Concentration: Plant Biology

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Plant Biology Major

Effective Fall 2011

May be elected as an interdepartmental major

Exclusions: Students who elect a major in Plant Biology may not elect the following majors: Biology, General Biology; Cell and Molecular Biology; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Microbiology; or Neuroscience.   They may also not elect a minor in Biology; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Plant Biology; Chemistry; or Biochemistry.

The Plant Biology major provides undergraduates with training in those areas of science that are essential to an understanding of modern plant sciences. Like the Biology major, this major deals with all of the major levels of biological organization (molecular, cellular, organismal, ecological, and evolutionary), but differs from the Biology major by its greater emphasis on the biology of plants. This program is well suited for those who wish to study biology as part of a liberal education, or to prepare for a teaching career in secondary schools. It also provides excellent preparation for graduate study in basic and applied areas of the plant sciences and related fields, such as ecology, genetics, microbiology, and biochemistry.

Prerequisites to the Major.

  • BIOLOGY 171, 172/174 and 173; or BIOLOGY 195 and BIOLOGY 173;
  • CHEMISTRY 210/211 and CHEMISTRY 215/216;
  • MATH 115 and 116;
  • PHYSICS 125/127 and 126/128; or PHYSICS 135/136 and 235/236; or PHYSICS 140/141 and 240/241.

Program of study in a major. A minimum of 30 credits (Students who took BIOLOGY 162 or 163, or have AP credit for BIOLOGY 162 must take 33 credits), including:

  1. General Courses. Choose at least three of the following four courses (* indicates lab courses):
    • Genetics: BIOLOGY 305.
    • Biochemistry : MCDB 310, or BIOLCHEM 415, or CHEM 451 and 452, or BIOLCHEM 451 and 452.
    • Evolution : EEB 390.
    • Ecology and Evolution : BIOLOGY 281 [or EEB 381*].
  2. Required Plant Biology Courses:
    1. Plant Biology : BIOLOGY 230*;
    2. Plant Diversity : BIOLOGY 255* [EEB 436* may be substituted];
    3. Plant Physiology  : MCDB 321;
  3. Choose at least two plant biology elective courses from the specialized course list (EEB 401, 420, 436*, 455*, 457*, 459*, 463*, 472, 489*; MCDB  401 (appropriate sections), 405,  430); at least one of these must be a lab course (indicated by *). Three credits of EEB 300/400 or MCDB 300/400 can be included as one of these elective courses, and will count for laboratory credit as well, as long as the research is conducted in a plant biology research lab. Only three credits (total) of independent research credits may count toward the major. "Library research" and introductory biology laboratories do not qualify.
  4. Additional BIOLOGY, EEB, or MCDB courses at the 200-level or above (except BIOLOGY 200, BIOLOGY 262, EEB 302, MCDB 302, MCDB 412) to bring the major total to at least 30 credits (33 credits for students who took BIOLOGY 162 or 163, or have AP credit for BIOLOGY 162 ). One cognate course may be used here (e.g., advanced math, chemistry, physics courses; STATS 400; BIOSTAT 503) with advisor approval. You are strongly encouraged to elect at least two credits of independent research and to enroll for a summer session at the Biological Station. The fourth course, from the required general courses listed in the first category (above) may also be taken and will count as an elective in this category.

Advising. with To make an advising appointment, go to the Program in Biology website at http://www.lsa.umich.edu/biology/. 

 

Honors Biology Program

Plant Biology major (Fall 2008-Summer 2011) +

Effective Fall 2008-Summer 2011 

May be elected as an interdepartmental major

Exclusions: Students who elect a major in Plant Biology may not elect the following majors: Biology, General Biology; Cell and Molecular Biology; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Microbiology; or Neuroscience.   They may also not elect a minor in Biology; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Plant Biology; Chemistry; or Biochemistry.

The Plant Biology major provides undergraduates with training in those areas of science that are essential to an understanding of modern plant sciences. Like the Biology major, this major deals with all of the major levels of biological organization (molecular, cellular, organismal, ecological, and evolutionary), but differs from the Biology major by its greater emphasis on the biology of plants. This program is well suited for those who wish to study biology as part of a liberal education, or to prepare for a teaching career in secondary schools. It also provides excellent preparation for graduate study in basic and applied areas of the plant sciences and related fields, such as ecology, genetics, microbiology, and biochemistry.

Prerequisites to the Major.

  • BIOLOGY 171, 172/174 and 173; or BIOLOGY 195 and BIOLOGY 173;
  • CHEMISTRY 210/211 and CHEMISTRY 215/216;
  • MATH 115 and 116;
  • PHYSICS 125/127 and 126/128; or PHYSICS 135/141 and 235/241; or PHYSICS 140/141 and 240/241.

Program of study in a major. A minimum of 30 credits (Students who took BIOLOGY 162 or 163, or have AP credit for BIOLOGY 162 must take 33 credits), including:

  1. General Courses. Choose at least three of the following four courses (* indicates lab courses):
    • Genetics: BIOLOGY 305.
    • Biochemistry : MCDB 310, or BIOLCHEM 415, or CHEM 451 and 452, or BIOLCHEM 451 and 452.
    • Evolution : EEB 390.
    • Ecology and Evolution : BIOLOGY 281 [or EEB 381*].
  2. Required Plant Biology Courses:
    1. Plant Biology : BIOLOGY 230*;
    2. Plant Diversity : BIOLOGY 255* [EEB 436* may be substituted];
    3. Plant Physiology  : MCDB 321;
  3. Choose at least two plant biology elective courses from the specialized course list (EEB 401, 420, 436*, 455*, 459*, 463*, 472, 489*; MCDB 322*, 401, 406, 413*, 430); at least one of these must be a lab course (indicated by *). Three credits of EEB 300/400 or MCDB 300/400 can be included as one of these elective courses, and will count for laboratory credit as well, as long as the research is conducted in a plant biology research lab. Only three credits (total) of independent research credits may count toward the major. "Library research" and introductory biology laboratories do not qualify.
  4. Additional BIOLOGY, EEB, or MCDB courses at the 200-level or above (except BIOLOGY 200, BIOLOGY 262EEB 302, MCDB 302, MCDB 412) to bring the major total to at least 30 credits (33 credits for students who took BIOLOGY 162 or 163, or have AP credit for BIOLOGY 162 ). One cognate course may be used here (e.g., advanced math, chemistry, physics courses; STATS 400; BIOSTAT 503) with advisor approval. You are strongly encouraged to elect at least two credits of independent research and to enroll for a summer session at the Biological Station. The fourth course, from the required general courses listed in the first category (above) may also be taken and will count as an elective in this category.

Advising. Advising appointments are scheduled at 1111 Natural Science Building. Office staff also are prepared to answer questions about various aspects of both programs. Questions about content and appropriateness of course elections should be directed to individual instructors or advisors.

Plant Biology major (Winter 2007 through Summer 2008) +

Effective Winter 2007 through Summer 2008

 

Plant Biology

May be elected as a departmental major

Students concentrating in Plant Biology may not also concentrate in other Biology departmental majors - including Biology, General Biology, CMB, Microbiology, Neuroscience, and EEB

The Plant Biology major provides undergraduates with training in those areas of science that are essential to an understanding of modern plant sciences. Like the Biology major, this major deals with all of the major levels of biological organization (molecular, cellular, organismal, ecological, and evolutionary), but differs from the Biology major by its greater emphasis on the biology of plants. This program is well suited for those who wish to study biology as part of a liberal education, or to prepare for a teaching career in secondary schools. It also provides excellent preparation for graduate study in basic and applied areas of the plant sciences and related fields, such as ecology, genetics, microbiology, and biochemistry.

Prerequisites to the Major.

  •   BIOLOGY 171, 172 and 173; or BIOLOGY 195 and BIOLOGY 173; or BIOLOGY 162; or BIOLOGY 163;
  •   CHEMISTRY 210/211 and CHEMISTRY 215/216;
  •  MATH 115 and 116;
  • PHYSICS 125/127 and 126/128; or PHYSICS 135/141 and 235/241; or PHYSICS 140/141 and 240/241.

 

Program of study in a major. A minimum of 33 credits (30 credits for those who elected the new introductory Biology series BIOLOGY 171, 172, 173; or BIOLOGY 195 and 173), including:

1. General Courses. Choose at least three of the following four courses (* indicates lab courses):

a.  Genetics (BIOLOGY 305).

b.  Biochemistry (BIOLOGY 310, 311, BIOLCHEM 415, or CHEM 451 and 452).

c.   Evolution (BIOLOGY 390).

d.   Ecology and Evolution (BIOLOGY 281 [or EEB 381*]).

2.  Required Plant Biology Courses:

a.   Plant Biology (BIOLOGY 230*);

b.   Plant Diversity (EEB 255* [BIOLOGY 355* may be substituted];

c.   Plant Physiology (MCDB 321);

3.  Choose at least two plant biology elective courses from the specialized course list (EEB 355*, 401, 420, 459*, 463*, 472, 489*; MCDB 322*, 406, 413*, 430, 401); at least one of these must be a lab course (indicated by *). Three credits of EEB 300/400 or MCDB 300/400 can be included as one of these elective courses, and will count for laboratory credit as well, as long as the research is conducted in a plant biology research lab. Only three credits (total) of independent research credits may count toward the major. "Library research" and introductory biology laboratories do not qualify.

4.  Additional BIOLOGY, EEB, or MCDB courses at the 200-level or above (except BIOLOGY 200, BIOLOGY 262EEB 302, MCDB 302, MCDB 412) to bring the major total to at least 33 credits (30 credits for those who elected the new introductory Biology series). One cognate course may be used here (e.g., advanced math, chemistry, physics courses; STATS 400; BIOSTAT 503) with advisor approval. You are strongly encouraged to elect at least two credits of independent research and to enroll for a summer session at the Biological Station. The fourth course, from the required general courses listed in the first category (above) may also be taken and will count as an elective in this category.

Advising. Advising appointments are scheduled at 1111 Natural Science Building. Office staff also are prepared to answer questions about various aspects of both programs. Questions about content and appropriateness of course elections should be directed to individual instructors or advisors.

 

Plant Biology major (Effective through Fall 2006) +

Effective through Fall 2006 

May be elected as a departmental major

The Plant Biology major provides undergraduates with training in those areas of science that are essential to an understanding of modern plant sciences. Like the biology major, this major deals with all of the major levels of biological organization (molecular, cellular, organismal, ecological, and evolutionary), but differs from the Biology major by its greater emphasis on the biology of plants. This program is well suited for those who wish to study biology as part of a liberal education, or to prepare for a teaching career in secondary schools. It also provides excellent preparation for graduate study in basic and applied areas of the plant sciences and related fields, such as ecology, genetics, microbiology, and biochemistry.

Prerequisites to the Major. BIOLOGY 162; CHEM 210/211, 215/216; MATH 115 and 116; PHYSICS 125/127 and 126/128, or PHYSICS 140/141 and 240/241.

Program of study in a major. A minimum of 33 credits, including:

  1. Biochemistry (BIOLOGY 310, 311, BIOLCHEM 415, or CHEM 451 and 452).

  2. Genetics (BIOLOGY 305).

  3. One course from each of three of the following four categories:
    1. Cellular and Molecular Biology (MCDB 406, 413, or 430);

    2. Plant Structure, Function, and Development (MCDB 321/322, EEB 375, or EEB 461);

    3. Biological Diversity (EEB 255, 457, 458, 459, or 556);

    4. Ecology and Evolution (BIOLOGY 281/282 [or EEB 381], 390).

     

  4. Two additional courses not used to satisfy Requirement 3, from one of the categories in Requirement 3 or from the following, more specialized courses: BIOLOGY 215, EEB 355, EEB 415, EEB 468, EEB 490, EEB 495, EEB 498.

  5. Three laboratory courses (courses used to meet above requirements can be used to satisfy this requirement). Three credits of EEB or MCDB 300 can be included as one of the required laboratory courses. Only three credits of independent study may count toward the major.

  6. Any other biology courses at the 200-level or above (or up to the maximum of two cognate courses) chosen in consultation with and approved by the department advisor.

Advising. Advising appointments are scheduled at 1111 Natural Science Building. Office staff also are prepared to answer questions about various aspects of both programs. Questions about content and appropriateness of course elections should be directed to individual instructors or advisors.


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