The undergraduate major in Plant Biology is designed to provide students with solid preparation in the natural sciences while also offering students the flexibility to take major and elective courses that are tailored to their interests. Students can choose to pursue a general major with courses in different areas of Plant Biology, or can specialize their study in one of the following areas: Ethnobotany; Plant Biotechnology and Cell and Molecular Biology; and Plant Ecology, Biodiversity, and Conservation. Most Plant Biology courses include a laboratory or field component that gives students hands-on experience in their specialty area.

A substantive research or teaching experience in the plant sciences is required of all students in the major to prepare and help qualify them for post-graduate education or employment in plant biology and the applied plant sciences, health professions, and education. Students work closely with departmental faculty and their academic advisor to identify training and career opportunities that are consistent with their goals.