Majoring in Botany
Students majoring in Botany study the fundamental biology of plants and fungi from molecular and cellular to the global ecosystem level. The curriculum includes core classes in plant structure, systematics, ecology, and physiology, along with courses in biochemistry, cell biology, and genetics. Students also learn how to apply their knowledge to current issues and problems of in food production, conservation, and healthy ecosystems.
Botany Undergraduate Major Requirements
Botany Majors can select one of five options:
- Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Option (Corvallis)
- Mycology and Plant Pathology Option (Corvallis, Ecampus)
- Molecular, Cellular and Genomic Botany Option (Corvallis)
- Comprehensive Botany Option (Corvallis)
- Customizable Option (Corvallis, Ecampus)
Botany minor
The Botany minor requires courses in plant genetics, systematics, physiology, and ecology. Learn more.
Adding a minor
Botany students can have room for up to 18 credits of electives. Minors and certificates require 27 credits and double counting may be allowed. The botany major is only a few classes short of a chemistry minor. We encourage undergraduate students to explore adding a complementary minor or certificate to their degree program.
- Agricultural Education
- Agricultural Sciences
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
- Biological Data Sciences
- Chemistry
- Comparative International Agriculture
- Crop Science
- Earth Sciences
- Entomology
- Environmental Sciences
- Forestry
- Horticulture
- Indigenous Studies
- Leadership
- Marine Biology
- Marine Conservation & Management
- Microbiology
- Natural Resources
- Photography
- Rangeland Science
- Soil Science
- Sustainability
- Toxicology
- Wood Innovation for Sustainability
Certificates:
Learning by Experience
Botany students earn upper-division credit and great job skills by putting their knowledge to work in undergraduate research projects and internships at OSU and off-campus. Learn more about these activities and research scholarships, and see some examples and get advice from our Botany alumni.