Program Overview
The Master of Science in Botany at the University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a comprehensive understanding of plant biology, emphasizing research and preparing students for careers in academia, industry, and government. The program requires coursework, seminars, and original research, with pathways in general botany, ecology, evolution, and molecular, cellular, and developmental biology. Graduates are well-equipped for careers in various fields, including academia, industry, and government agencies.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Master of Science (M.S.) program in Botany at the University of Wisconsin-Madison provides students with a comprehensive understanding of plant biology at all levels of organization, from molecules to ecosystems. The program emphasizes research and prepares students for careers in academia, industry, and government agencies.
Objectives:
- Acquire and demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the basic properties of plant life from the subcellular to the ecosystem level of organization.
- Use critical elements of the methodological or theoretical framework in a specialized botanical subdiscipline to develop hypotheses, acquire scientific information, and interpret results in the context of the historical scientific literature.
- Develop the skills of communicating scientific information, especially in written form.
- Engage in the critical evaluation of botanical scientific data and its interpretation.
- Recognize and apply ethical conduct in the collection, analysis, and presentation of scientific data.
- Develop the skills essential to critical debate, discussion, and exchange of scientific information among peers and audiences of diverse intellectual and personal backgrounds.
Outline:
The M.S. program in Botany requires a combination of advanced coursework, participation in seminars, and original research. Course requirements follow one of five pathways: general botany, ecology, evolution, molecular, cellular, and developmental biology, or the non-thesis master's degree in conservation and restoration ecology.
Coursework:
- General Botany Pathway: Students must have one course from at least six of the seven areas of genetics, biochemistry, cell or molecular biology, plant physiology or plant developmental biology, cryptogamic botany, plant anatomy or morphology, ecology, and evolution or systematics.
- Ecology Pathway: Students must have a minimum of five courses as follows: at least three courses (minimum of 9 credits) in ecology, one course in evolution, and one course in any of the following: systematics; cryptogamic botany; biochemistry, cell or molecular biology; plant physiology or plant developmental biology; plant anatomy or morphology; or genetics.
- Evolution Pathway: Students must have a minimum of five courses, at least one from each of the following: evolution, systematics or cryptogamic botany, population or quantitative genetics, ecology, and one course in any of the following: biochemistry, cell or molecular biology; plant physiology or plant developmental biology; or plant anatomy or morphology.
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) Pathway: Students must have a minimum of five courses, at least one from each of the following: plant anatomy or morphology, biochemistry, cell or molecular biology, plant physiology, plant developmental biology or genetics, and one course in any of the following: ecology; systematics; evolution; or cryptogamic botany.
Seminars:
Students are required to take at least two seminar courses, at least one of which must be in botany. Seminar course options include:
- Limnology and Marine Science Seminar
- Seminar in Algology: Fresh Water Algae
- Seminar-Mycology
- Seminar in Plant Systematics and Evolution
- Seminar-Plant Ecology
- Seminar-Plant Physiology
- Earth System Science Seminar
- Seminar in Methods of Scientific Oral Presentations
- Seminar in Organismal Entomology
- Seminar in Clinical Cytogenetics
- Seminar in Laboratory Operations and Quality Control
- Seminar in Clinical Cytology
- Seminar in Animal Breeding
- Seminar-Plant Breeding
- Seminar in Genetics
- Seminar in Geography
- Seminar in Cultural Geography
- Seminar in Political Geography
- Seminar in Physical Geography
- Seminar in People-Environment Geography
- Seminar in American Environmental History
- Seminar in Geographic Information Science
- Seminar in the Latin-American Area
- Seminar in African Studies Topics
- Seminar in Hort
- Seminar-Plant Breeding
- Graduate Seminar
- Seminar-Limnology
- Seminar-Ecology
- Seminar-Evolution
- Seminar-Biophysical and Physiological Ecology
- Seminar-Cellular Biology
- Seminar-Geophysics
Research:
Students are also required to complete research credits. Research course options include:
- Directed Study
- Research-Phycology
- Research: Fungal Biology
- Research-Plant Systematics
- Research-Plant Ecology
- Research-Plant Physiology
- Independent Work
Assessment:
The M.S. program in Botany follows the Graduate School's assessment policies and procedures. Students are evaluated on their coursework, research, and oral and written presentations.
Teaching:
The M.S. program in Botany is taught by a faculty of 18 members with about 45 graduate students pursuing M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. The faculty are actively involved in research and teaching, and they are committed to providing students with a high-quality education.
Careers:
Graduates of the M.S. program in Botany have a wide range of career opportunities, including positions in academia, industry, and government agencies. Some graduates go on to pursue Ph.D. degrees.
