Majoring in plant biology equips students with the skills to explore major questions in the life sciences. Using plants as model systems, students investigate how metabolites, genes, cells, and organisms function and adapt, while gaining hands-on research experience that contributes to innovations in sustainable food, energy production, and human health.
Discover Why Plant Biology Matters
- A rigorous foundation in modern biology
Ground yourself in experimental and computational biology, including skills in genomics, genetics, biochemistry, development, evolution, and biotechnology that are valuable across all biological fields. - Access to world-class research
The department is home to internationally recognized programs in plant biology, systems biology, genomics, synthetic biology, and environmental science. - Guaranteed hands-on experience
Students have inherent opportunities to join research labs, work with cutting-edge technologies, and be part of real scientific discoveries. - A collaborative, supportive community
Learn from faculty who are leaders in their fields and work alongside peers equally passionate about solving global problems. - Opportunities to share your work
Present research at department retreats, campus symposia, and national scientific conferences. - Direct pathways to meaningful careers
Majors build the expertise needed for careers in biotechnology, agriculture, environmental consulting, academia, medicine, and more. - Impact that matters
Plant biologists contribute to innovations in human health, renewable energy, climate solutions, and sustainable agriculture.
What You’ll Learn
As a plant biology student, you will learn to:
- Describe the unity and diversity of life, and explain how evolutionary processes shape biological systems.
- Apply genetics, biochemistry, and genomics to understand how cells are organized and regulated.
- Interpret and communicate scientific data, using standard formats for writing, figures, and presentations.
- Use quantitative reasoning to evaluate experiments, analyze graphs, and draw evidence-based conclusions.
- Explain how plants develop from a single cell to a complex, multicellular organism.
- Understand how plants sense and respond to environmental cues such as light, stress, and pathogens.
- Connect plant form and function to global challenges by using biological knowledge to address issues impacting society.