Why major in Plant Biology? 
Plant Biology is the scientific study of plants, algae, fungi, and bacteria – basically all living organisms except animals. Green plants and algae provide the photosynthetic energy for fueling all other life on Earth and drive global water and carbon cycles. Fungi and bacteria are the fundamental recyclers of the Earth. Fields of concentration include the interdisciplinary areas of environmental plant biology, plant ecology and evolution, cellular and molecular plant biology, and the traditional areas of botany, such as anatomy, morphology, systematics, physiology, mycology and phycology.
What career opportunities are available for me?
A plant biology degree is an excellent credential for a wide range of career options, including domestic and international opportunities in business, research and teaching in both governmental and private sectors. Plant biologists can work in the field, in the forest, in the laboratory, in botanical gardens or nurseries, in food or seed companies, or in pharmaceutical, energy or chemical industries, and pursue rewarding careers in the areas of biotechnology, environmental science and stewardship, farming, or agribusiness. The program is also an excellent background for students wishing to enter graduate or other professional schools, including medicine, law or journalism.
What degrees does the Department of Plant Biology offer?
For the Bachelor of Science Degree in Plant Biology you must complete 120 credits, including general elective credits. The University Tier II writing requirement for the Plant Biology majors is met by completing Plant Biology 498 and 499 and one of the following courses: Plant Biology 316 or 441 or Zoology 355L.
|
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Plant Biology Plant Ecology and Evolution; Plant Physiology, Molcular and Cellular Biology; General Plant Biology |
|
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Environmental Biology/Plant Biology |
| Plant Biology Courses | ||
| Courses | Title | Offered |
| PLB 105 | Plant Biology | F, S |
| PLB 106 | Plant Biology Laboratory | F, S |
| PLB 203 | Biology of Plants | F |
| PLB 218 | Plants of Michigan | F |
| PLB 301 | Introductory Plant Physiology | F, S |
| PLB 316 | Experiments in Plant Biology | S |
| PLB 335 | Plants through time | S (odd years) |
| PLB 336 | Useful Plants | F (odd years) |
| PLB 402 | Biology of Fungi | F |
| PLB 414 | Plant Physiology: Metabolism | F |
| PLB 415 | Plant Physiology: Growth, Development, and the Environment | S |
| PLB 418 | Plant Systematics | F, S |
| PLB 424 | Algal Biology | F (even), U (odd) years |
| PLB 434 | Plant Structure and Function | S |
| PLB 441 (B) | Plant Ecology | F |
| PLB 490 | Directed Studies | F, S, U |
| PLB 490H | Honors Directed Studies | F, S, U |
| PLB 495 | Botanical Garden Internship | F, S, U |
| PLB 498 | Undergraduate Research | F, S, U |
| PLB 800 | Seminar in Plant Biology | F |
| PLB 802 | Scientific Teaching in Plant Biology | F, S, U |
| PLB 803 | Integrative Topics in Plant Biology | S |
| PLB 805 | Spec Prob Physiology & Biochem | F, S, U |
| PLB 806 | Spec Prob Genet & Molec Bio | F, S, U |
| PLB 807 | Spec Prob in Mycology | F, S, U |
| PLB 809 | Spec Prob Ecol, Sys, & Evol | F, S, U |
| PLB 826 | Tropical Biology: An Ecological Approach | S, U |
| PLB 842 | Application of Ecological Principles | S |
| PLB 849 | Evolutionary Biology | S |
| PLB 856 | Plant Molecular Biology | S |
| PLB 863 | Environmental Plant Physiology | S (odd years) |
| PLB 865 | Plant Growth and Development | F |
| PLB 899 | Master's Thesis Research | F, S, U |
| PLB 999 | Doctoral Dissertation Research | |
| Interdepartmental Courses | ||
| Course | Title | Offered |
| BCH/PLB 864 | Plant Biochemistry | S |
| BS111 | Cells and Molecular Biology Laboratory | F, S, U |
| ENT/PLB 319 | Introduction to Earth System Science | F |
| FW/PLB 828 | Conservation and Genetics | F (even years) |
| FW/PLB 835 | Biogeography | S (odd years) |
| FW/PLB 857 | Theoretical Ecology | S (even years) |
| HRT/PLB 811 | Plant Development Genetics | F |
| HRT/PLB 820 | Plant Reproductive Biology and Polyploidy | S (odd years) |
| HRT/PLB 821 | Crop Evolution | S (odd years) |
| HRT/PLB 822 | Historical Geography of Crop Plants | S (odd years) |
| PLP/PLB 407 | Diseases and Insects of Forest and Shade Trees | S |
| PLP/PLB 847 | Advanced Mycology | S (even years) |
| ZOL/PLB 341 | Fundemental Genetics | F, S, U |
| ZOL/PLB 355 | Ecology | F, S, U |
| ZOL/PLB 355L | Ecology Laboratory | F, S, U |
| ZOL/PLB 431 | Comparative Limnology | U |
| ZOL/PLB 440 | Field Ecology and Evolution | U |
| ZOL/PLB 445 | Evolution | F |
| ZOL/PLB 485 | Tropical Biology | S |
| ZOL/PLB 851 | Quantitative Methods in Ecology and Evolution | F |
| ZOL/PLB 855 | Molecular Evolution: Principles and Techniques | F (odd years) |
| ZOL/PLB 891 | Current Topics in Ecology and Evolution | U |
| ZOL/PLB 896 | Population and Community Ecology | F |
| ZOL/PLB 897 | Ecosystem Ecology | S |
Please visit the MSU Schedule of Courses for more information regarding course information, descriptions, and instructors teaching the course.
Undergraduate Advisors
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Diane Ebert-May, Director of Undergraduate Studies
270 Plant Biology Bldg.
(517) 432-7171
email
Undergraduate Secretary
Kasey Baldwin
166 Plant Biology Bldg.
(517) 432-4429
email
