Botany Major
The botany major provides an introduction to the living world: the diversity of its organisms, its historical origins through evolution, its principles of structure, function, and ecology, and its interactions with the nonliving world.
Faculty members investigate plants, algae, fungi and bacteria, and are authorities in plant biology ranging from molecular functions in cells to behavior of ecosystems.
The botany major requires an independent research project that is usually completed during the senior year. It provides an extended hands-on learning opportunity that is rare in other programs.
Requirements
In addition to fulfilling university and L&S requirements, students must fulfill the following requirements for the botany major and its independent research project:
The total number of credits in biology, botany and independent research must equal at least 30.
Advising and Declaration
Prospective botany majors should consult with the undergraduate botany advisor no later than the beginning of their junior year to outline an appropriate course of study.
To be accepted as a major in botany, a student must have a GPA of 2.5 for all science courses taken during the freshman and sophomore years.
How to Declare:
- Students interested in the botany major can schedule an advising session with Mark Connolly.
- This meeting will cover general information about the major and explain research areas in botany that students can study.
- Explore the following research areas to learn about potential faculty and labs that interest you.
Botanical Research Areas
Dive into the taxonomy and evolution of various plant lineages, statewide floristics, tropical fieldwork, and herbarium curation learn about methods and theory of phylogenetic reconstruction, and the interplay among evolution, ecology, biogeography, and development.
Systematics is a synthetic science that employs multiple lines of evidence to develop systems of nomenclature, classification, floristic inventories, and hypotheses of phylogenetic relationships.
The process of evolution and mechanisms of speciation are the ultimate driving forces leading to the diversity of life.
Faculty members include: David Baum, Kenneth Cameron, Eve Emshwiller Chris Muir, Anne Pringle, Daniel Spalink
Analyze the basis for ecological and evolutionary patterns in plant life history, adaptive morphology, and community structure. Learn about the selective forces that may underlie these patterns and the empirical trends they generate at various scales.
Faculty members in this area study biomechanics, physiological ecology, plant hydraulics, economic analyses of plant form, pollination biology, evolution and genetics of mating systems, plant-animal and plant-fungal interactions, ecological genetics, ordination and classification of communities, hierarchy theory, restoration ecology, and conservation biology.
Faculty members include: Sara Hotchkiss, Kenneth Keefover-Ring, Daijiang Li, Kate McCulloch, Chris Muir, Anne Pringle
Study the mechanisms that produce and control plant growth and development.
Faculty members in this area employ model research species (e.g., Arabidopsis, maize, and rice) to investigate processes ranging across the plant life cycle from seed germination to flowering by using molecular, genetic, biochemical, physiological, and microscopy techniques.
Faculty members include: Simon Gilroy, Shan He, Hiroshi Maeda, Marisa Otegui, Jack Satterlee
Advising
It is recommended that students meet with their advisor at least once a semester to discuss course selection and check degree progress.
Independent Research Requirement
Writing a thesis based on original research can be one of the most valuable experiences of an undergraduate career. That’s why all undergraduates majoring in botany are required to write a senior thesis based on original plant-focused research.
The undergraduate research project provides an opportunity for extensive, one-on-one contact with a faculty member, as well as first-hand experience with the nature of scientific research. For some students it serves as a stepping stone to graduate school and a scientific career.
A senior thesis is a large, independent research project that students undertake during their senior year to fulfill their graduation requirement. It is the culminating work of their undergraduate studies and it represents their ability to conduct research and write effectively.
All independent research projects must be closely mentored by a faculty member from the Department of Biology or from another plant science department.
Choose one of the following:
- Senior Thesis.
- Over a period of two semesters, typically in their senior year, students enroll in either:
- 4-6 total credits of Senior Thesis (Botany 691 and 692)
- 6 total credits of Senior Honors Thesis (Botany 681 and 682) over a period of 2 semesters, typically in their senior year.
- Over a period of two semesters, typically in their senior year, students enroll in either:
- Directed Study.
- Students enroll in a minimum of 3 credits of Directed Study (Botany 699) over a period of 1 or 2 semesters, typically during their last 3 semesters.
- Independent Research Outside of Botany.
- Students enroll in independent, plant-focused research or thesis courses from other departments or universities (if studying abroad).
- The student is required to check with the faculty member who chairs the Botany Curriculum Committee about the suitability of the course to fulfill research experience for the botany major.
- Botany Field Research Course.
- Students enroll in an occasionally offered field course (such as the capstone Botany 575 course) that has independent plant-focused research and intensive writing components.
To receive research credits in the Botany major, you must fill out a research plan and submit it to a Botany academic advisor who will grant you permission to enroll in appropriate courses.
Research plans should be submitted by the first week of the semester to be able to enroll by the college enrollment deadline. Access the research plan document and instructions here.
The Botany academic advisor will process the research plan and notify the student that they can enroll in the research section and level specified.
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they have enrolled in the course. Students can verify their enrollment by reviewing their DARS or their course schedule.
For a course to count toward the research requirement, it must include ALL of the following:
- The course must involve original, independent, botanically focused research in the lab or field.
- The courses must be at least three credits.
- *If the student does a 2-semester senior thesis sequence, then each course can be 2 or 3 credits.
- The course must involve writing a substantial paper or report that is deposited with the student services coordinator.
For every enrolled credit, a student must work 3 hours each week over the semester, using a fifteen week semester calculation (i.e. 2 credits x 3 hours per week x 15 weeks = 90 hours (minimum)).
For example, a student who signs up for 3 credits durint a 15- week semester must worka totla of 135 hours (3 credits x 3 hours per week x 25 weeks=135 hours)
The thesis should have a cover page with a title, date of submission and the signature of the faculty advisor. See below for more formatting instructions.
In lieu of a written these, the faculty advisor may accept the research in an alternate format, such as scientific poster or a slide presentation.
The thesis must be submitted to the faculty mentor for a final grade in the independent research course. A copy signed by the faculty advisor must be deposited with the academic advisor by the end of the semester.
- The research thesis is to be double-spaced and have one-inch margins.
- If you expect to publish in a particular journal, follow the format prescribed by the journal.
- Consult with your senior thesis advisor for their preferred style. If your mentor does not have a preferred style, use the requirements for the journal Science.
- The final thesis must include a cover page signed by the student’s faculty advisor.
A number of funding opportunities are available to undergraduates to help support research projects.
The Grants Information Center in Memorial Library has sources of information on scholarships, loans and grants available to individuals.
Some funding programs available:
Hilldale & Holstrom Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowship
The Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowships support undergraduate research done in collaboration with UW–Madison faculty or research/instructional academic staff. Approximately 97 – 100 Hilldale awards are available each year. Deadline is usually in February each year.
University Book Store Academic Excellence Award
Supported by a generous grant from the University Book Store, this award recognizes undergraduate students who have completed an outstanding independent project, such as a senior thesis, at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Projects in all academic fields are eligible. Deadline is usually in early March each year.
How do I pick a senior thesis topic?
Consider:
- discussing possibilities with a faculty member or TA who taught courses that you found interesting.
- Attending a colloquium or presentation to learn about faculty interests and possible project topics.
- Reviewing the botanical research areas above and associated faculty members’ web pages and research papers.
When should I start thinking about fulfilling this requirement?
Students should begin planning as soon as possible but no later than their first semester of their junior year. A faculty member may be able to help secure funding through one of the funding sources listed.
How do I get in touch with a prospective faculty mentor?
Students can write faculty a letter of introduction via email. A letter can include a student’s research interests, prior coursework, relevant work experiences, availability (hours/week) and intended timeline for completing the research.
Follow up by visiting their office hours, by phone or additional email.
Can I complete this requirement over the summer?
Only one semester of senior thesis may be taken during the summer 8-week session. However, to receive the same amount of credit as a regular semester, students must complete the same number of hours.
For example, two credits in a regular semester is 90 hours over 15 weeks. In the summer, students would still need to complete 90 hours of research in an 8 week session.
I want to spend a semester during my senior year abroad. Can I complete my requirement while overseas?
Yes. Doing a senior thesis while studying abroad requires additional planning, starting with consulting study abroad advisors.
Career Planning
Graduates from the botany major find jobs in areas such as:
- research
- education
- government and public service
- and often continue their education in graduate or professional school.
Schedule an appointment with your advisor to discuss careers you can build with a botany major.
SuccessWorks is the College of Letters and Science’s office dedicated to helping students develop their careers before they graduate. Explore their extensive resources and schedule an appointment to develop your career.
Forms
Necessary forms related to the botany major are available at the link below.