Career Profiles: Botany

CSULB Department of Botany

Botany is concerned with plant life in all its manifestations. Botanists study all aspects of plant life, identifying and classifying plants, studying the structure of plant cells, as well as learning the causes and cures of plant disease. A botanist needs to possess a scientific curiosity and to be able to observe diagnose, and analyze scientific data. These experiments may be concerned with identifying ways to grow more food on less land, exploring oceans as a source of edible vegetation, controlling plant diseases, developing new uses for existing plants, as well as exploring the many aspects of the basic biology of plants. A bachelor's degree in a life science is the minimum requisite for most positions. A Ph.D. is required for most teaching positions in colleges, universities and for many in government and industry.

Career Possibilities:

Additional experience and/or education may be required

Agricultural Commodity Grader
Agronomist
Biotechnologist
Botanist
Crop Plant Genetic Engineer
Forest Ecologist
Greenhouse Technician
Horticulturist
International Development Specialist
Lab Technician
Landscape Architect
MAF Inspector
Marine/Fresh Water Biologist
Naturalist
Plant Biochemist
Range Management Geneticist
Soil Scientist

Where Employed:

Agricultural growers
Colleges and universities
Conservation agencies
Construction industry
Food/beverage producers
Government agencies
Medical laboratories
National/state parks
Nurseries/botanical gardens
Petroleum industry
Pharmaceutical/chemical companies
Research institutes

Career Research Resources:

Career exploration, exclusive jobs & internships for CSULB students can be found on CareerLINK
Guide to career information on Occupational Outlook Handbook
Career exploration and job analysis - O*Net Online

CSULB College and Department Links:

College website: College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Academic Advising: Undergraduate Advising Resources
CSULB Degrees & Options: Colleges & Departments