Department of BiologyThe greening of the planet 500 million years ago affected atmospheric conditions, soil chemistry, and species diversity across the tree of life. From green algae to flowering plants, from the cellular to ecosystem level, plant biologists study the intricacies of form and function. They may be reconstructing relationships among species over millions of years, exploring how genes control root architecture, or investigating the role of natural selection during the last 100 years. Uniquely, studying plants allows students to develop knowledge and experience in the classroom and in the field, as well as at the lab bench. Course selection depends upon student interests. One course may be an independent of study.
Students fulfilling the requirements of the Concentration in Plant Biology will receive a note on their official transcript.
Area Advisor
| Area Advisor | Area Faculty |
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| Dr. Paul Manos, Department of Biology phone: 660-7358 e-mail: pmanos@duke.edu | Bernhardt, X. Dong, Donohue, He, Lutzoni, Manos, Pei, Pryer, Rausher, Shaw, Strader, Sun, Vilgalys, Willis, Wright
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Pre/Corequisites
Chemistry
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NOTE: CHEM 210DL and CHEM 202L are recommended for pre-med, pre-vet, biochem and pharm students.
Math
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Physics
| For B.S. Degree | For B.A. Degree |
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NOTE: PHYSICS 122L/142L is recommended for pre-med, pre-vet, biochem and pharm students.
Biology Major Requirements (minimum 10 courses)
The following courses are required for students pursuing both the B.S. and B.A. biology credentials.
Gateway Courses (2 or 1 courses)
The gateways are not sequenced and can be taken in either order.
- BIOLOGY 201L Molecular Biology (prerequisite: Chem 101D or equivalent)
- BIOLOGY 202L Genetics & Evolution
OR
- BIOLOGY 203L Molecular Biology, Genetics & Evolution (prerequisite: Biology AP 5 and Chem 101D or equivalent)
Plant Biology Area Requirements (3 courses)
Select 1 course from EACH of the following three areas. Courses listed in more than one area may only be used to meet one area requirement.
- 1 course in Organismal Diversity, selected from the following:
- BIOLOGY 344S Plant Diversity: a Field Approach
- BIOLOGY 341L Plant Communities of North Carolina
- BIOLOGY 347L Plants and People
- 1 course - Biological Structure & Function
- 1 course - Ecology
Electives (5 or 6 courses)
A maximum of 2 independent studies or tutorials may count toward the major.
- 3 courses selected from the following (cannot double count course taken for organismal diversity requirement above):
- BIOLOGY 207 Organismal Evolution
- BIOLOGY 262 People, Plants and Pollution: Introduction to Urban Environments
- BIOLOGY 280LA Fundamentals of Tropical Biology
- BIOLOGY 288A Biogeography in an Australian Context
- BIOLOGY 341L Plant Communities of North Carolina
- BIOLOGY 344S Plant Diversity: a Field Approach
- BIOLOGY 347L Plants and People
- BIOLOGY 361LS Field Ecology
- BIOLOGY 490S Special Topics Seminar (with approval from area advisor)
- BIOLOGY 505 Functional Ecology of Plants
- BIOLOGY 531S Interplay between Plants and Climate Change
- BIOLOGY 540L Mycology
- BIOLOGY 547L Entomology
- BIOLOGY 556L Systematic Biology
- BIOLOGY 557L Microbial Ecology and Evolution
- BIOLOGY 566S Readings in Plant Ecophysiology
- BIOLOGY 588S Macroevolution
- BIOLOGY 293 / 493 Research Independent Study, conducted with a concentration area faculty member or with approval of the concentration area advisor
- 1 course listed or cross-listed in Biology a the 200-level or above (or approved alternate elective course) if using Bio 201L/202L OR 2 courses listed or cross-listed in Biology a the 200-level or above (or approved alternate elective course) if using Bio 203L
Lab Experience Requirement
Through your area and elective courses, you must take at least 2 full lab courses in addition to the gateway courses. Courses must be at the 200 level or above. A maximum of 1 independent study may count as a lab course.
Capstone Course Requirement
You must take at least 1 full 400-level or higher biology 'Capstone' course or other approved capstone course. Independent study can count towards this requirement if it is a second semester continuation.