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microscopes, radioisotopes, digital imaging analysis, polymerase chain
reaction, cell and tissue culture, satellite imaging and telemetry.

Careers in botany
One of the best things about plant science is the number of different specialities
and career opportunities from which you can choose. This diversity allows
people with different backgrounds, aptitudes, and interests to find satisfying
careers in plant biology. More than many other scientific fields, botany continues
to provide opportunities for women as well as men. There are few things more
fulfilling than to work in a job that is both fun to do and a benefit to others.
Among the careers available to a person who enjoys the outdoors are positions
as an ecologist, taxonomist, conservationist, forester, or plant explorer. Your work may
take you to foreign and exotic lands. It may allow you to live and work in the
great outdoors. A person with a mathematical background might find
biophysics, developmental botany, genetics, modeling, or systems ecology to be exciting fields.
Someone with interest in chemistry might become a plant physiologist, plant
biochemist, molecular biologist, or chemotaxonomist. Many people do not realize that
most of the fundamental biological processes are the same in both plants and
animals. Plants, however, are easier to grow and manipulate.
Plant structure may appeal to a person who enjoys microscopy and the
beauty of intricate form and design. Persons fascinated with microscopic
organisms often choose microbiology, phycology or mycology. On a larger scale,
ornamental horticulture and landscape design require artistic use of plant form and
colour. A person concerned about the world food supply might study plant
pathology (diseases) or plant breeding. At larger universities, there are separate
departments specializing in different applied sub-disciplines of botany. Some
examples are Agronomy (field crops), Horticulture (ornamentals, fruits and
vegetables), Microbiology (microbes such as bacteria and fungi) and Plant
Pathology (diseases of plants). Plant biologists who enjoy working with people
have a wide range of opportunities in teaching and public service.

Current fields
Teaching botany is a challenging and rewarding career. A teaching
botanist must understand a variety of sub-disciplines of this field and be able to
explain them to students. This provides an opportunity to inspire new
generations with an understanding of, and appreciation for, plants.
Many other careers for botanists do not involve teaching or research.
Some botanists work in marketing or administration of plant-related industries
such as pharmaceutical companies, seed companies, biotechnology firms,
scientific publishers and biological supply houses. Other plant biologists work in
museums, herbaria, and botanical gardens.
Major employers of plant biologists are educational institutions,
federal and state agencies, and industries. Job opportunities usually depend upon

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