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    Nov 27, 2024  
2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Botany

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OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120

Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0

Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: Botany Majors must have a “C” or better in BIO 100 and BIO 200.

Other GPA requirements to graduate: Botany Majors require a cumulative 2.0 GPA in all courses in Biological Sciences Areas I-V, affiliated science, and math courses combined.

Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience:  BIO 388 or BIO 392 or BIO 402 or BIO 438 or BIO 447 or BIO 450 or BIO 463 or HON 499*. See concentration curriculums for specific requirements.*The thesis topic must be in Biology and the thesis advisor should be in the School of Biology and Ecology.

Contact Information: Ann Dieffenbacher-Krall, Assistant Director of the School of Biology and Ecology, 100 Murray Hall, (207) 581-2510.

The School of Biology and Ecology offers both BA and BS degrees in Botany. For information about areas of specialization and for an overview of our facilities, cooperative programs, and list of faculty in the School of Biology and Ecology, see our web site www.sbe.umaine.edu/

Students choosing Botany as a second major must complete the second major by selecting courses in Areas I-V that are not being used to satisfy the requirements of their first major.

Students majoring in Botany are not eligible for a minor or second major in Biology or Zoology because of extensive overlap in the requirements for these degrees.

Students majoring in Botany must complete an assessment exit exam in their last semester prior to graduating.

Students majoring in Botany must earn a score of 4 or 5 in order to receive advanced placement credit for BIO 100.

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science
Both the BA and BS degrees in Botany provide a strong background in biological sciences. The BA option is structured to ensure a broad liberal arts education and allows more flexibility for minors and double majors. The BA requires lower levels of Affiliated sciences (chemistry, physics) and Math and more social sciences and humanities than the BS. The less stringent BA requirements in Affiliated sciences and Math may be insufficient preparation for some careers requiring graduate study. The BA also requires students to develop an enriched international perspective. This may be done by (1) establishing proficiency in a foreign language at the intermediate level, (2) completing at least one semester in a University of Maine approved foreign exchange program, or (3) completing nine credits in General Education courses in Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives. In addition, the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture has a BA requirement of 27 credits in General Education courses in Human Values and Social Context and at least 12 credits must be at the 200 level or above.

For the BA and BS in Botany, a minimum grade of “C” is required in BIO 100 and in BIO 200 for degree credit.

All students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all courses in Biological Sciences Areas I-V, Affiliated Sciences, and Math courses averaged together. Transfer students must complete a minimum of 12 credits in residence in Biological Sciences Areas I-V.

Requirements for BA and BS degrees outlined below are the same in Basic Biological Sciences and Biological Sciences Areas and differ only in Affiliated Sciences and Math.

BA and BS in Botany
Plants are of critical importance to the world and in human society. They are sources of useful materials, such as human and animal foods, fibers, building materials, medicines, and horticultural specimens. They are major primary producers, the foundation for many terrestrial ecosystems and an essential matrix for other organisms in forests, savannas, marshes and many other habitats. Tremendous advances in biotechnology, environmental studies, and related areas make botany an important and fascinating field of study. Graduates of our Botany program pursue various careers, depending on their interest, level of educational attainment, and subsequent professional education. Among the more typical career areas are environmental monitoring and regulation at state and federal levels, scientific research and development, education at the high-school and college levels, and private design and consulting.

Botany offers students many choices and allows them to tailor their programs to their interests. Students can choose from a wide range of courses covering all major areas of botany including cells and molecules, genetics and development, physiology, anatomy, evolution and biodiversity, and ecology. Each student works with an academic adviser in the faculty to develop a curriculum that best meets the student’s goals and allows for exploration or specialization as desired. Students in their third and fourth years of study, and who intend to pursue post-baccalaureate studies leading to advanced degrees, are strongly encouraged to include independent research under the guidance of a faculty member in their programs.

Concentration in the BA or BS Degree in Botany
An optional concentration is available in:
• Ecology
This concentration is described in detail following the suggested curriculum for the BS in Botany.

Biology Club
Students majoring in Biology, Botany, Zoology, and Clinical Laboratory Sciences (Medical Technology) are encouraged to join the Biology Club, a student organization that promotes an interest in the biological sciences and in biological research with invited speakers, panel discussions, debates, trips, social functions, and service projects. The club also supports a local chapter of the national honor society, Beta Beta Beta.

Basic Biological Sciences for the B.A. and the B.S. in Botany

Biological Sciences Areas I-V for the B.A. and the B.S. in Botany

The following are minimum requirements for these 5 areas: 24 credits, 3 credits/area, 4 laboratory (L) courses, and at least 3 plant (P) courses from areas III - V. 

If BIO 438, BIO 477, BIO 450, or BIO 463 is taken as a capstone, it can satisfy the area in which it is listed and can count as a laboratory course (if labeled L) but cannot count towards the 24 credits required in Areas I-V.

I. Cell and Molecular Biology

If only one course is selected from this area, it must be BMB 280 or BIO 480

II. Genetics

III. Physiology

IV. Biodiversity and Evolution

V. Ecology and Behavior

If only one course is selected from this area, it must be BIO 319, SMS 300, or WLE 200, only one of which may be taken for degree credit.

Affiliated Sciences and Math for the B.A. and B.S. in Botany

Courses in common to both the B.A. and the B.S. Degree

Courses for the B.A. Degree Option in Botany

Courses for the B.S. Degree Option in Botany

Required Courses in Suggested Sequence for the B.A. in Botany

First Year - First Semester

First Year - Second Semester

Second Year - First Semester

Second Year - Second Semester

Third Year - First Semester

  • Credits: 4 (see Footnote 6)

  •  

  • Biological Sciences Area Choice2 Credits: 2-4

  •  

  • International Perspective5 Credits: 3

  •  

  •  General Education Requirement or Elective Credits: 3

Third Year - Second Semester

  • General Education Requirement or Elective Credits: 3-1
     
  • Biological Sciences Area Choice2 Credits: 3-4

Fourth Year - First Semester

  • Biological Sciences Area Choice 2 Credits: 3-4
     
  • Capstone 7 or Elective Credits: 3
     
  • General Education Requirements or Electives Credits: 7-10

Fourth Year - Second Semester

  • Biological Sciences Area Choice 2 Credits 3-10
     
  • Elective or Capstone7 Credits: 3
     
  • General Education Requirements or Electives Credits: 3-6

Footnotes

1 See the General Education requirements for all students at the University. If BIO 400 (Biological Sciences Writing Intensive) is used to satisfy the General Education Writing Intensive in the major requirement, then it must be taken in conjunction with a selected upper-level BIO course (see listings in Schedule of Classes), usually during the third or fourth year.
2See above lists of courses in the five Biological Sciences Areas and follow requirements for total number of credits, number of credits per area, number of courses with laboratories (L), and number of plant (P) courses in areas III-V.
3Alternatively, students may take CHY 251/253 and 252/254.
4Alternatively, students may take MAT 126.
5See the description of the B.A. degree above for ways to satisfy this requirement for the B.A. degree.
6Alternatively, students may take PHY 111 and 112.
7The General Education capstone experience may be completed with BIO 388, 392, 402, 438, 447, 450, 463, or HON 499.
 

Required Courses in Suggested Sequence for the B.S. in Botany

First Year - First Semester

First Year - Second Semester

Second Year - First Semester

Second Year - Second Semester

Third Year - First Semester

  • Credits: 4

  • (see Footnote 4)

  •  

  • General Education Requirement or Elective Credits: 6

  •  

  • Biological Sciences Area Choice2 Credits: 5-7

Third Year - Second Semester

  • Credits: 4

  •  

  • General Education Requirement or Elective Credits: 6-8

  •  

  • Biological Sciences Area Choice2 Credits: 3-4

Fourth Year - First Semester

  •  Biological Sciences Area Choice2 Credits: 4
     
  • Capstone5 or Elective Credits: 3
     
  • General Education Requirements or Electives Credits: 6-9

Fourth Year - Second Semester

  •  Biological Sciences Area Choice2  Credits: 4-10 
     
  • Elective or Capstone5  Credits: 3
     
  • General Education Requirements or Electives Credits: 6

Footnotes

1See the General Education requirements for all students at the University. If BIO 400 (Biological Sciences Writing Intensive) is used to satisfy the General Education Writing Intensive in the major requirement, then it must be taken in conjunction with a selected upper-level BIO
course (see listings in Schedule of Classes), usually during the third or fourth year.
2See above lists of courses in the five Biological Sciences Areas and follow requirements for total number of credits, number of credits per area, number of courses with laboratories (L), and number of plant (P) courses in areas III-V.
3 Alternatively, students may take BMB 221/222 and BMB 322/323.
4 Alternatively, students may take PHY 121/122.
5The General Education capstone experience requirement may be completed with BIO 388, 392, 402, 438, 447, 450, 463, or HON 499.
 

Concentration in Ecology

This concentration is intended for students interested in exposure to ecological principles within the context of a rigorous biological sciences curriculum. Students in this concentration must meet all of the requirements for the Biology BA or BS, Botany BA or BS, or Zoology BA or BS degrees. The concentration also includes WLE 220 Introduction to Statistical Ecology and a requirement for a course on environmental influences. A total of 32-38 credits are required to complete the concentration depending on the selections made for each of the requirements.

Specific requirements:
 

1. Affiliated Sciences and Math

2. Area I. Cell and Molecular Biology

  • Free choice among Area I courses on the Biology checklists Credits: 3-4

3. Area II. Genetics

  • Free choice among Area II courses on the Biology checklists Credits: 3-5

4. Area III. Physiology

  • Free choice among Area III courses on the Biology checklists Credits: 3

5. Area IV. Biodiversity

  • BIO 465 Evolution is required plus 3 additional credits chosen from the courses on the Biology checklists Credits: 6-7

6. Area V. Ecology and Behavior

BIO 319 or WLE 200 or SMS 300 is required plus 3 additional credits chosen from the following courses: 6-7 credits

7. Primary and Secondary Producers

Choose at least one course labeled A and one labeled P from Areas I-V on the Biology, Botany, or Zoology checklists. These courses can also satisfy requirements in Areas I-V for the basic Biology, Botany, or Zoology major and so do not add to the number of credits needed beyond the basic Biology, Botany, or Zoology major.

8. Area VI. Environmental Influences

Three credits are required. Choose from these courses:

9. Field Experience

Choose at least one course from this list. This course can also satisfy one of the areas above.

10. Capstone

Choose one of these courses*:

11. Writing requirement (students in Honors Program are exempt)

One course required. Choose from the following courses*:

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