Texas A&M University Graduate Catalog

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Course Descriptions

Botany

The aims of a PhD degree program in Botany are to train the student to do original and imaginative research in the botanical sciences, to develop the student’s ability to expertly judge current research, and to provide experience and training in the presentation and publication of scientific findings. The Department of Biology offers the opportunity for research in plant cell and molecular biology, organismal plant biology, and plant systematics and evolution. Association with other departments could emphasize various aspects of plant science, such as physiology, genetics, pathology, horticulture, crops and forestry.

Botany PhD students must demonstrate competence in their specific area of research and are expected to develop proficiency in four of the following seven areas: biochemistry/molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, physiology, structure/development, computational/mathematical biology and systematics. In addition, the candidate should have a sufficient depth-of-knowledge of the organism or system used in the dissertation research. An MS student must demonstrate competence in at least three of the above seven areas at the time of the final examination.

(BOTN)

(faculty, see Department of Biology)

620. Field Systematic Botany. (2-6). Credit 4.

Basic principles and concepts of seed plant systematics; procedures of identification, family recognition, terminology, nomenclature, herbarium techniques, systems of classification and the taxonomic literature. Prerequisite: BOTN 301 or equivalent or approval of instructor.

635. Plant Molecular Biology. (3-0). Credit 3.

Molecular aspects of plant growth, development, reproduction and evolution, emphasizing the structure, function, regulation, interaction and manipulation of plant genes; practical applications of plant molecular biology. Prerequisite: GENE 431.

636. Plant Cell Biology. (3-0). Credit 3.

Biogenesis, structure, function and interactions of plant cells during development, with emphasis on current literature and experimental approaches. Prerequisite: BIOL 413 or 613 or approval of instructor.

685. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 6 each semester.

Limited investigations in fields other than those chosen for thesis or dissertation.

691. Research. Credit 1 or more each semester.

Research for thesis or dissertation.

Other related graduate courses offered by the Department of Biology that may be of interest to botany students include BIOL 602 Transmission Electron Microscopy, BIOL 617 Cell Biology, BIOL 672 Molecular Biology of Photosynthesis and BIOL or MICR 689 Special Topics in...