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    Dec 04, 2024  
2021-2022 UMaine Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2021-2022 UMaine 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: A C or higher is required in BIO 100 and BIO 200.

Other GPA requirements to graduate: A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all courses in Biological Sciences Areas, affiliated science, and math courses combined.

Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience:  BIO 388 or BIO 392 or BIO 402  or BIO 428 or BIO 431 or BIO 438 or BIO 450 or BIO 463 or HON 498 and HON 499* or both BIO 480 and 483. For specific requirements see the curricula for individual concentrations.

*The thesis topic must be in Botany and the thesis advisor should be in the School of Biology and Ecology.

Contact Information:  Ann Dieffenbacher-Krall, Undergraduate Coordinator, 100 Murray Hall, (207)581-2540, annd@maine.edu

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 produces, the foundation of 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 biology including cells and molecules, genetics, evolution, physiology, anatomy, evolution and biodiversity, and ecology. Students enrolled in the Honors College will find the program complementary to their degree studies. Each student works with an academic advisor 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, 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. Students wishing to spend a semester studying abroad are advised to discuss this option with their advisor early in their program.

The B.S. and B.A. degrees in Botany is offered by the School of Biology and Ecology.  For information about areas of research 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 are not required to complete a Botany capstone provided the student completes a capstone for 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.

Students must complete a minimum of 12 credits originating from the University of Maine in Biological Sciences Areas I-V.

Students wishing to transfer from other institutions or from another program within the University of Maine must have completed BIO 100: Basic Biology with a grade of C or better, have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, and a grade of C or better in MAT 111 or no grade record in MAT 111 and a score 30 or higher on the Math Placement Exam.

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts

The School of Biology and Ecology offers both B.S. and B.A. degrees in Botany. Both degrees provide a strong background in biological sciences. They have the same requirements in biological sciences and differ only in the level of chemistry, mathematics, physics, and social sciences required. The B.S. requires more in-depth study of chemistry, math, and physics while the B.A. requires more social sciences and humanities. The B.S. provides preparation for laboratory or field scientists while the B.A. ensures a broad liberal arts education and allows more flexibility for minors and double majors.

Expertise in Botany is essential to insure that sound science is the foundation for public policy, laws, regulations, business decisions, natural resource management, and communication about scientific ideas and issues.  Educators, artists, writers, lawyers, economists, public policy makers and politicians, and business people in green industries, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and agribusiness greatly benefit from a strong background in science.  Pairing a BA with a second major or minor builds strength for careers in education, communication, policy, law, or business.  In addition, the critical thinking, reading, and writing skills gained through humanities and social sciences courses can significantly contribute to a career in science.

BA students are required to declare a minor or 2nd major in an approved subject outside of botany or biology or zoology, or complete additional General Education requirements as noted below.  BA students are encouraged to explore career options through the University of Maine Career Center and with their academic advisor to select a minor or 2nd major that adds breadth to the academic program by developing skills and knowledge outside of the primary major.

Concentration in the B.S and B.A. Degree in Botany

The Ecology Concentration is open to students in either the B.S. or B.A. degree program.  This concentration is intended for students interested in exposure to ecological principles within the context of a rigorous biological sciences curriculum.

Biology Club

Students majoring in Biology, Botany, Zoology, and Medical 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.

Combined B.S. and M.S. degrees in Botany, Entomology, or Zoology

“Double Up” programs allow highly dedicated students to earn both the B.S. and the M.S. degrees in five to six years. This allows the student to save time and reduces the cost of the M.S. degree. See our web site for details, https://sbe.umaine.edu/, or the Graduate School webpage, https://umaine.edu/graduate/.

Bachelor of Science Core Requirements

1. Basic Biology:

  and   (Minimum grade of C required in each.) 

2. General Chemistry: 

 ,  ,  , and    

3. Organic Chemistry I: 

  and  ; or   and     

4. Organic Chemistry II or Biochemistry: 

  and  ; or BMB 322  and     

5. Physics I: 

  or    

6. Physics II: 

  or    

7. Calculus: 

   or    or    

8. Statistics: 

  or   or PSY 241   

9. Biological Sciences Area Credits (see below): minimum of 24 credits including 3 credits each from areas I, III, IV, and V, and 6 credits from area II.  At least four lab courses (L) must be taken among the BIO Area courses, and at least three plant courses (P).  A minimum of 12 of these credits must be taken at University of Maine

10. Required Course: 

   

11. Satisfy general education requirements: To fill the general education capstone requirement, Biology B.S. students must take one of the following:

 ,  ,  , BIO 428 ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , or both   and  . 

12. Minimum average GPA 2.0 is required for all courses listed in items 1-9 above and capstone. 

Bachelor of Arts Core Requirements

1. Basic Biology:

  and   (Minimum grade of C required in each.) 

2. General Chemistry: 

 ,  ,  , and    

3. Organic Chemistry:

  and  ; or   and CHY 253  

4. Physics: 

 ,   or    

5. Mathematics: 

   or    or   or   or   or PSY 241  

6. Biological Sciences Area Credits (see below): minimum of 24 credits including 3 credits each from areas I, III, IV, and V, and 6 credits from area II.  At least four lab courses (L) must be taken among the BIO Area courses, and at least three plant courses (P).  A minimum of 12 of these credits must be taken at University of Maine.

7. Required Course: 

   

8. Minimum average GPA 2.0 is required for all courses listed in items 1-6 above and the capstone. 

9. Satisfy General Education requirements.  Be aware that a total of 6 credits are required in Quantitative Analysis.  To fill the general education capstone requirement, Biology B.A. students must take one of: 

 ,  ,  , BIO 428 ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , or both   and  . 

10. International Perspectives or a Minor or Second Major: 

a1.  Students must complete an academic minor or a second academic major outside of their primary discipline.  The following minors or second majors fill this requirement. Other minors or majors may be acceptable with prior approval of the Undergraduate Program Coordinator. Minors: Accounting, Anthropology, Archaeology, Business Administration, Child Development and Family Relations, Climate Studies, Computer Science, The Constitution and American Law, Creative Writing, Economics, Education, English, Environmental Ethics, Ethics and Political Philosophy, French, History, Graphic Design, International Affairs, Journalism, Leadership Studies, Legal Studies, Management, Marketing, Marxist and Socialist Studies, Mathematics, Media Studies, New Media, Peace and Reconciliation Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Political Theory, Professional Writing, Renewable Energy Science and Technology, Resources and Agribusiness Management, Sociology, Spanish, Statistics, Studio Art, Theatre. Second Majors: Computer Science, Mathematics, Secondary Education, Studio Art.

OR

a2.  Alternatively, a student may complete, within their program of study, 27 credits in courses meeting the human values and social context general education criteria of the university. At least 12 credits of these must be at the 200 level or above.  Student must satisfy International Perspectives by either 1) Establishing intermediate level proficiency in a foreign language, or 2) at least one semester in a UMaine approved foreign exchange program, or 3) 9 credits in Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives, which may overlap with the 27 human values and social context credits noted above.

AND

b.  Students must complete a minimum of 60 credits outside their major. (If a particular major requires courses in another discipline, either within the same department or in another department, those credits may still count toward the 60 credits.) Depending on the particular program, the degree will require from 120 or 121 total credits for graduation. In addition, each student must achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.0 over all courses taken. Some programs may also require minimum grade point averages for courses within the major. Students should consult individual program sections about specific details concerning a particular major.

Ecology Concentration Requirements

1.  Satisfy the core requirements of either the B.S. or B.A. degree program.

2.  Statistics requirement: Take the following course to satisfy the requirement: 

   Note for B.A. students,   requires either  ,  , or   as a prerequisite.

3. For BIO Area V: Take the following courses: 

   or    and at least 3 additional credits chosen from  , BIO 309 ,  ,  , BIO 411 ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , SMS 308 ,  , or  . 

4. Primary and Secondary Producers: Choose at least one animal course, labeled A, from the BIO Areas.

5. Environmental Influences: At least one of the following courses:

 ,  ,  ,  , or   

6. Field Experience: At least one of the following courses:

 ,  , BIO 430 ,  , BIO 463 ,  , or  . This course can also satisfy one of the BIO areas for the basic Botany major.

7. General Education requirement: To fill the general education capstone requirement, students in the Ecology Concentration must take one of the following:

 ,  ,  ,   or  .

8. Writing Intensive: ENG 315  or ENG 317  

Biological Sciences Areas for the B.S. or B.A.

If BIO 431, BIO 438, BIO 450, or BIO 463  is taken as a capstone, it can go toward satisfying 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.  BIO 480 can count as a capstone if, and only if, BIO 483 is also taken.  In this case, BIO 480 can go toward satisfying one of the BIO areas, but the credits do not count towards the 24 BIO area credits;  the two credits from BIO 483 can be counted toward the 24 BIO area credits.

I. Cell and Molecular Biology

Students must take BMB 280 or BIO 480 or 6 total credits from the area.

II. Genetics and Evolution

Both courses are required.

III. Physiology

IV. Biodiversity

V. Ecology and Behavior

Students must take BIO 319 or SMS 300 or 6 credits from the area. 

Alternate Area

Courses within the Alternate Area can be included in the 24 total area minimum credits, but do not count toward any specific area except by prior arrangement with the program coordinator.  A total of three credits from BIO 387 or BIO 391 can be counted toward the 24 credit total.

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

Third Year - Second Semester

Fourth Year - First Semester

  • Capstone or BIO Area Credit: 3 
  • General Education Requirements or Electives Credits: 12

Fourth Year - Second Semester

  • BIO Area Credits: 4 (e.g., area I, if not previously filled, with lab)
  • Capstone or BIO Area Credit: 3 
  • General Education Requirements or Electives Credits: 8

Required Courses in Suggested Sequence for the B.S. in Botany with Ecology Concentration

First Year - First Semester

First Year - Second Semester

Second Year - First Semester

Second Year - Second Semester

Third Year - First Semester

Third Year - Second Semester

Fourth Year - First Semester

Fourth Year - Second Semester

  • Capstone or BIO Area Credits: 3  
  • Environmental Influences Credits: 3
  • General Education Requirements or Electives Credits: 9

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

  • BIO Area Credits: 4 (e.g., BIO 452 and BIO 453 or area III with lab, plant)
  • General Education Requirement or course toward minor Credits: 9
  • Elective Credits: 2

Third Year - Second Semester

Fourth Year - First Semester

  • Capstone or elective Credits: 3 (Acceptable fall semester capstone courses include BIO 388, BIO 392, BIO 402, BIO 463, or HON 499.)
  • General Education Requirements - Writing Intensive Credits: 3
  • General Education Requirements or courses toward minor Credits: 9

Fourth Year - Second Semester

  • BIO Area Credits with lab: 4
  • Capstone or elective Credits: 3 (Acceptable spring capstone courses include BIO 388, BIO 392, BIO 428, BIO 431, BIO 438, BIO 450, BIO 480 & 483, or HON 499.)
  • General Education Requirements or courses toward minor or Electives Credits: 8

Required Courses in Suggested Sequence for the B.A. in Botany with Ecology Concentration

First Year - First Semester

First Year - Second Semester

Second Year - First Semester

Second Year - Second Semester

Third Year - First Semester

Third Year - Second Semester

Fourth Year - First Semester

  • Credits: 4

  • or other BIO Area Credits

  • Capstone or BIO Area Credit: 3 (Acceptable capstone courses in fall semester include BIO 388, BIO 392, BIO 463, or HON 499.)
  • General Education Requirement or courses toward minor Credits: 6
  • Elective Credits: 2

Fourth Year - Second Semester

  • Capstone or BIO Area Credits: 3 (Acceptable capstone courses in spring semester include BIO 388 or BIO 392 or BIO 431 or HON 499.)
  • Environmental Influences Credits: 3
  • General Education Requirements or courses towards minor or Electives Credits: 8

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