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How do I Choose a Botany College?

Carol Francois
Carol Francois

There are four items to consider when choosing botany college: accreditation, faculty, specialized programs, and reputation or ranking. This type of school is usually organized within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Botany is the study of plants and plant systems. Although many people automatically think of gardening, botany has huge impact in pharmaceuticals, naturopathy, organic chemistry, and biology.

Botany college is ideal for people who are curious about plants and the secrets they hold. Candidates who report the greatest satisfaction with botany college are focused on a specific career path and are willing to work in an environment where they provide valuable advice to other specialists. Careers in botany are expected to experience an increased demand, due to the rise in both pharmacology and naturopathy.

A flower, like those studied by botanists.
A flower, like those studied by botanists.

When looking for a botany college, check the accreditation status of the school. An accredited school has been reviewed by an independent third party. Courses from an accredited school can be transferred to other post-secondary institutions, which is very important at the graduate studies level. Only accredited schools are able to offer students access to government student aid programs.

A plant growing.
A plant growing.

Review the qualifications of the faculty or course instructors with care. Most schools post biographies of their course instructors on their websites. Review this information and look for both academic credentials and working experience. Many botanists conduct research in related fields and are involved in many collaborative projects. Botany as a dedicated discipline is very active, with dedicated research publications that highlight important research and trends in this field.

Fruit from an achiote tree, which a botanist might study.
Fruit from an achiote tree, which a botanist might study.

Look for specialized programs in subareas of botany. This may include cell and system biology, insects, ecology and environmental studies. Take advantage and learn as much as possible from these programs. They will provide the ability to make important connections of both people and ideas. The work from these collaborative efforts are a great way to forward your own theories and concepts.

A plant.
A plant.

The reputation of the school is very important when choosing the best botany college. Ask the admissions counselor about speaking with former graduates or employers. Ask them about the quality of education they received at the school, the relevance, and any other information they are willing to share. People who report the greatest satisfaction with botany college have a clear idea what they want to learn and are focused on that goal. The study of plants can be quite fascinating, but it is important to remember how they contribute to the broader fields of environmental studies and ecology.

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    • A flower, like those studied by botanists.
      By: alfastudiofoto
      A flower, like those studied by botanists.
    • A plant growing.
      By: Sergey Galushko
      A plant growing.
    • Fruit from an achiote tree, which a botanist might study.
      By: munchkinmoo
      Fruit from an achiote tree, which a botanist might study.
    • A plant.
      By: Dreamy Girl
      A plant.