On this page: Introduction | Programs |
See also: Faculty Members | Course Descriptions | Course Winter Timetable | Prospective Student Guide to Academic Programs | More on Department

Introduction

The part of biology that deals with plants and, by tradition, with the fungi and photosynthetic microorganisms, is called botany. Humans and all other animals are dependent on green plants and algae as the main source of our food and our oxygen. Knowledge of plant biology is essential for solving some of society’s most pressing problems such as feeding our increasing population and maintaining the earth’s fragile ecosystems. Plant biology is an increasingly active research area, and the past decade has already brought major advances in understanding how plants function. Many new possibilities have been developed for the better use of plants by people, including the engineering of improved crops, weed control, plant breeding and the industrial production of plant-derived biochemicals such as anticancer drugs.

The areas of specialization within botany that address problems of importance to humans most directly include: Plant Biotechnology which uses molecular biology to exploit the genetic and biochemical potential of plants; Plant Pathology which is the study of plant diseases. Problems relating to the chemistry, physics and control of cellular processes are considered in the fields of Biochemistry, Development and Molecular Biology. The unique aspects of whole organisms are addressed also in Plant Development (multicellular plants) and in Mycology (fungi) and Phycology (algae). Ecology deals with the interaction of plants with their environment, while Evolutionary and Systematic Botany analyzes both the processes and products of evolution.

Many botany specialists find careers in government research laboratories, hospitals, museums, environmental consulting companies, agricultural product firms and, increasingly, with biotechnology research institutes and private companies. Others teach at either the secondary school or university level. Specialization in Botany or Biology at the undergraduate level is sufficient for some kinds of employment, while others require an advanced degree (M.Sc. or Ph.D.).

A student who wishes to specialize in Botany should seek advice from the Botany Undergraduate Office. Generally, a foundation in chemistry, mathematics and (usually) physics is advisable for the study of plant biology. It is also required that students take introductory courses dealing with three aspects of biology: 1) molecular/cellular (BIO 250Y), 2) organismal (BOT 251Y), and 3) ecological/evolutionary (BIO 150Y) before specializing further in a plant biology subdiscipline. The Department of Botany Undergraduate Office gives further information about courses and programs.

Associate Chair (Undergraduate):

Professor R.F. Sage, Room 2072, Earth Sciences Centre

Undergraduate Administrator:

Ms. S. Speller, Room 3055A, Earth Sciences Centre (978-7172)

BOTANY PROGRAMS

BIOGEOGRAPHY — See GEOGRAPHY

BOTANY (B.Sc.)

Specialist program (Hon.B.Sc.):
(12 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)
Enrolment in this program requires completion of four courses, including BIO 150Y and CHM 138, 139H/151Y and one 100-series course from CSC 108H, 148H/260H; MAT 135Y/137Y/JMB 170Y; PHY 110Y/138Y/140Y; no minimum GPA is required.

First and Second Years:

1. BIO 150Y; CHM 138H, 139H/137Y/151Y
2. Two courses from: CHM 240Y/241Y; CSC 108H, 148H/260H; MAT 135Y/137Y/JMB 170Y; PHY 110Y/138Y/140Y; STA 220H,
(STA 221H/JBS 229H)
3. BIO 250Y, 260H; BOT 251Y

Higher Years:

1. ENV 234Y or 1.0 courses from: BIO 319H, 321H, 323H, 324H; BOT 300H, 307H
2. 2.5 courses from: BIO 301H, 302H, 303H, 306H, 307H, 308H, 328H, 351Y; BOT 300+ series
3. Two courses from: BIO 428H; BOT 400-series; JGB 410H; MGB 460H

Major program (B.Sc.):
(8 full courses or their equivalent)
Enrolment in this program requires completion of four courses, including BIO 150Y and CHM 138H, 139H/151Y; no minimum GPA is required.

First Year:

1. BIO 150Y; CHM 138H, 139H/137Y/151Y
2. One course from: CSC 108H, 148H/260H; MAT 135Y/137Y/JMB 170Y; PHY 110Y/138Y/140Y

Higher Years:

1. BIO 250Y; BOT 251Y
2. One 200+ level course in BIO, BOT, ENV 234Y (excluding BOT 202Y)
3. Two courses from: BIO 301H, 302H, 303H, 306H, 307H, 308H, 351Y, 428H; BOT 300+ series; JGB 410H; MGB 460H

Minor program (B.Sc.):
(4 full courses or their equivalent)
Enrolment in this program requires completion of four courses, including BIO 150Y; no minimum GPA is required.

1. BIO 150Y; BOT 251Y
2. One full course from BIO/BOT/ENV/JLM/MGB 460H (excluding BOT 202Y)
3. One BOT 300+ level course

MOLECULAR PLANT BIOLOGY (Hon. B.Sc.)

Specialist program:
(12.5 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)
Enrolment in this program requires completion of four courses, including BIO 150Y, CHM 138H, 139H/151Y and MAT 135Y/137Y/JMB 170Y; no minimum GPA is required.

First Year:
BIO 150Y; CHM 138H, 139H/137Y/151Y; MAT 135Y/137Y/JMB 170Y

Second Year:
BIO 250Y, 260H; BOT 251Y; CHM 222Y, 240Y

Third and Fourth Years:

1. BCH 321Y, 430H; BOT 322Y; MGB 311Y, 460H
2. Two of BOT 301H, 340H, 351Y, 421H, BIO 351Y
NOTE: no Molecular Plant Biology Major program exists; therefore, a student may qualify for a Botany major after third year.

PLANT PATHOLOGY (Hon. B.Sc.)

Specialist program:
(11.5 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)
Enrolment in this program requires completion of four courses, including BIO 150Y and CHM 138H, 139H/151Y; no minimum GPA is required.

First and Second Years:

1. BIO 150Y; CHM 138H, 139H/137Y/151Y
2. Two courses from: CHM 240Y/241Y; CSC 108H, 148H/260H; MAT 135Y/137Y/JMB 170Y; PHY 110Y/138Y/140Y; STA 220H, (221H/JBS 229H)
3. BIO 250Y; BOT 251Y; ENV 234Y/BIO319H, 321H/BIO 260H, JLM 349H

Higher Years:

1. BOT 301H, 351H, 452Y, 405H/458H
2. BIO 351Y
3. One course from: BIO 301H, 302H, 303H, 306H, 307H, 308H; BOT 300+ series; MBY 375Y, MGB 460H\
NOTE: No Plant Pathology Major program exists; therefore, a student may qualify for a Botany major after third year.

PLANT PHYSIOLOGY & METABOLISM (Hon. B.Sc.)

Specialist program:
(10 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)
Enrolment in this program requires completion of four courses, including BIO 150Y and CHM 138H, 139H/151Y; no minimum GPA is required.

First Year:
BIO 150Y; CHM 138H, 139H/137Y/151Y; MAT 135Y/137Y/JMB 170Y

Second Year:
BIO 250Y, BOT 251Y; CHM 240Y/241Y
Third & Fourth Years:
BOT 322Y, 323H, 328H, 421H; BCH 310H; JLM 349H; MGB 460H
NOTE: No Plant Physiology and Metabolism Major program exists, therefore a student may qualify for a Botany major after third year. Plant Pathology specialists should consult with a member of the pathology faculty as early as possible in their programs.

DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY — See BIOLOGY

ECOLOGY — See BIOLOGY

EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY — See BIOLOGY