Botany
In 1917 botanist Caroline Black accepted a position to teach at Connecticut College on the condition that botany would be a separate department from biology. This decision created a focus on plant science that is, to this day, a hallmark of the College. If you major in botany here, you will find unparalleled opportunities to study plant biology and work side-by-side with faculty mentors. The department has an international reputation in coastal, marine and estuarine studies. You will find an exceptionally strong program in fresh-water botany, as well as courses in such diverse areas as terrestrial ecology, plant cell biology, and ethnobotany.
The science programs at Connecticut College provide students with opportunities rarely available to undergraduates:
- hands-on experience with sophisticated equipment early in their course work
- independent study with a mentor of their choice
- funds to support student research
- faculty-student collaborations that lead to presentations given at conferences and papers published in top science journals.
Teaching occurs in small groups with frequent faculty-student contact, and students learn through original research and interdisciplinary work. The departments of botany and biology coordinate their efforts to provide a strong well-balanced program in botany, biology, and environmental studies.
The botany major requires a core of courses that provides a strong foundation in biology. Beyond this core, electives allow students to focus their major on basic aspects of field or laboratory botany, on the use of plants in landscape design, or to participate in the certificate program in the Goodwin-Niering Center for Conservation Biology and Environmental Studies.
Want to hear the latest news about the department and programs? Our News & Events page is updated regularly.
Last Modified: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 16:40