Program Overview
Program Overview
The Department of Biology at the University of Florida offers graduate work in Botany leading to the degrees of Master of Science, Master of Science in Teaching, and Doctor of Philosophy. The Department offers studies in various areas, including biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, physiology, ecology, systematics, and evolution.
Areas of Specialization
- Anatomy/morphology with emphasis on extant and fossil vascular plants
- Ecology and environmental studies, including ecosystem ecology, conservation biology and genetics, fire ecology, exotic invasive species, and tropical botany and ecology
- Cell biology with emphasis on the cytoskeleton and cell morphogenesis
- Physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology with emphasis on photosynthesis, growth and development of angiosperms, protein phosphorylation and signal transduction, global analysis of spatial patterns of gene expression
- Plant secondary metabolism and proteomics
- Systematics with emphasis on DNA- and morphology-based phylogenetic analyses, phylogeographic studies, molecular evolution/development, and monographic and floristic studies
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to graduate studies, students should have:
- The equivalent of an undergraduate degree in botany or biology with basic course work in their area of interest
- Acceptable GRE scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing)
- Letters of recommendation
- International students must submit an acceptable score on one of the following: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language: computer=213, paper=550, web=80), IELTS (International English Language Testing System: 6), MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery: 77), or successful completion of the UF English Language Institute program
Degrees Offered
Doctor of Philosophy
- Without a concentration
- Concentration in Tropical Conservation and Development
- Concentration in Wetland Sciences
Master of Science
- Without a concentration
- Concentration in Tropical Conservation and Development
- Concentration in Wetland Sciences
Master of Science in Teaching
- Without a concentration
- Concentration in Tropical Conservation and Development
- Concentration in Wetland Sciences
Course Requirements
The program of graduate study for each student will be determined by a supervisory committee, and deficiencies in background coursework will be made up early in the graduate program. No more than 9 credits of BOT 6905 Individual Studies in Botany (1-3 cr.) may be used to satisfy the credit requirements for a master’s degree.
Botany Departmental Courses
Course List by Depts Code | Title | Credits
---|---|---
BOT 5225C| Plant Anatomy| 4
BOT 5305| Paleobotany| 3
BOT 5505C| Intermediate Plant Physiology| 3
BOT 5655C| Physiological Plant Ecology| 3
BOT 5685C| Tropical Botany| 5
BOT 5695C| Ecosystems of Florida| 3
BOT 5725C| Taxonomy of Vascular Plants| 4
BOT 6566| Plant Growth and Development| 3
BOT 6716C| Advanced Taxonomy| 2
BOT 6726C| Principles of Systematic Biology| 4
BOT 6905| Individual Studies in Botany| 1-3
BOT 6910| Supervised Research| 1-5
BOT 6927| Advances in Botany| 1-3
BOT 6935| Special Topics| 1-4
BOT 6936| Graduate Student Seminar| 1-2
BOT 6971| Research for Master's Thesis| 1-15
BOT 7979| Advanced Research| 1-12
BOT 7980| Research for Doctoral Dissertation| 1-15
PCB 5046C| Advanced Ecology| 3
PCB 5338| Principles of Ecosystem Ecology| 3
PCB 5356| Tropical Ecology| 3
PLP 6656C| Fungal Biology| 4
Biology Departmental Courses
Course List by Depts Code | Title | Credits
---|---|---
BOT 6276C| Phylogenomics| 4
BOT 6656| Plant Symbiosis| 3
BSC 6038| Broader Impacts of Science on Society| 2
BSC 6451| Computational Tools for Research in Biology| 3
BSC 6895| AI in Biology| 3
PCB 6675C| Evolutionary Biogeography| 3
PCB 6685| Population Genetics| 4
ZOO 6930| Seminar in Molecular Evolution| 2
Student Learning Outcomes
Botany (PHD)
- SLO 1: Knowledge - Students will identify, define, and describe basic fundamentals of biology and a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of botany
- SLO 2: Skills - Students will design a research project, collect data, analyze and interpret the results, and present the results of original research in oral and written form
- SLO 3: Skills - Students design a research project, collect data, analyze and interpret the results, and present the results of original research in oral and written form
- SLO 4: Professional Behavior - Students will practice ethical behaviors and professional conduct
- SLO 5: Professional Behavior - Students will be able to interact and communicate with professionals at scientific conferences
Botany (MS)
- SLO 1: Knowledge - Students will identify, define, and describe the basic fundamentals of biology and botany
- SLO 2: Skills - Students will design a research project, collect data, analyze and interpret the results, and present this in written and oral form
- SLO 3: Professional Behavior - Students will practice ethical behaviors and professional conduct
- SLO 4: Professional Behavior - Students will interact and communicate with professionals at scientific conferences and practice ethical behaviors and professional conduct
Botany (MST)
- SLO 1: Knowledge - Students will identify, define, and describe the basic fundamentals of botany and pedagogy
- SLO 2: Skills - Students will teach botany and biology classroom sessions
- SLO 3: Professional Behavior - Students will interact and communicate with professionals at scientific conferences and practice ethical behaviors and professional conduct