Introduction
Advisor: Dr. William (Bill) Norris
The Botany degree includes three lower division preparatory courses (Plant Form, Function and Diversity, Animal Form, Function and Diversity, and Introductory Cell and Molecular Biology) and three core upper division courses (Genetics, Ecology, and Evolution) in biology. Students majoring in Botany will then enroll in a suite of courses which feature plants (and algae and fungi): Evolution and Diversity of Plants, Biology of Algae and Fungi, Plant Taxonomy, Dendrology, Range Vegetation, and Plant Physiology.
Near the WNMU campus a wide variety of ecological settings serve as “natural laboratories” for field oriented classes and provide opportunities for field trips and student research. These areas include montane forests, woodlands, riparian forests, desert shrublands, desert grasslands, and rangelands. The Gila National Forest (3.3 million acres), the Gila River riparian ecosystem, and City of Rocks State Park are but a short drive from the Silver City campus and are frequent destinations during class field trips.
The Botany degree is a suitable major for students interested in careers in applied fields including those associated with natural resource management agencies (e.g., United States Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management), businesses that market plants (e.g., florist, herb shops), and/or careers in science education. The Botany major also prepares students for post-graduate Master and Ph. D. programs focusing on plants and fungi including range management, forest management, plant pathology, agriculture science, etc.
Bachelor of Science in Botany - Learning Outcomes
Students are able to comprehend, apply, analyze, and synthesize the following core concepts in botany:
- Evolution.
- Biodiversity
- Structure and function.
- Information flow, exchange, and storage.
- Pathways and transformations of energy and matter.
- Systems.
Students will demonstrate the ability to apply the scientific process.
- Understand the defining characteristics of the process of science.
- Apply the methods of scientific inquiry.
- Develop testable hypotheses, design appropriate experiments, and present reasoned analyses and interpretations of results.
- Demonstrate proper and safe field and laboratory practices including the proper use of equipment and the ability to use basic field and lab techniques.
- Demonstrate the ability to employ modern library search tools to locate, retrieve, evaluate, and apply scientific information.
Students will be able to reason quantitatively.
- Understand common quantitative approaches in botany.
- Evaluate and interpret quantitative data using the scientific method.
- Interpret and act on quantitative data from a variety of sources.
- Understand the role of uncertainty in science.
- Evaluate information by discriminating between science and non-science.
Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate within and outside the field of biology.
- Communicate concepts through peer interactions and collaboration.
- Communicate science through written, visual, and oral methods.
- Recognize the interdisciplinary nature of science.
Students will understand the relationship between science and society.
- Explain the historical context of botanical discoveries.
- Evaluate the impact of science on society.
- Evaluate the ethical implications of science.
- Explain why science is integral for addressing social and environmental problems.
- Explore how science is applied in a social context.
Graduates will demonstrate the ability to use their degrees to undertake careers in botany or to gain admittance to graduate or professional schools.
Core Courses
Please see the official degree plan for additional details.
CHEM 151/153. General Chemistry I & lab. Introductory course in chemistry; three lectures and one lab per week. Prerequisite: MATH 131 or equivalent (may be taken concurrently). (NMCCN CHEM 1213/1211)(Area III). (4)
CHEM 152/154. General Chemistry II & lab. Second introductory course in chemistry; three lectures and one lab per week. Prerequisite: CHEM 151/153. (NMCCN CHEM 1223/1221)(Area III). (4)
BIOL 202/203. Majors I: Plant Form, Function and Diversity. Introduction to plant biology: summarizes the major disciplines of botany and includes study of the more important plant groups: three lectures and one laboratory period per week. This course, BIOL 204, and BIOL 206 constitute the prerequisite for all biology related majors and minors. BIOL 202, 204 and 206 can be taken in any order. (NMCCN BIOL 1213/1211) (Area III). (4)
BIOL 204/205. Majors II. Animal Form, Function and Diversity. Introductory biology covering biological macromolecules, ecology, evolution, systematics, phylogeny, developmental biology, and a survey of major animal groups; three lectures and one two-hour laboratory a week. This course, BIOL 202, and BIOL 206 constitute the prerequisite for all biology related majors and minors. BIOL 202, 204, and 206 can be taken in any order. (NMCCN BIOL 1223/1221)(Area III). (4)
BIOL 206/207. Majors III: Intro Cell Biology & lab. Introductory biology for majors covering biological molecules, eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell form and function, cellular metabolism and mechanisms of heredity; three lectures and one two-hour laboratory a week. This course, BIOL 202 and 204 constitute the prerequisites for all biology related majors and minors. BIOL 202, 204, and 206 can be taken in any order. (4)
BIOL 301/303 Ecology & lab. The study of the interactions between organisms, their abiotic environment, and other biotic components of natural systems; the structure and function of biotic communities and ecosystems; three lectures and one laboratory or field period per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 202/203, 204/205, and ENGL 102. Offered every Spring. (4)
BIOL 322/324 Dendrology & lab. Identification and natural history of North American trees, shrubs, and vines, with emphasis on species native to the Southwest. Considerable time spent in field study. Three major projects involving analysis and interpretation of field data collected by the class in lab. Prerequisites: BIOL 202/203, 204/205, 206/207, and ENGL 102. Offered alternate years. (4)
BIOL 331/333 Biology of Algae and Fungi & lab. Structure, taxonomy, evolution, and ecology of fungi and non-vascular plants; three lectures and one laboratory period per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 202/203 and ENGL 102. Offered alternate years. (4)
BIOL 332/334 Evolution and Diversity of Plants & lab. Anatomy, morphology, and evolutionary development of the vascular plants; three lectures and one laboratory period per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 202/203 and ENGL 102. Offered alternate years. (4)
BIOL 351/353 Plant Taxonomy & lab. Flowering plants and their classification, with emphasis on flora of the Southwest: three lectures and one laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 202/203 and ENGL 102. Offered alternate years. (4)
BIOL 366/368 Genetics & lab. Methods and results of the transmission of hereditary characteristics; three lectures and one laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 202/203, 204/205, 206/207, and ENGL 102. (4)
BIOL 410/412 Plant Physiology and lab. Course covers basic plant processes, including transport, water balance, nutrition, photosynthesis, defence mechanisms, sensory systems, and plant growth hormones. Prerequisites: BIOL 202/203, 204/205, BIOL 206/207, and ENGL 102. Two lectures and one lab per week. (4)
BIOL 422. Evolution. The study of changes in natural populations of organisms and the dynamics underlying those changes. Evolutionary processes including mutation, genetic recombination, natural selection, migration, and genetic drift are reviewed, as well as their microevolutionary and macroevolutionary consequences; three lectures or discussion periods per week. Prerequisites: ENGL 102 and 15 credit hours of biology including BIOL 366. Offered alternate years. (3)
BIOL 425/427 Range Vegetation & lab. Focuses on plants of rangelands of the southwest, with emphasis on identification of range plants and ecology of rangeland plant communities. Prerequisites: BIOL 202/203, 204/205, and ENGL 102. (4)
BIOL 471/473. Majors Microbiology & lab. The study of microbial biology with a focus on structure, metabolism, taxonomy, and pathogenesis. This course is intended to give students a broad understanding of microbiology including the historical context of many advances in the field. Students will also become familiar with many commonly used laboratory techniques. Prerequisites: BIOL 202/203, 204/205, BIOL 206/207, and ENGL 102. Offered alternative years (odd years fall) (4)
BIOL 486. Senior Project. Individually tailored research course involving a synthesis of biology disciplines and requiring use of data gathering principles and library facilities. All students must take an appropriate biology exit exam by the eighth week of the semester to receive a grade. Required of all senior students majoring in biology, botany, or zoology. Writing Intensive. Prerequisite: ENGL 102. (2)
Degree Plans
Advisor Contact
Dr. Bill Norris
Email: norrisw@wnmu.edu
Office: Harlan Hall 142
Office phone: 575-538-6625
