Regardless of the specialty, we all benefit from their work. Simply put, botany is the study of plants. While it may sound straightforward, botany includes the study of everything from algae to giant Redwood trees, from the microscopic level to the ecosystem level. Botanists study various aspects of plants. For example, they may study their physiological processes such as photosynthesis at the molecular level, the evolutionary history and relationships of plants, or their current relationships with their environments.
They may focus on the agricultural applications of plants used for food, fiber, fuel, turf, and cover crops, studying their responses to stresses from pests, disease, and climate variations. They may also work on plant breeding to development hardier strains. Plant ecologists study the relationships plants have with their environments, each other, and the wildlife communities to which they belong.
Their work focuses on conservation of native species, reducing the invasion of non-native exotic plants, and improving the ecosystem services like clean air and erosion protection they provide. Some botanists conduct experiments to enhance the yield, disease resistance, drought resistance, or nutritional value of crops.
They may also develop environmentally safe ways to control weeds, diseases, and pests. Others study plant processes at the molecular level to find new uses for them as medicines, remediation tools, raw materials, biofuels, or fabrics. Some botanists study the effects of different types of pollution on plants. They use what they learn to advise policymakers and help protect endangered species and natural areas. The important work of botanists is critical to environmental conservation.
Their research helps determine how different plants may react to climate change, and how to protect native species from invasive ones.
Agricultural botanists work at the front lines of the food crisis, and help increase supplies of medicines, fibers, and timber as well. Learn more about botany: study of plants.
Botanists work for seed companies, where they conduct research to enhance seed properties. They also work on genetic engineering or product development for biotechnology firms and pharmaceutical companies.
Responsibilities include implementing research goals, plant cross-pollination, gene isolation, breeding, recordkeeping, and research publication. The tasks of a plant geneticist require being organized, analytical, detail-minded, and articulate. Even at the entry level, this is one of the most well-paid careers in botany.
Plant breeders are hired by seed companies, food producers, universities, research firms, and government departments. The heart of this profession is hands-on plant care.
Field botanists engage in plant propagation, growth, and cultivation, both in the laboratory and outdoors. They help to invent new medicines and optimize crop production. They also identify invasive plants that threaten native species.
At a school, a field botanist may develop a horticulture curriculum or on-site garden, along with training students in plant care. At a research center, field botanists are tasked with finding new scientific uses for plants. They're also employed by arboretums, botanic gardens, conservatories, medical labs, state and national parks, and science journals. For job success, a candidate needs in-depth knowledge of plant physiology, statistics, and calculus. They must also be adaptable and articulate.
Since field botanists draft surveys, manuscripts, grant applications, and research projects, they need strong writing skills. For the college grad with the proverbial green thumb, this is one of the most fulfilling careers in botany. Naturalists raise environmental awareness through education. Otherwise, associate's and bachelor's degree programs in horticulture prepare individuals for positions such as landscape designer, golf course superintendent, floral designer and extension educator.
Management positions in garden centers, botanical gardens and grounds maintenance often require a degree as well. Botany is the scientific study of plants. Botanists investigate how plants have evolved, and how they grow and develop.
They seek to understand how plants are related to one another and how people use them. Botanists study plant life from microscopic bacteria, algae and fungi to the giant redwood tree.
A bachelor's degree in botany typically requires coursework in chemistry, physics and mathematics along with plant science. If you want to be a botanist, you should major in botany or biology as an undergraduate. You can receive a master's or doctoral degree in botany or in a more specialized area, such as plant physiology. Although there are some jobs for those with a bachelor's degree, such as technical writer or biological technician, opportunities for advancement are limited.
There are some teaching and applied research positions for those who have earned a master's degree in an area of botany. You need a doctoral degree for a teaching and research position at a university or a job as an administrator. It generally takes four years to earn a bachelor's degree and another one or two years for a master's degree. You need to study for an additional two or three years to obtain a doctoral degree. To keep up with new findings in plant science, botanists must continue to study throughout their careers.
Your professors and college placement office may help you to find a job as a botanist. You can also apply directly to colleges and universities, private firms, museums, botanical gardens, and government agencies involved with plant science. Sometimes you must pass a civil service test to get a government job.
There are job openings listed in newspaper classifieds, Internet job banks, and professional journals. There are many advancement possibilities for botanists, especially for those who have a doctoral degree. They can become directors of research at government agencies or in private companies. Those who teach and do research at universities and colleges can advance to the rank of full professor. Many botanists feel that the highest form of advancement is to be recognized as experts in their areas of specialization.
Generally botanists get this recognition after publishing significant research findings in professional journals. The employment outlook for botanists who have advanced degrees is good through ; their employment is projected to grow about as fast as average.
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