As the population of people on earth continues to increase, productive crops and more nutritious foods will be needed. There will also be increasing stress on the environment and a need for botanists to help solve problems with air, soil, and water pollution.

Graduates of the botany major understand the basic principles of plant structure, function, ecology, and evolution, and are able to communicate effectively about plant biology. Graduates pursue careers in biotechnology, biology, teaching, medicine, pharmacology, conservation, outdoor recreation, and research.

Your courses will feature field botany, Iowa's natural history, plant-animal interactions, environmental systems, wetland and prairie ecology, aquatic plants and algae, and biodiversity.

Iowa State also provides students with herbaria and greenhouses to promote hands-on experience.