Botany
What Can I Do With This Degree?


Plant Biology, Applied Plant Science, Research, Organismal Specialties, Education, Writing, Law, Marketing and Administration, Illustration, Computer Programming, General Information
   

AREAS

EMPLOYERS

STRATEGIES

RESOURCES

PLANT BIOLOGY

Anatomy - Microscopic plant structure

Biochemistry - Chemistry of living matter.

Biophysics - Application of physics to plant life processes.

Cytology - Structure, function, and life history of plant cells.

Ecology - Relationship between plants and the world in which they live.

Genetics - Plant heredity and variation.

Molecular Biology - Structure and function of biological molecules.

Morphology - Macroscopic plant forms, evolution, and development.

Paleobotany - Biology and evolution of fossil plants.

Physiology - Functions and vital processes of plants.

Systematics/Taxonomy - Evolutionary history and relationships among plants.

Systems Ecology - Using mathematical models to demonstrate ecological concepts.

Taxonomy - Identification, naming, and classification of plants.

  • Research Organizations
  • Colleges & Universities
  • Museums
  • Botanical gardens and arboretums
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture branches including Medical Plant Resources Laboratory, Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, National Arboretum, U.S. Forest Service.
  • Federal Agencies including Departments of Interior and State, U.S. Public Health Service, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Smithsonian Institution, and Environmental Protection Agency
  • State Agencies
  • Ecological Consulting Companies
  • Industries including petrochemical, chemical, lumber, and paper.
  • Companies including pharmaceutical, food, seed and nursery, fruit growers, biological supply houses, and biotechnology firms.
  • Environmental and biotechnical regulatory agencies.
 
  • Obtain Ph.D. for teaching and advanced research positions.
  • Conduct undergraduate research project.
  • Learn high-technology techniques.
  • Learn federal and state government job application process.

APPLIED PLANT SCIENCE

Agronomy - Crop and soil sciences.  

Biotechnology - Using biological organisms to make useful products.

Breeding - Development of better types of plants.

Economic Botany - Study and development of commercial plant products.

Food Science and Technology - Development of food from plant products.

Forestry - Forest management and timber production.

Horticulture - The production of ornamental plants and fruit and vegetable crops.  Also includes landscape design.

Natural Resource Management - Responsible management and use of our natural resources.

Plant Pathology - Plant diseases - study, management, and control.

 

  • Colleges & Universities
  • Research Organizations
  • Agriculture industry including: lumber and paper, seed and nursery, fruit and vegetable growers, fermentation, food industry, and biological supply houses.
  • Biotechnology Firms
  • Federal Government
  • State and Local Governement
  • Environmental and biotechnical regulatory agencies.
  • Ecological Consulting Firms
  • Take courses in or double major in areas of interest.
  • Learn foreign language for international work.
  • Obtain Ph.D. for teaching, advanced research positions, and administration.
  • Learn federal, state and local government job application process.

 

 

 

 

RESEARCH
Biotechnology
Genetics
Cell Membrane
Other Disciplines

  • Pursue graduate degrees for advanced positions.
  • Develop excellent research and high-technology skills.
  • Do a student research project.
  • Gain related work experience.
 

 

ORGANISMAL SPECIALTIES

Bryology - The study of mosses and other plants.

Lichenology - The study of lichens.

Marine Botany - The study of ocean plants and algea.

Mychology - The biology of fungi.

Pteridology - The study of ferns and similar plants.

Phycology - The study of algae.

  • Colleges & Universities
  • Research Organizations
  • Federal and state governement laboratories including Agriculture, Health, etc.
  • Pharmaceutical companies.
  • Food and beverage industries including brewing and fermentation.
  • Hospitals
  • Learn high-tech techniques.
  • Become familiar with laboratory procedures and equipment.
  • Obtain a graduate degree in area of interest.
 
EDUCATION
Teaching
Research
Consulting
Administration
  • Need a masters degree as a minimum in most areas.
  • Obtain Ph.D. for positions in college teaching, research and advanced administration.
 
WRITING
Teaching
Research & Development
Exploration
Consulting
Administration
  • Publishing companies including newspapers, magazines, books, and textbooks.
  • Professional associations.
  • Scientific and educational software companies.
  • Non-profit organizations.
  • Take courses in technical writing.
  • Develop computer skills.
  • Obtain master's degree in scientific journalism.
 
LAW
Agricultural
Environmental
Biotechnological
Forensics
  • Legal firms with enviornmental focus.
  • Government agencies and regulatory agencies.
  • Biotechnical regulatory firms or agencies.
  • Obtain law degree or other specialized training.
MARKETING AND ADMINISTRATION
Sales
Marketing
Administration
Management
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Seed companies
  • Biotechnology Firms
  • Scientific Publishers
  • Biological supply organizations.
  • Complete minor in business.
  • Hold leadership positions in campus organizations.
  • Join student American Marketing Association.
ILLUSTRATION

  • Scientific Publishers
  • Colleges & Universities
  • Educational and scientific software companies.
  • Non-profit Organizations
  • Take double major or minor in illustration.
  • Become competent in computer-aided design.
  • Seek related work experience, internship or co-op position.
 
COMPUTER PROGRAMMING
  • Scientific and Educational Software Companies
  • Take double major or minor in computer programming.
  • Seek related work experience, internship, or co-op position.
 

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Bachelor's degree qualifies for laboratory technician or technical assistant positions in education, industry, government, museums, parks, and botanical gardens.

  • Master's degree qualifies for some research and administrative positions.

  • Ph.D. required for advanced research and administrative positions, college teaching, and independent research.

  • Obtain part-time, summer, internship, or volunteer experience with government agencies, college/university labs, agricultural experiment stations, freshwater and marine biological stations, or private companies.

  • Extremely helpful to arrange undergraduate research project to decide on specific area of interest in Botany.

  • Enjoy outdoor activities.

  • Join organizations related to your area of interest.

  • Develop excellent mathematics, verbal, and written communication skills.

  • Select a broad range of courses in English, social sciences, and humanities.

  • Become proficient with computers.

Adapted from original prepared  by the Career Planning Staff of Career Services 
at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Modified for WSU students and
converted to HTML format by GBN.  Used with permission. 
Additional info from the American Botanical Society Website (www.botany.org).