Botany

Course Structure

1. Enroll in at least 6/6/2/ credit hours for fall/spring/summer to hold a GTA or GRA.
2. Complete a minimum of 30 credit hours approved for graduate credit. A minimum of 21 hours must be at the 5000-level or above and must include at least, but no more than, 6 hours in research (thesis credit; BOT 5000). Thus a maximum of 9 credit hours of courses numbered 3000* or 4000* may be counted toward the M.S.
3. Maintain a 3.0 GPA.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in two core areas in Botany by completing, to the satisfaction of your committee, two courses in each of the two areas listed below. These requirements may be fulfilled prior to entering the M.S. program. Your Committee will determine which courses taken at previous institutions may be counted toward these requirements. Plant Ecology and Evolution (e.g., Plant Diversity and Morphology, Plant Taxonomy, Field Botany, Ecology, Evolution). Plant Cell and Molecular Biology (e.g., Plant Anatomy, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Plant Physiology).
5. Plant Ecology and Evolution (e.g., Plant Diversity and Morphology, Plant Taxonomy, Field Botany, Ecology, Evolution).
6. Plant Cell and Molecular Biology (e.g., Plant Anatomy, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Plant Physiology).
7. Complete BOT 5110.360, Professional Development, during the first full year of enrollment, typically taught each fall. Credit hrs: 1.
8. Present two seminars to the Botany Department: one based on your research proposal and one on thesis research. Enroll in BOT 5850, Botany Seminar, during term of presentation. Credit hrs: 2.
9. Take at least 3 graduate courses to total at least 9 credit hours at the 5000-level or above. Graduate courses taken to fulfill the proficiency requirement noted above and/or taken prior to entering the M.S. program may be counted. Your Committee will determine additional coursework required, depending on your background and goals.
10. Any remaining credit hours toward the M.S. must be taken in courses approved for graduate credit (e.g., 3000*, 4000*, 5000, 6000), as long as at least 21 credit hours are at or above the 5000-level. Maximum credit hours allowed to count toward the M.S. in BOT 5000, 5110, and 5210 are 6, 24, and 12 hours, respectively.
11. Refer to attached \x93Progress Towards M.S. Degree Worksheet\x94 to track progress toward degree requirements.
12. If you plan to take courses not required by your Committee, you must obtain written permission from your Advisor and have that memo placed in your file in the Botany office.
13. Students actively enrolled in the M.S. program at the time these revisions were approved may adopt these updated requirements, in lieu of a previous Plan of Study, with approval of their Advisor and Committee. Students must file an approved, revised Plan of Study with the Graduate College during or after Fall 2010 if one has already been submitted.