist that you can use to keep track of your course requirements, click here for the BA degree and here for the BS degree.
Undergraduate
Research
in Plant Biology
One
important aspect of the
Plant Biology program at SIUC is the emphasis on undergraduate
research. While
undergraduates at other colleges and
universities spend nearly all their undergraduate program in lecture
halls and
teaching laboratories, many of our students have the chance to work
side by
side with the faculty, participating in the professor's research. The
research
interests of Plant Biology faculty can be reached
through the web pages
for each member of the department.
Quite
often, students are given the chance to pursue their own original
experiments. Undergraduate
researchers in the Plant
Biology program present their work at the annual meeting of the Illinois
State Academy of Science, a gathering attended by
faculty and students
from across the state, and at other professional venues. Plant Biology students
have in the past earned
prizes and research grants for their projects.
Undergraduates from our program have frequently received
the highest honors
from the Botanical Society of America, one of the
leading professional
societies for scientists in plant biology.
This practical scientific experience and
recognition is one of the most attractive aspects of the Plant Biology
program.
Until recently, undergraduate research has been an informal part of the learning experience at SIUC. With the success of our undergraduate researchers and the active participation of new faculty in the Department of Plant Biology, undergraduate research is being formally integrated into the curricular structure, at least for the specialization options. A minimum number of research hour credits will be required, with students mentored by one or more faculty in the corresponding node. All phases of scientific research will be emphasized, from the initial design of the experiment to the analysis, preparation, and presentation of the data. While this requirement will present a challenge to undergraduates in Plant Biology, this experience will make them more competitive in today's job market.
Undergraduate
Research
at SIUC
Each
year at SIUC, about 20 undergraduates
are selected to receive
$1,500 grants to support an
original creative or scholarly project done in partnership with a
faculty
mentor. The
application deadline is
usually in February, and the one-year grants begin in July. Students present results
at the Undergraduate
Research Forum, held in April. For
more
information, see the Office of Research Development and Administration
website
by clicking here
(telephone 453-4540).
One of the best ways to find out about the Plant Biology program is to talk to faculty in the department, as well as undergraduates already enrolled. The chairman of Plant Biology and current undergraduate advisor (Dr. Dale Vitt) is always willing to answer any questions you may have.
SIUC /
URL: http://www.science.siu.edu/plant-biology/program-ugrad.html
Last updated: 18-Jan-08 / dln