A botanical concentration should include:
BIO 302 Plant Diversity| The development and diversity of fungi, algae and land plants and the relationships between them. Field and laboratory work familiarizes the student with the structure and reproduction of algae and plants and with the identification and pollination of flowering plants in the local flora. |
| A study of the morphology, physiology and biochemistry of representative microorganisms. The laboratory emphasizes basic bacteriological techniques and procedures. |
| A study of the functioning of plants, with emphasis on vascular plants. |
| An examination of the basic concepts of ecology with extensive laboratory work and field experiences in freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. |
| An introduction to elementary descriptive and inferential statistics with emphasis on conceptual understanding. |
For students interested in plant systematics, ecology, or plant physiology, the following courses are suggested as well as a computer course.
BCMB 401 Molecular Biology| Gene structure, function and regulation at the molecular level in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Recombinant DNA techniques (genetic engineering) and gene sequencing are covered in detail. |
| The study of the chemistry of the molecules of life. Topics covered include: the applications of pH & buffers, amino acid chemistry, protein structure & function, the thermodynamics of protein folding, protein purification & analysis, ligand binding, enzyme mechanisms and enzyme kinetics. |
| The continued study of the chemistry of the molecules of life. Topics covered include carbohydrate chemistry & metabolism, coenzyme mechanisms, electron transport & oxidative phosphorylation, lipid chemistry, membranes, lipid metabolism amino acid metabolism and the integrated function of intermediary metabolism & its metabolic control. |
| A study of many of the invertebrate phyla, concentrating on the physiological mechanisms controlling movement, metabolism, information, and control and reproduction. |