C O L L E G E O F A G R I C U LT U R E & L I F E S C I E N C E S
BS
PLANT BIOLOGY
WHAT IS PLANT BIOLOGY? Plant biology is a branch of biology that focuses on the study of plant life – from the molecule to the organism to the ecosystem. In the same way that medical researchers seek clinical solutions to challenges in health care, plant biologists seek to provide the insights that make it possible to feed, clothe, and shelter our ever-growing global population in spite of intensifying environmental concerns, especially climate change.
WHY PLANT BIOLOGY AT UVM? • As a plant biology student at UVM, you will be a part of making decisions critical to the future of our species, which must be informed by our insights into plants, the source of all sustenance. • Nestled between the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain, UVM is surrounded by rich and diverse natural areas offering endless opportunities to explore the plant sciences. • Our unique B.S. in Plant Biology is the only basic plant biology program in the state of Vermont, and we are one of only 22 plant biology departments in the nation. • Amazing hands-on learning opportunities, including a biennial trip to Costa Rica and student-initiated projects at the internationally-known Proctor Maple Research Center and the Pringle Herbarium, the third largest plant collection in New England. • Many opportunities to get involved in impactful current research in plant genetics, ecology, evolution, complex systems, cell and molecular biology and more, under the close mentorship of a faculty advisor.
CORE COURSES PBIO 004 Intro to Botany BCOR 101 Genetics PBIO 104 Plant Physiology PBIO 109 Plant Systematics CHEM 141 Organic Chemistry
ELECTIVE COURSES PBIO 117 Plant Pathology PBIO 133 How Plants Can Save the World PBIO 151 Plant Anatomy PBIO 177 Biology of Fungi PBIO 241 Tropical Plant Systematics PBIO 295 Plant Symbioses: Evolution Sampling of courses only. Explore more course offerings: go.uvm.edu/pbio
Plant biology associate professor Mary Tierney takes student Molly Searway on her first visit to the growth chamber room in the basement of Jeffords Hall.
C O L L E G E O F A G R I C U LT U R E & L I F E S C I E N C E S
BS
PLANT BIOLOGY
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT When not in class, Katie Bardsley ’21 works in UVM’s Keller Lab, studying red spruce tree samples and how their migratory patterns may be affected by climate change. An Honors College student with minors in Statistics and Chemistry, Bardsley attributes much of her learning to research. “The research component brings to life what I’ve learned in the classroom in real time,” she says. “The research culture in the department is amazing. Professors always put your interests as a student first.”
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES CALS DISTINGUISHED UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROGRAM INTERNSHIPS AT UVM’S PRINGLE HERBARIUM PLANT BIOLOGY TRAVEL STUDY COURSES IN THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, MEXICO & COSTA RICA
ALUMNI IN ACTION “I wouldn’t be where I am without the Plant Biology Department at UVM.” - Owen Hudson ‘18, University of Georgia MS Student
Owen Hudson ‘18, now a graduate student in plant pathology at the University of Georgia, says that his current research on fungicide resistance stems directly from the work he did as an undergraduate plant biology major at UVM. “I’m building off the foundation I got at UVM every day,” he says. “Often I am the only person in the department who is able to connect and draw further conclusions to other work or subjects based on the diverse background that I got in plant biology.”
CONTACT Department of Plant Biology 111 Jeffords Hall, 63 Carrigan Drive Burlington, VT 05405 802-656-2930 plantbio@uvm.edu
L E A R N M O R E AT
go.uvm.edu/pbio