Introduction

Botany is the area of biology that deals with plants, fungi and photosynthetic microorganisms. 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 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 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 (BIO250Y1), 2) organismal (BOT251Y1), and 3) ecological/evolutionary (BIO150Y1) 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 (416-978-7172)

Botany Programs

Biogeography: see Geography

Biology: see Biology

Note: Students in these Programs are encouraged to notify the Botany Undergraduate Office, Room 3055A, Earth Sciences Centre of their course selections, beginning in the Second Year

Botany (Science program)

Specialist program:
(12 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)
Enrolment in this program requires completion of four courses, including BIO150Y1 and CHM 138, CHM139H1/CHM151Y1 and one 100-series course from CSC108H1, CSC148H1; JMB170Y1/MAT135Y1/MAT136Y1/MAT137Y1; PHY110Y1/PHY138Y1/PHY140Y1; no minimum GPA is required.

First and Second Years:
1. BIO150Y1; CHM138H1, CHM139H1/CHM151Y1
2. Two courses from: BCH210H1; CHM (CHM220H1, CHM247H1); CSC108H1, CSC148H1; JMB170Y1/MAT135Y1/MAT136Y1/MAT137Y1; PHY110Y1/PHY138Y1/PHY140Y1; STA220H1, (STA221H1/JBS229H1)
3. BIO250Y1, BIO260H1; BOT251Y1

Higher Years:
1. ENV234Y1 or 1.0 courses from: BIO319H1, BIO321H1, BIO323H1, BIO324H1; BOT300H1, BOT307H1
2. 2.5 courses from: BIO302H1, BIO303H1, BIO305H1, BIO306H1, BIO308H1, BIO328H1, BIO349H1, BIO351Y1; BOT 300+ series
3. 2.0 courses from: BIO428H1, BIO440H1, BIO472H1, BIO473H1; BOT 400-series; MGB460H1

Major program:
(8 full courses or their equivalent)
Enrolment in this program requires completion of four courses, including BIO150Y1 and CHM138H1, CHM139H1/CHM151Y1 and one course from: CSC108H1, CSC148H1; JMB170Y1/ MAT135Y1/MAT136Y1/MAT137Y1; PHY1 110Y1/PHY138Y1/PHY140Y1; no minimum GPA is required.
First Y1ear:
1. BIO150Y1; CHM138H1, CHM139H1/CHM151Y1
2. One course from: CSC108H1, CSC148H1; JMB170Y1/MAT135Y1/MAT136Y1/MAT137Y1; PHY110Y1/PHY138Y1/PHY140Y1

Higher Years:
1. BIO250Y1; BOT251Y1
2. One 200+ level course in BCH210H1, BIO, BOT, ENV234Y1 (excluding BOT202Y1)
3. Two courses from: BIO302H1, BIO303H1, BIO305H1, BIO306H1, BIO308H1, BIO349H1, BIO351Y1, BIO428H1, BIO440H1, BIO472H1, BIO473H1; BOT 300+ series; MGB460H1

Minor program:
(4 full courses or their equivalent)
Enrolment in this program requires completion of four courses, including BIO150Y1; no minimum GPA is required.
1. BIO150Y1; BOT251Y1
2. One full course from BIO/BOT/ENV/MGB460H1 (excluding BOT202Y1)
3. One BOT 300+ level course
Developmental Biology: see Biology
Ecology: see Biology
Evolutionary Biology: see Biology

Molecular Plant Biology (Science program)

Specialist program:
(11.5 or 12 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)
Enrolment in this program requires completion of four courses, including BIO150Y1, CHM138H1, CHM139H1/CHM151Y1 and JMB170Y1/MAT135Y1/MAT136Y1/MAT137Y1; no minimum GPA is required.

First Year:
BIO150Y1; CHM138H1, CHM139H1/CHM151Y1; JMB170Y1/MAT135Y1/MAT136Y1/MAT137Y1

Second Year:
BCH210H1, BIO250Y1, BIO260H1; BOT251Y1; CHM220H1, CHM247H1

Third and Fourth Years:
1. BOT458H1; BIO349H1/MGB311Y1*; MGB460H1
2. 3.0 courses from BIO351Y1, 472H1, 473H1; BOT301H1, BOT340H1, BOT341H1, BOT351H1, BOT421H1, BOT460Y1, 461H1, BOT462Y1, 463H1
NOTE: no Molecular Plant Biology Major program exists; therefore, a student may qualify for a Botany major after third year.
*With permission of Undergraduate Secretary, Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Biology

Plant Physiology & Metabolism (Science program)

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 BIO150Y1 and CHM138H1, CHM139H1/CHM151Y1 and JMB170Y1/MAT135Y1/MAT136Y1/MAT137Y1; no minimum GPA is required.

First Year:
BIO150Y1; CHM138H1, CHM139H1/CHM151Y1; JMB170Y1/MAT135Y1/MAT136Y1/MAT137Y1

Second Year:
BCH210H1; BIO250Y1, BIO260H1, BOT251Y1; CHM220H1, CHM247H1
Third & Fourth Years:
BIO328H1, BIO349H1, , 472H1, 473H1; BOT421H1, BOT458H1; MGB460H1; 2.0 courses from 300+ level BIO/BOT

Note: No Plant Physiology and Metabolism Major program exists, therefore a student may qualify for a Botany major after third year.