Plant Cellular And Molecular Biology
Colleges of the Arts & Sciences – Biological Sciences
Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology
Plant biology has traditionally focused on the study of plant life university. Most begin by completing at least 50 credit hours
to understand how plants survive, grow, develop and flourish
of prerequisites, including general biology, general and organic
as well as the functions they perform, how they reproduce and
chemistry, calculus and two quarters of physics. In most cases
have evolved, where they fit in the ecosystem, and the many
there are honors sections of these courses for qualifying
ways that humans use them, such as for food, fiber, fuel, and
students. The exact number of credits and specific prerequisites
medicines. As human population growth places increasing
will depend in part on the quality of high school preparation. As a
demands on agriculture and plant products, the need for basic
result of testing, a student might be placed into math or science
knowledge of plant processes and the genetic manipulation of
courses at higher levels and thus move more rapidly into the
those processes has increased. One of the many challenges
PCMB courses.
for our future is to deepen our knowledge and exploit new
technologies to create and enhance plant products to be used by
Having completed the required supportive courses, students, in
humans in an environmentally compatible way.
consultation with their faculty advisers, plan a major tailored
to their particular background and interests. The Plant Cellular
Plant biology at Ohio State has responded to these and other
and Molecular Biology major is composed of a minimum of 40
challenges to become a leading player in the modern revolution in
credit hours in biological sciences at the 200 level or above. A
molecular biology. To this end, our Department and undergraduate
core curriculum is required, consisting of General Plant Biology,
major were renamed to Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology
Introductory Biochemistry and General Genetics. The major also
(PCMB) in 2004. Undergraduate students are invited to work with
requires laboratory experience. Additional electives should total
our faculty to study plants from the molecular level to the cellular
at least 25 credit hours in PCMB courses as well as 15 other
and whole plant level, including development and physiology.
credits chosen from electives in approved courses from other
PCMB faculty at Ohio State teach and carry out research in many
departments. Choose electives that you are interested in. Talk to
areas, including the regulation of gene expression and protein
other students, the undergraduate adviser and to PCMB faculty
synthesis, signal transduction and development, genomics, cell
to find out which courses are for you as well as those that are
biology, metabolism and bioenergetics, molecular responses
recommended for your particular goals. A student planning to
to biotic and abiotic stress, circadian rhythms, and plant
enter graduate school to study plant molecular biology would
biotechnology.
probably select a different set of courses than a student planning
to work in a biotechnology laboratory. Majors are urged to consult
Pursuing Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology at Ohio State
Department advisers often as they move through the program
PCMB majors should have a background in English, math,
to clarify their objectives and refine their course selections and
chemistry, and physics as well as biology when they enter Ohio
research plans.
State. Students should have reasonable skill in writing as well as
computer literacy.
Co-Curricular Opportunities
Ohio State offers many opportunities for students to learn and
Many plant biologists were first attracted to their research
grow outside of the classroom. These range from cooperative
specialty by their experience in science fairs and similar
education (co-op) and internships to study abroad programs to
competitive events. High school students should watch for
student organizations. Co-ops and internships place students in
opportunities to attend workshops at colleges and universities, or
professional environments while they are Ohio State students.
to assist professors with their research.
Ohio State offers more than 100 study abroad programs in 40
countries around the world. In addition, there are hundreds of
All Ohio State freshman applicants are considered within a
student organizations on campus to meet the interests of a
competitive admission process for the Columbus campus.
diverse student population.
The primary criteria for admission are the completion of the
applicant’s high school college preparatory program, performance
Specific opportunities for students interested in Plant Cellular
in that program as indicated by class rank and/or grade-point
and Molecular Biology include a Plant Biology student club
average, and performance on either the ACT or SAT. Upon
and an honorary student organization which enhance learning
admission to the university, students can declare a major in
opportunities and the quality of the undergraduate experience for
anthropology within the College of Biological Sciences. Interested
plant biology students. These clubs provide chances for students
students should contact the undergraduate advisor for PCMB and
to interact with faculty, discuss careers and research areas
an Undergraduate Student Academic Services (USAS) counselor.
with scientists from the Ohio State campus and beyond, and
participate in service activities.
Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology Requirements
Freshmen should begin planning their course of study with
Plant biology students may take courses at Ohio State University’s
an adviser in the department as soon as they enter the
“Island Campus,” Stone Laboratory. Located on Gibraltar Island
For more information, check these web sites:
Plant Cel ular and Molecular Biology:
Ohio State: www.osu.edu
www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~plantbio/plantbio.html
Admissions: undergrad.osu.edu
College of Biological Sciences: www.biosci.ohio-state.edu
Multicultural Center: multiculturalcenter.osu.edu
Curriculum Sample
in Put-in-Bay harbor on Lake Erie, this freshwater biological field station and
This is a sample list of the classes a student will take
research laboratory offers introductory and upper-level courses suitable for
to pursue a degree in Plant Biology. Since university
undergraduate students in biological sciences.
students need more than specific education in a
narrow field, they also will take classes to complete
Get Your Hands “Dirty” Doing Lab Research
No other learning experience can match the value of a “hands-on” research
the General Education Curriculum (GEC). The GEC
project. PCMB students are encouraged to take advantage of meaningful
will allow students to develop the fundamental
research opportunities tailored to undergraduates. Lab-based work can
skills essential to collegiate success across major
stimulate curiosity and analytic skills, provide experiential learning that
programs. Course work options satisfying the GEC
enhances understanding of course-based material, and offer direct experience
often come from a variety of academic areas of study
that helps in deciding on future paths. To learn more about different
allowing students to tailor their GEC toward their
opportunities and research programs, consult with an undergraduate adviser
interests. Note: This sample represents one of several
and with faculty, and also visit the PCMB web site.
possible paths to a degree in Plant Biology. Consult
the departmental web site, www.biosci.ohio-state.
Honors & Scholars Programs
edu/~plantbio/plantbio.html, for details on each
The Honors Program in the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences provides high-
specific track.
ability students opportunities to pursue challenging academic programs. Honors
students in Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology are especially encouraged
Freshman Year:
to meet with their faculty adviser on a regular basis to develop an enhanced
Biological Sciences Survey
1
curriculum that includes honors courses and seminars, upper-division courses,
General Chemistry
15
and a collaborative research experience.
General Biology
10
Mathematics
5
The Ohio State Scholars Programs feature residential communities for students
GEC (English composition)
5
who share academic interests and career goals. The Biological Sciences
GEC (foreign language)
15
Scholars Program emphasizes hands-on research, with individualized advising
Freshman Seminar
1
and significant lab and field experience. The Health Sciences Scholars Program
Total hours
52
is focused on preparing students for careers in health sciences and health care.
Sophomore Year:
Career Prospects in Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology
Students with a bachelor’s degree in PCMB may find job opportunities as
Organic Chemistry
6
laboratory technicians in industrial laboratories and academic environments.
Calculus
10
Potential employers include academic institutions, government agencies,
General Plant Biology
5
pharmaceutical, chemical, and biotechnology companies.
PCMB major course
5
GEC (foreign language)
5
A major in plant cellular and molecular biology provides excellent preparation
GEC (social sciences)
10
for graduate study in biology and agriculture. An MS or a Ph.D. can lead to
GEC (arts and humanities)
10
attractive positions in industry and academia. Many plant biologists teach
Total hours
51
and conduct research at colleges and universities after obtaining a Ph.D.
degree. Most Ph.D. students, as part of their training, serve as research and
Junior Year:
teaching assistants and thereby earn a large part of their living and educational
Physics
10
expenses while they are in graduate school.
Introduction to Biological Chemistry
5
PCMB major courses
10
A BS in plant cellular and molecular biology combined with other courses
General Genetics
5
can provide additional career options such as in journalism, scientific writing,
GEC (arts and humanities)
10
pharmaceuticals, medicine, health care, biotechnology law, and education.
GEC (second writing)
5
Total hours
45
Careers based in business or industry often yield higher salaries than in
educational or governmental institutions. Chemical and biotechnology
Senior Year:
companies are a major source of employment for those with a background in
Research
5
plant cellular and molecular biology.
Introduction to Statistics
5
PCMB major courses
10
For more information about careers, call or write the Arts and Sciences Career
Electives
15
Services Office, 06 Denney Hall, 164 West 17th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio
43210-1371, (614) 292-1868. Additional career information is available from the
GEC (social sciences)
5
American Society of Plant Biologists web site at www.aspb.org.
GEC (arts and humanities)
5
Total hours
45
Revised July 2004
Contact information:
Department of Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology
500 Aronoff Laboratory | 318 West 12th Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43210-1293 | (614) 292-8952
