What can I do with a major in plant biology?

Fact Box: Common job titles Salary Information

Plant biologists study the form, function, diversity, reproduction, evolution, and uses of plants and their interactions within the biosphere. Plant biologists usually study life at the level of the gene, cell, organism, population, community, and/or ecosystem.

Ecologists, botanists, and taxonomists can be plant biologists, as well as plant pathologists. People working with algae and fungi are often trained as or called plant biologists (even though, technically, those groups aren’t plants).

What kinds of jobs do plant biologists get? What do they do?
The major employers of plant biologists are educational institutions, biotechnology firms, nature organizations, public botanical gardens, and federal and state agencies. Environmental concerns such as water and soil pollution continue to create job openings for plant biologists in industry.

Most plant biologists have either a field or laboratory emphasis in their activities. Some things working plant biologists might do on the job include:

Investigating the effects of environmental factors such as rainfall, temperature, sunlight, soil, topography and disease on plant growth
Growing plants under controlled conditions to assess the significance of environmental and genetic variables
Studying the genetics of plants using biochemical and molecular techniques in the laboratory and so determine the patterns of plant evolution
Studying the nature and occurrence of plant chromosomes, cells and tissues
Working with other scientists to develop drugs, medicines and other products from plants
Searching for and classifying new species of plants, and identifying endangered species. (O*Net 2001)

Plant biologists work in various branches of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including the Medical Plant Resources Laboratory, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and the U.S. Forest Service. The U.S. Department of the Interior, which includes the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Geological Survey, also employs botanists. In Michigan many graduates work for the State Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

About 33% of recent plant biology graduates went on to graduate school, 33% took a job in a science field related to plant biology, and 33% went on to work in a non-science field.

What do I need to learn to prepare for a career as a botanist?
Perseverance, curiosity, and the ability to concentrate on detail and to work independently are essential. It is helpful to develop strong mathematical and computer skills.

In addition to basic biological knowledge, try to find opportunities to demonstrate that you can work well with a wide variety of people. Good oral and written communication skills are critical; many scientists work as part of a team, write research papers or proposals, and have contact with clients or customers with non-science backgrounds. Experience through internships, undergraduate research, or co-op programs is highly valued by employers and graduate schools.

Although there are some excellent career opportunities for plant biologists with only a baccalaureate degree, many professional plant biologists hold either a Master’s degree or a Ph.D. For this reason, individuals interested in careers in botany should give careful consideration to graduate study. Research the different jobs available at the BS, MS, and PhD levels as a part of choosing your major.

At MSU, students interested in plant biology may choose these majors:
Plant Biology (Adobe Acrobat required)
Environmental Biology--Botany

You may also want to investigate some of the majors available in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Resources for further exploration:
Careers in Botany from BSA and the American Society of Plant Taxonomists
Careers in Plant Pathology
Careers in Systematic Taxonomy (American Society of Plant Taxonomists)
Horticulture and related careers (a great resource for exploration)

Resources at MSU:
MSU Department of Plant Biology
Department of Plant Pathology

Job Titles Of Recent MSU Plant Biology Graduates:
Arborist and pesticide applicator
Botanist
Cartographic specialist
County horticulture assistant
Ecologist, US Army
Extension specialist
Farm manager
Laboratory research aide
Landscaper
Natural Resources specialist
Pesticide program assistant
Research associate
Research scientist
Research technician
Technical supervisor

Return to top

© 2004 MSU College of Natural Science; corrections and updates to CNS@ csp.msu.edu.
You must use Netscape 7, IE 5, or higher to view these pages. Text may be resized for ease of viewing.
Michigan State University