Conducted jointly by Northwestern University (NU) and the Chicago Botanic Garden (CBG), the program offers a master of science degree through The Graduate School at Northwestern University. Advanced courses are taught by eminent professors and scientists in a variety of fields, including biology, ecology, plant science, environmental science, geology, and anthropology, affiliated with both institutions. Many courses offered by CBG are taught at the Garden.

Students learn how to use the Code of Botanical Nomenclature and define plant populations. They also acquire an understanding of the complexity and interactions of the many organisms that comprise plant communities and ecosystems and develop a working knowledge of nucleic acid and chromosome structure; an understanding of the mechanisms and control of DNA mutation, recombination, repair, restriction and replication; and a mastery of recombinant DNA technology and gene cloning.