Applied Plant Biology Major B.A.
- Preparation for careers in commercial greenhouses, nurseries, landscaping, diversified and small scale agriculture, biofuels, medicinal herbs
- Optional training in greenhouse management, sustainable agriculture, soil ecology, plant pathology
- Required internship
- Flexibility for minor or double major with economics, biology, communications
Faculty Contact: Dr. David Rosenthal
Degree Requirements & Sample 4-Year Program
Program Overview
The B.A. degree in applied plant biology is designed for students who are interested in the plant sciences as they apply to commercial enterprises, such as greenhouses, nurseries, landscaping, diversified and small scale agriculture, biofuels, and medicinal herbs.
The coursework in this program provides students with foundational knowledge of plant biology with the option of training in greenhouse management, sustainable agriculture, soil ecology, plant pathology, plant breeding, and/or medicinal plants. In addition to providing a background in applied plant biology, the program includes coursework in economics, biology and communications. To help prepare students for their career, an internship is required. The flexibility in this program allows for either a minor or second major in another discipline, e.g. economics, business administration, communications and others, if desired.
To help prepare students for their careers, an internship is required. See Plant Biology Internships Program.
Careers & Graduate School
This program prepares students for entry level jobs in fields such as landscaping, diversified agriculture, horticulture, nurseries, tree care, and plant breeding. In order to enhance job prospects, students in this program are required to complete an internship in one of these areas. Faculty in the plant biology department will assist students in locating appropriate internships. Listings of internship opportunities can be found at the following web sites:
- Association for Student Conduct Administration
- Americorps
- Society for Conservation Biology
- Plant Biology Internships Program
If you plan to pursue graduate studies in plant biology or a related biological science, a B.S. degree would be more appropriate. Consult a departmental advisor for assistance in selecting a program to prepare you for an advanced degree.
Browse through dozens of Internship opportunities and full-time job postings for Ohio University students and alumni on Handshake, OHIO's key resource for researching jobs, employers, workshops, and professional development events.
Graduate School? If you plan to do graduate studies in plant biology or a related biological science, a B.S. degree would be more appropriate. Consult a departmental adviser for assistance in selecting a program to prepare you for an advanced degree.
Admissions Information
Freshman/First-Year Admission: No requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Change of Program Policy: No selective or limited admission requirements.
External Transfer Admission: No requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Degree Requirements
- Sample 4-Year Program [PDF]
- Major code BA2110
University-wide Graduation Requirements
To complete this program, students must meet all University-wide graduation requirements.
College-Level Requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences
View the College-Level Requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences.
Environmental & Plant Biology Hours Requirement
Complete a total of 38 semester hours of PBIO coursework (excluding PBIO 2170, 2200, 2250, and 2840), including all of the requirements below.
Plant Biology Requirements
Complete the following courses:
- PBIO 1140 - Foundations of Plant Biology Credit Hours: 4
- PBIO 1150 - Plant Structure and Development Credit Hours: 4
- PBIO 2090 - Plant Ecology Credit Hours: 3
- PBIO 3240 - Plant Physiology Credit Hours: 3
- PBIO 3300 - Plant Genetics Credit Hours: 3
PBIO Professional Skills
Complete the following courses:
- PBIO 3150 - Statistical Methods in Plant Biology Credit Hours: 4
- PBIO 4170 - Biological Research and Science Ethics Credit Hours: 1
Writing
Complete the following course:
- PBIO 2180 Intro to Research and Writing
PBIO Internship
Complete two hours of internship credit.
- PBIO 4910 - Internship Credit Hours: 1.0-15.0
PBIO Speciality Courses
Complete the following courses:
- PBIO 4380 - Soil Properties and Ecosystem Processes Credit Hours: 4
Core Speciality Course
Complete one of the following courses:
- PBIO 2060 - Sustainable Agriculture Credit Hours: 3
- PBIO 3160 - Horticultural Management and Techniques Credit Hours: 2
PBIO Electives
Complete two of the following courses for a minimum of 5 hours. You may not get credit for courses taken to fulfill another requirement.
- PBIO 3030 - Medicinal Plants of Ohio Credit Hours: 2
- PBIO 3050 - Plant Propagation Credit Hours: 3
- PBIO 3100 - Biology of Fungi Credit Hours: 3
- PBIO 3160 - Horticultural Management and Techniques Credit Hours: 2
- PBIO 3190 - Ohio Flora Credit Hours: 3
- PBIO 3220 - Tropical Plant Ecology Credit Hours: 3
- PBIO 4120 - Plant Pathology Credit Hours: 3
Extra-departmental Requirements
Complete the following courses:
- CHEM 1210 - Principles of Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4
- CHEM 1220 - Principles of Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4
- COMS 1010 - Fundamentals of Human Communication Credit Hours: 3
- ECON 1030 - Principles of Microeconomics Credit Hours: 3
- MATH 1300 - Pre-Calculus Credit Hours: 4
Economics, Marketing, Biological Science, or Geology Elective
Complete one of the following courses:
- BIOS 3160 - Biogeography Credit Hours: 3
- ECON 3510 - Agricultural Development Credit Hours: 3
- GEOL 2150 - Environmental Geology Credit Hours: 3
- GEOL 2310 - Water and Pollution Credit Hours: 3
- MKT 2020 - Marketing Principles Credit Hours: 3