Links to related Web Sites are listed at the bottom of this page.
PLANT BIOLOGY
Anatomy
Biochemistry
Biophysics
Cytology
Ecology
Genetics
Molecular Biology
Morphology
Paleobotany
Physiology
Systematics
Systems Ecology
Taxonomy
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- Research organizations
- Colleges and universities
- Museums
- Botanical gardens and arboretums
- U.S. Department of Agriculture branches
including Medical Plant Resources Laboratory,
Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, National Arboretum, U.S. Forest Service
- Federal agencies including Departments of Interior and State,U.S. Public Health Service,
NASA, the Smithsonian Institution, and
EPA
- State agencies
- Environmental and biotechnical regulatory
agencies
- Ecological consulting companies
- Industries including petrochemical, chemical, and lumber and paper
- Companies including pharmaceutical, food, seed and nursery, fruit growers, biological supply houses, and biotechnology firms
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Obtain a Ph.D. for teaching and advanced research
positions.
Conduct undergraduate research with professors to
gain experience.
Apply for undergraduate research fellowships or other student research programs.
Maintain a high grade point average and develop good
references in preparation for graduate school.
Develop excellent computer skills.
Join related professional associations.
Read scientific journals or articles to stay abreast of
current research.
Learn federal and state government job application
process.
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APPLIED PLANT SCIENCE
Agronomy
Biotechnology
Breeding
Economic Botany
Food Science and Technology
Forestry
Horticulture
Natural Resource Management
Plant Pathology |
- Colleges and universities
- Research organizations
- Agriculture industry including lumber and paper, seed and nursery, fruit and vegetable growers,
fermentation, food industry, and biological
supply houses
- Biotechnology firms
- Industries including petrochemical, pharmaceutical,
and chemical
- Ecological consulting companies
- Federal, state, and local government agencies
- Environmental and biotechnical regulatory agencies
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Take courses or double major in your area of interest.
Gain relevant experience through volunteer positions, part-time work, or internships.
Obtain a Ph.D. for teaching, advanced research positions, and administration.
Learn a foreign language for international work such as plant studies in the tropics.
Learn federal, state and local government job
application process. |
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ORGANISMIC SPECIALTIES
Bryology
Lichenology
Microbiology
Pteridology
Mycology
Phycology/Marine Botanists |
- Colleges and universities
- Research organizations
Federal and state government laboratories including:
- Agriculture, Health, etc.
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Food and beverage industries including brewing and fermentation
- Hospitals
- Related industries
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Gain experience working with technology.
Become familiar with laboratory procedures and
equipment.
Assist a professor with research or find a part-time
job in a laboratory.
Obtain a graduate degree in area of interest. |
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EDUCATION
Teaching
Research
Administration |
- Public and private high schools
- Colleges and universities
- Museums, botanical gardens and herbaria
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Gain certification or licensure for high school science teaching.
Obtain a Ph.D. for positions in college teaching and
research.
Gain experience through tutoring.
Learn to work well with different types of people. |
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COMMUNICATION
Writing
Editing
Botanical Illustration |
- Publishing companies including newspapers,
magazines, books, and textbooks
- Professional associations
- Scientific and educational software companies
- Non-profit organizations
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Take courses in technical writing, journalism, or
illustration.
Develop word processing and desktop publishing
skills or computer-aided design.
Find an internship with a magazine, newspaper, or
publisher.
Obtain a master's degree in scientific journalism. |
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LAW
Agricultural
Environmental
Biotechnological
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- Law firms with environmental focus
- Government agencies and regulatory agencies
- Biotechnical regulatory firms or agencies
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Obtain law degree after completion of bachelor's
degree.
Gain relevant experience by working at a law firm. |
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BUSINESS
Sales/Marketing
Administration/Management
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- Pharmaceutical companies
- Seed companies
- Biotechnology firms
- Scientific publishers
- Biological supply houses
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Earn a minor in business.
Hold leadership positions in campus organizations.
Join related professional associations.
Develop good communication skills; take a course in public speaking.
Learn various software packages including spread
sheets, databases, and word processing. |
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| COMPUTER PROGRAMMING |
- Scientific and educational software companies
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Double major or minor in computer programming.
Gain related work experience through internships or part-time and summer jobs. |
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GENERAL INFORMATION
• Bachelor's degree qualifies one for work as a laboratory technician or technical assistant in education, industry, government, museums, parks, and gardens.
• Master's degree opens some opportunities in research and administration.
• Ph.D. is required for advanced research and administrative positions or college teaching. Most plant scientists work in higher education.
• Build good relationships with science professors and secure strong recommendations. Maintain a high g.p.a. for graduate school admission.
• Obtain part-time, summer, co-op, volunteer, or internship experience with government agencies, college/university labs, agricultural experiment stations, freshwater
and marine biological stations, or private companies.
• Complete an undergraduate research project to decide on a specific area of interest in botany.
• Enjoy outdoor activities if planning to conduct research in an outdoor environment.
• Join organizations concerned with the world food supply and other related areas. Read scientific journals related to botany.
• Develop an excellent background in mathematics and strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Select a broad range of courses in English, social sciences, arts, and humanities.
• Become proficient with computers. |
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