Program Statistics
Visit Master's Program Statistics and PhD Program Statistics for statistics such as program admissions, enrollment, student demographics and more.
Plant Biology and Conservation
Degree Types: MS, PhD
The Program in Plant Biology and Conservation focuses on preparing students for future leadership positions in botanical science and plant conservation. In response to growing national and international threats to biodiversity and impending global mass extinctions, the program is designed to train future botanists who have the skills to meet and address this crisis.
Conducted jointly by Northwestern University (NU) and the Chicago Botanic Garden (CBG), the program offers a master of science and doctoral degree through The Graduate School at Northwestern University. Advanced courses are taught by NU professors and CBG scientists in a variety of fields, including conservation biology, genetics, plant and soil ecology, evolution, plant science, environmental science and policy, geology, environmental economics, and anthropology. Many courses offered by CBG are taught at the Garden.
Additional resources:
Program Contact
Contact Antonio Benitez
Program Assistant
Degree Requirements
The following requirements are in addition to, or further elaborate upon, those requirements outlined in The Graduate School Policy Guide.
Master's
Overview of MS Tracks in Plant Biology and Conservation
Thesis MS
Total Units Required: 11
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| Core Courses (4 units) | |
| PBC 450-0 | Field and Laboratory Methods in Plant Biology and Conservation (2 units) |
| PBC 451-0 | Critical Topics in Ecology and Conservation (1 unit) |
| PBC 435-0 | Biostatistics (Biostatistics/Data science requirement-(1 unit)) |
| Or other options. See PBC Handbook for reference. | |
| Electives (5 units) | |
| One elective from Ecology and Evolution/Genetics is recommended: | |
| Ecology | |
| PBC 402-0 | Plant Community Ecology (1 unit) |
| PBC 418-0 | Soils and the Environment: The Earth's Critical Zone (1 unit) |
| Evolution/Genetics | |
| PBC 401-0 | Plant Evolution & Diversity Lab (1 unit) |
| PBC 430-0 | Conservation Genetics (1 unit) |
| BIOL_SCI 341-0 | Population Genetics (1 unit) |
| BIOL_SCI 378-0 | Functional Genomics (1 unit) |
| PBC 499-0 | Independent Study |
| Capstone | |
| Research/Thesis | |
Land Management non-thesis MS
Total Units Required: 9
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | |
| PBC 450-0 | Field and Laboratory Methods in Plant Biology and Conservation (2 units) |
| PBC 451-0 | Critical Topics in Ecology and Conservation (1 unit) |
| PBC 435-0 | Biostatistics (Biostatistics/Data science requirement-(1 unit)) |
| Or other options. See PBC Handbook for reference. | |
| Total core: 5 units | |
| Electives | |
| Total electives: 4 units | |
| PBC 499-0 | Independent Study |
| Capstone | |
| Internship/Project | |
| Duration | |
| 1 year | |
Degree Requirements
The following requirements are in addition to, or further elaborate upon, those requirements outlined in The Graduate School Policy Guide.
PhD
Total Units Required: 13
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | |
| PBC 450-0 | Field and Laboratory Methods in Plant Biology and Conservation (2 units) |
| PBC 451-0 | Critical Topics in Ecology and Conservation (1 unit) |
| PBC 435-0 | Biostatistics (Biostatistics/Data science requirement-(1 unit)) |
| Or other options. See PBC Handbook for reference. | |
| Bioethics course (zero credit) | |
| Student Research Seminar Presentation (Fall through Spring quarters, starting in the second year) (zero credit) | |
| Elective Courses | |
| Nine elective courses for graduate credit at the 300- or 400- level chosen from PBC and other departmental courses | |
Other PhD Degree Requirements:
- Final Exam: Oral defense of a written dissertation under the direction of a faculty member and approved by a dissertation committee.