Plant Biology Degree

Explore the Plant Biology degree program

Plant life exists everywhere, from the driest deserts to the wettest tropics. Vegetation covers the earth, from the finest grasses to the heartiest trees. Plants are grown for food, beautification, or other uses. They can be used to keep soil from eroding. With a Plant Biology degree, you’ll get to study the cellular makeup of plants, discovering uses for them and perhaps even improving their lifespan.

The Plant Biology (Ecology and Management) degree program is a partnership between Wayne State College and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. You’ll get a solid foundation in the biological sciences in your first three years at WSC (90 hours), then cap your education with exposure to experts in agronomy at UNL.

This program will prepare you for future studies at the master’s or doctoral level in the areas of plant molecular, cellular, and physiological biology, as well as careers in ecology, botany, rangeland management, and field biology.

View program courses Download program fact sheet (PDF)

Fast facts

Degree options: B.S. in Plant Biology (Ecology and Management concentration) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL)

Delivery format: First three years at Wayne State College (Wayne, Neb.); fourth year at UNL (Lincoln, Neb.)

Program credit hours: 105-106

Life sciences core (12-13 credit hours)
Plant biology courses (63 credit hours)
Courses at UNL (30 credit hours)

Note: Students must also take 30 credit hours of General Studies courses. A total of 120 credit hours are needed to graduate from WSC. Additional majors or minors can be added to help meet graduation requirements.

School: Science, Health, and Criminal Justice

Department: Life Sciences

Prepare for your future

Opportunities and outcomes

Biology topics covered

Principles of biology in the animal kingdom
Plant structure, function, and evolution
Gene action and molecular technology
Interrelationships of organisms and their environment
Habitats, ecosystem management, and ecological restoration
Scientific writing, research, data collection, and analysis
History and mechanisms of evolution

Student learning outcomes

Students will be able to interpret core concepts in biology
Students will be able to apply concepts in biology to internships and/or student research
Students will be able to accurately communicate core concepts in biology

Ecology Study Area

Students enrolled in the Applied Science program can immerse themselves in diverse ecosystems found on campus in our Ecology Study Area. At Wayne State, you can study ecological concepts firsthand as you observe native plant species, wetland dynamics, and the restoration of the tallgrass prairie. You have the opportunity to participate in restoration projects, conduct research on the importance of tallgrass prairies, or conduct field studies on a variety of plants and animals that call this habitat home. This unique study site is a part of what makes studying science at Wayne State such a rewarding experience.

Plant biology internships

Our outstanding Career Services Office is available to help you find plant biology internships and career opportunities.

Career services and internships

Graduates work in their chosen field using the skills they learned while at Wayne State College. Each year, eager employers welcome WSC graduates into their organizations.

Note: Due to the recent addition of the Plant Biology program, career outcomes will be available for reporting in the next couple of years.

Possible careers:

Botanist
Field biologist
Environmental scientist
Ecosystem manager
Rangeland manager
Plant ecologist
Plant pathologist
Horticulturist
Agronomist
Genetic engineer
Plant biochemist

job or grad school placement rate
within six months of graduation
Data based on most recent
employment outcomes survey

Cost of attendance

Most Affordable College in Nebraska

- College Affordability Guide, 2024

Wayne State is considered the most affordable four-year college or university in Nebraska. With same rates for in- and out-of-state students, our tuition guarantee, and our generous scholarship packages, it is clear to see how WSC earned the title. In fact, the average remaining annual cost of attendance for 2024-25 is $2,268 for undergraduate students after financial aid and scholarships.

Life sciences core courses (12-13 credit hours)

Credits: 4
Description: The first course for Biology majors. A grade of C- or better in this course is a prerequisite for all biology courses in the biology concentration. A study of the microscope, basic cell structure and function, DNA replication, mitosis, meiosis, genetics, evolution, population biology, and diversity. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Class fee of $30 required.
Prerequisite: One year of high school biology or BIO 102 Biology for General Studies
Credits: 4
Description: Emphasis on nomenclature, atomic structure, bonding, gaseous and liquid states, equilibrium, and stoichiometry. 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory. Class fee of $20 required.
Prerequisite: High school chemistry or CHE 102 Chemistry for General Studies
Choose one of the following:
- PHY 201 General Physics I (3 credits) – An algebra-based general physics course intended primarily for health professions, life science and education students. Topics include vectors, kinematics and dynamics, equilibrium, rotational motion, energy, momentum, oscillations, fluids, and thermodynamics. Prerequisite: 2 years of algebra.
- PHY301 University Physics I (4 credits)– A calculus- based general physics course intended primarily for scientists, pre-engineers, computer and math majors and advanced health professional students. Topics include vectors, kinematics and dynamics, equilibrium, rotational motion, energy, momentum, oscillations, fluids, and thermodynamics. Prerequisite: High school physics and MAT 140 Calculus I or equivalent calculus class.
Plus:
PHY 321 Physics Laboratory I (1 credit) – Concurrent enrollment in PHY 201/301 recommended but not required. This laboratory is a required course for both PHY 201 General Physics I and PHY 301 University Physics I. Experiments, appropriate to the level of lecture, include topics in mechanics, momentum, work and energy, and fluids. 3 hours lab. Physics lab fee of $20 required.

Biology concentration courses (43 credits)

Credits: 4
Description: A study of the principles of biology as they apply to the uniformity, diversity, and organization of the animal kingdom. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Class fee of $30 required.
Prerequisite: C- or better in BIO 110 Biology Concepts
Credits: 4
Description: A study of the principle of biology through an investigation into the molecular, anatomical, and morphological diversity of the non-animal Eukarya. Students will use laboratory methodology and scientific inquiry to understand plant structure, function, and evolution. Topics related to the human use of plants including phytopharmacology, ethnobotany, and plant biotechnology will also be examined. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Class fee of $30 required.
Prerequisite: C- or better in BIO 110 Biology Concepts
Credits: 4
Description: A study of the mechanisms of inheritance, the molecular basis of gene action and the use of molecular techniques and molecular technology in biomedical, agricultural, and industrial research. The lab component of this course focuses on hands-on use of molecular equipment and technologies used in graduate and industrial molecular-based research. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Class fee of $30 required.
Prerequisite: C- or better in BIO 110 Biology Concepts, CHE 106 General Chemistry I
Credits: 4
Description: An evolution-based study of the interrelationships of organisms and their environment. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Class fee of $30 required
Prerequisite: 8 hours of biology
Credits: 3
Description: A study of habitat assessment, ecosystem management and ecological restoration. Students will integrate knowledge gained from various disciplines to develop conservation management plans.
Prerequisite: Junior standing
Credits: 2
Description: This course is designed for biology majors as an introduction to scientific writing, library research, data collection, and data analysis. The student will be expected to use the skills learned in this course to establish a proposal for a research project for BIO 465 Continuing Research and BIO 470 Research Project.
Prerequisite: C- or better in BIO 110 Biology Concepts, 8 hours of biology
Credits: 1
Description: The internship program is a credit-bearing program providing undergraduate students with the opportunity to integrate career-related work experience with classroom learning. Work experiences occur in positions relevant to a student’s major. Internships require a minimum of 45-50 work hours for each 1 hour of credit. Contact the Career Services Office, your academic advisor, or department chair for specific details. Graded S/NC
Prerequisite: Approval of the academic advisor and/or department chair and a minimum 2.0 GPA requirement and/or the eligibility requirements per the department.
Credits: 3
Description: The study of the history of evolutionary thought. The course will explore the evidence for evolution by examining the fossil record, comparative anatomy/physiology, and model field studies. Students will learn the model systems demonstrating the mechanisms that drive evolution: mutation, selection, genetic drift, gene flow, and inbreeding. Students are required to conduct research projects requiring quantitative analysis of evolutionary and ecological data. Evolution is a unifying theme in biology which integrates knowledge from all biological disciplines. 3 hours lecture-lab combined.
Prerequisite: C- or better in BIO 110 Biology Concepts, BIO 200 Zoology, BIO 210 Experimental Plant Science, and BIO 320 Molecular Genetics
Credits: 1
Description: Students will develop an oral and written presentation of their biology internship experience. Students will incorporate current research literature into their presentations.
Prerequisite: C- or better in BIO 110 Biology Concepts, BIO 370 Introduction to Research, and BIO 397 Internship.
Credits: 1
Description: This course is a continuation of BIO 370 and 465. Students will take this course as a means of completing their individual research project under the direction of a chosen instructor. A presentation of this research in both oral and written form is required at the conclusion of the course.
Prerequisite: C- or better in BIO 110 Biology Concepts, BIO 370 Introduction to Research, and BIO 465 Continuing Research.
Credits: 4
Description: A continuation of CHE 106 with emphasis on kinetics, redox reactions, molecular geometry, hydrolysis, electrochemistry, and solubility products. Qualitative analysis included. 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory. Class fee of $20 required.
Prerequisite: C- or better in CHE 106 or by consent of instructor
Credits: 4
Description: This course is designed to allow students to learn the fundamental aspects of organic chemistry. Among the topics covered will be structure determination, bonding, stereochemistry, and spectroscopy. Also included are the structure and reactivity of alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, and alcohols. The laboratory work will introduce the equipment and techniques of chemistry, which relate to the material discussed in the lecture. The experiments will develop organic laboratory techniques for product formation, isolation, purification, and identification. 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory $20 class fee required.
Prerequisite: C- or better in CHE 107 General Chemistry II
Credits: 4
Description: Study of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates with emphasis on their structure, function, and metabolism. 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory. Class fee of $20 required.
Prerequisite: C- or better in CHE 208 Introductory Organic Chemistry or CHE 315 Organic Chemistry II
Credits: 4
Description: An introduction to the Earth as planet with special emphasis being placed upon atmospheric and oceanic processes. High school mathematics is used extensively in this course. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Lab fee of $20 required.
Credits: 3
Description: This course provides a basic introduction to the theory behind and hands-on usage of a Geographic Information System. An ability to manipulate and visualize data graphically is becoming ever more important in today’s technological workplace. A Geographic Information System is a computing tool that allows the user to visualize information in ways that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends not visible using other presentation methods.
Credits: 5
Description: Mastery of algebra and trigonometry is necessary before taking this course. Theory and applications of limits, derivatives, antiderivatives, definite integrals, and differentials of algebraic, trigonometric, logarithmic, and exponential functions.
Prerequisite: Placement or “C-” or better in MAT 130 Precalculus
Credits: 3
Description: An introduction to the practice of statistics including sampling, experimental design, data displays, descriptive statistics, binomial and normal probability distributions, sampling distributions, one and two sample confidence intervals, hypothesis tests for means and proportions, and linear regression with analysis. Traditional and resampling/bootstrapping methods are employed. 4 hours of lecture-lab combined.
Prerequisite: Placement or C- or better in Mat 121 College Algebra, MAT 130 Precalculus, or MAT 140 Calculus I
BIO elective courses numbered 300 or above (9 credits) – For a complete listing of courses and their descriptions, view the course catalog.