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.
SIUC /
URL: http://www.science.siu.edu/plant-biology/Undergrad/Curriculum.html
Last updated: 04-June-08 / dln