Botany & Microbiology Undergraduate Degree Programs

General Information

The Department of Botany and Microbiology has a small but successful faculty committed to excellence in teaching and research. The faculty provides instruction leading to highly respected undergraduate and graduate degree programs in both Botany and Microbiology and maintains one of the most highly funded research programs on campus. Many of the faculty members have received University awards in recognition of their teaching and research excellence. Most of the faculty have internationally recognized research programs and, as a consequence of their reputations, serve on advisory panels to federal agencies, review grant proposals and manuscripts for international journals, serve on editorial boards and hold offices in national societies in their respective disciplines. For more information about our faculty and individual faculty members, please see our Faculty page.

Programs for Academic Excellence

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
Both undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to conduct research projects under the guidance of major professors throughout the semester. More intensive research experience in specific laboratories is frequently available through summer assistantships.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
The O.U. Botanical Society is open to undergraduate and graduate students. The Society organizes field trips and holds several meetings throughout the semester on topics of general interest to which the public and University community are invited.

Career Options

A variety of careers is available to persons with degrees in Botany or Microbiology. Employment may be with biological supply houses, pharmaceutical companies, industries, state and federal, agencies and research institutes. Microbiologists in the medical fields are frequently employed in clinical, diagnostic laboratories and medical research institutes. Increasing employment opportunities are becoming available in the biotechnology industry for persons trained in both Botany and Microbiology.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The department has scholarships and assistantships available for academically outstanding students. Individuals with a 3.00 grade point average must apply or be recommended for these scholarships by April 1. Undergraduates must have completed their sophomore year of studies to be considered. Details can be obtained from the chairman of the department.

Degrees Offered:

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Majors in the Department of Botany and Microbiology may choose to concentrate in one of the following areas appropriate to the major program; however, specific information about the area of concentration will not be reflected on the transcript.

Botany:

Microbiology:

Bachelor of Science (A general degree in microbiology)

Objectives of degree: This degree program is designed for students with a liberal arts orientation who wish to emphasize microbiology. The program insures that each student receives a general understanding of the basic areas in microbiology, and acquires adequate training in the supporting disciplines, but retains an adequate number of electives to permit a liberal arts degree. Sufficient latitude is provided, enabling the student and adviser to plan a specific program tailored to the career and educational goals of the student. The requirements are listed below.

Requirements: A total of 30 hours of major work in microbiology is required. These courses must be included: 3815,4833,4843,4845, 4853. Additional requirements are Botany 1114, or Zoology 1114 and Zoology 1121, one year of physics (2414 and 2424 or equivalent) and a 1302 Physics laboratory; Chemistry 1315,1415, 3053,3152, 3153, 3652, 3653 and Mathematics 1743. Recommended electives are history or philosophy of science, logic, geology or physical geography, statistics, computer science, genetics, modern language and management or finance.

Bachelor of Science in Botany and Bachelor of Science in Microbiology

Objectives of degree: The professional degree programs in botany and microbiology are designed to insure that the student is well prepared for postgraduate study in the life or medical sciences or to immediately accept professional employment in a variety of botanical or microbiological positions. Major requirements, though similar to those of the Bachelor of Science program, are greater in scope and rigor. The requirements for the professional degrees are as follows:

BOTANY REQUIREMENTS
The program requires 32 hours of major work including Botany 1114 and 20 upper-division hours selected from five of the following six areas: (1) Structural Botany (4283, 5264, 5293 or 5504); (2) Systematic Botany (3534 or 4504); (3) Genetics (3333 or 4843); (4) Physiology (311 3, 4115 or MBIO 3815); (5) Ecology (3453, 5620 [Algal Physiology and Ecology] or Zoology 4462); (6) Technical Area (statistics, electron microscopy, computer science, analytical methods), three hours.

At least 24 of the 32 hours must be from the Department of Botany and Microbiology with microbiology credits being restricted to two upper-division courses. One year of physics (2414 and 2424 or equivalent), five hours of organic chemistry including laboratory, Mathematics 1743 or equivalent, and Zoology 1114 are required. Recommended courses include: history or philosophy of science, geology or physical geography, intermediate-level courses in a modern language or Latin, computer science, biochemistry and evolution.

MICROBIOLOGY REQUIREMENTS
A total of 35 hours of major work in microbiology is required. The following courses must be included: 3815, 4833, 4843, 4845, 4853. Additional requirements include Botany 1114, or Zoology 1114 and Zoology 1121, one year of physics (2414 and 2424 or equivalent), and a 1 302 Physics laboratory; a year of organic chemistry with laboratory; a course in quantitative analysis or physical chemistry with laboratory; a course in biochemistry with laboratory; Mathematics 1 743 and a course in statistics (Economics 2843, Psychology 211 3, or Political Science 3123). Two courses in a modern language or Latin are also required. A second course in biochemistry (3753 or equivalent) is strongly recommended. Recommended electives include history or philosophy of science logic, geology or physical geology, computer science, genetics and management or finance. Majors in botany and microbiology must present a grade of C or better in each course presented for major credit and in the required supporting courses.

Degree Requirement Checklists for Majors

Degree Requirement Checklists are now available online.

Minors

MINOR IN BOTANY
Students majoring in other subjects may satisfy the minor requirements in botany by completing 15 hours of botany including no more than one 1000-level course and one 2000-level course. Students planning to teach science in secondary schools should follow the teacher certification (science) program. For details consult an adviser in the College of Arts and Sciences office.

MINOR IN MICROBIOLOGY
Students majoring in other subjects may satisfy the minor requirement in microbiology by completing 15 hours of microbiology including Microbiology 3815, and 4833 or 4843. Additional courses required as prerequisites are Botany 1114 or Zoology 1114, Chemistry 1315 and 1415 or Chemistry 1425, and 3013 or 3053. Additional prerequisites may be required for specific elective microbiology courses. Students planning to teach science in secondary schools should follow the teacher certification (science) program. For details consult an adviser in the College of Arts and Sciences office.

For Further Information

For further information about undergraduate and graduate programs, please fill out our on-line form or mail your request for information to: Department of Botany and Microbiology, The University of Oklahoma, 770 Van Vleet Oval, Norman, OK, 73019-0425, (405) 325-4321. The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution.

Disclaimer: These pages are believed to be correct, but student requirements are subject to change; students may also retain the right to graduate under rules in force when they started the program. Please contact an advisor for more details and the most current requirements.

Return to our home page.