Career as Botanists
Botanists are biological scientists who study plant life and plant-like organisms such as mosses, conifers, algae, fungi, and their surroundings. Their focus ranges on a broad range of living organisms from the smallest bacteria to the giant sequoia trees. In other words, it is a science of plant life that deals with the study of structure, physiology, metabolism, genetics, evolution, reproduction and classification of plants. The scientists who study botany are also called plant scientists or a phytologist. Botany is fundamental in itself because plants help sustain all human life and animal life. It generates food and oxygen essential for the survival of the living organisms. Botanists are the minds behind propelling a clean energy economy. They also help conserve endangered species and wildlife. Agricultural botanists are the front runners in enhancing farm yield and the nutrition value of crops. While others help develop biofuels, fabrics, medicines and raw materials.
- About Botanists :
- Job Profile |
- How do I get there?
Job Profile
If you are really into plants and working with them makes you happy, then a career as a botanist is the right choice for you. Botany, also known as plant science or phytology is the branch of biology that offers multiple career options. Botanists as a career can help you contribute with educational institutions, private or public sector companies in agriculture or forestry, biotechnology, environmental protection, drugs, genetics research, and food industries.
Those of you who love foreign and exotic lands can take outdoor career options as ecologists, foresters, chemical biologists, and taxonomists among many others. However, one who is from a maths background can go for genetics, biophysics, developmental botany or system ecology. A numerate will find these options much more exciting than someone with interest in chemistry who aspires to become a molecular biologist, plant physiologist or plant biochemist.
The amount of air and water pollution has seen a
drastic rise in recent times. This, in turn, has helped create new
and powerful tools in technology and molecular biology that has
given vast opportunities to fight these challenges of climate
change. And guess what, it adds a good amount of career option that
deals with the use of electron microscopes, digital imaging
analysis, radioisotopes, cell and tissue culture, etc.
The other job scope with a career as a botanist is Weed scientist, Taxonomist, Researcher, Conservationist, Plant physiologist, Ecologist, Plant geneticists, a Plant biochemist, Palaeobotanist, etc. These are exciting job options that can suit your work interest with a handsome salary. Plus, their research aids in enhancing crop productivity, cleaning up contaminated sites, developing medicines, and even galvanizing/propelling up your cars.
Roles and Salary
|
S.No. |
Botanist Jobs |
Average Salary per annum (in lakh) |
|
1 |
Taxonomist |
3.5 lakh |
|
2 |
Plant Biochemist |
2.75 lakh |
|
3 |
Ecologist |
4.5 lakh |
|
4 |
Plant Physiologist |
6 lakh |
|
5 |
Plant Biochemist |
2.5 lakh |
|
6 |
Researcher |
3 lakh |
|
7 |
Conservationist |
3.5 lakh |
|
8 |
Plant Geneticist |
7.5 lakh |
|
9 |
Morphologist |
3 lakh |
|
10 |
Fruit Grower |
3.75 lakh |
|
11 |
Cytologist |
4.25 lakh |
How do I get there?
The eligibility criteria of the Botany depends on the hierarchy of degree courses one is willing to take. Let’s see the eligibility criteria for the aspirants on each level of courses:
-
For a student to participate in a Bachelor course of Botany (B.Sc. Botany), he must have passed the 10+2 examination with a minimum score of 50-60% in Biology, Physics, and Chemistry as the main subjects. However, few colleges also assign entrance test scores as the basis of admission. A student must belong from a well- recognized institution that is affiliated to the respective board.
-
Most of the institutions have a direct entry mode with a 50% score in B.Sc. from a recognized university. This score can vary depending on the criteria of each college. There may even be entrance tests in some universities, as most of them follow their admission norms.
A merit list is charted out based on the
undergraduate score of an individual while some colleges may
combine the weightage of an undergraduate score with the entrance
test score.
-
An aggregate score of 55% (50% for SC/ST candidates) in a postgraduate discipline from an affiliated university is primary to avail of a PhD in Botany. Moreover, one must have at least 5 years of administrative/teaching or professional experience at a senior level. This prerequisite may vary according to the college or university a candidate opt for.
Courses in Botany
There is a range of undergraduate and
postgraduate courses in Botany across India. A chunk of reputed
colleges in India that offer quality education in undergraduate,
postgraduate, and doctorate courses in Botany. Here are some of the
courses listed below.
Bachelor Degree
Courses
-
Bachelor in Science (B.Sc. Botany)
-
Bachelor in Science (B.Sc. Plant Biology)
-
Bachelor in Science (B.Sc. Plant Biotechnology)
Master Degree Courses
-
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Botany
-
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Botany (Hons.)
-
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Applied Botany
-
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Botany and Forestry
-
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Herbal Science
-
Master of Philosophy (M Phil) in Botany
-
Master of Philosophy (M Phil) in Life Sciences (Botany)
-
Post-Graduate Diploma (PGDip) in Life Science
-
Post-Graduate Diploma (PGDip) in Medical Botany
-
Post-Graduate Diploma (PGDip) in Plant Biodiversity
-
Post-Graduate Diploma (PGDip) in Plant Tissue Culture
Doctorate Degree Course
-
PhD in Botany
-
PhD in Life Science (Botany)
Difference between the general degree and an honours degree
-
The main difference between honours degree and general degree is that the honours degree specializes in one major subject while the general degree is a multidisciplinary approach.
-
A general degree is more common than an honours degree. A honours degree has a more standard curriculum.
-
An Honours degree includes additional papers to pass the exam. While the general degree is much easier to pass.
Apart from the common Botanic courses, there are various high-value Botany specializations available for the students. The students must choose their specialization wisely according to their interests.
Specializations
-
Plant Taxonomy
-
Plant of Ecology
-
Phycology
-
Economic Botany and Weed Science
-
Plant Genetics
-
Forestry
-
Agronomy
-
Plant Systematics
-
Palaeobotany
-
Phytopathology
Top Colleges for Botany
|
S. No. |
College/Institution Name |
Course |
|
1 |
St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad |
B.Sc. / M.Sc. /Ph.D. |
|
2 |
Christ University, Bangalore |
B.Sc. / M.Sc. / Ph.D. |
|
3 |
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur |
B.Sc. / M.Sc. / Ph.D. |
|
4 |
Ramjas College, Delhi |
B.Sc. / M.Sc. / Ph.D. |
|
5 |
University of Jammu, Jammu |
B.Sc. / M.Sc. /Ph.D. |
|
6 |
Mount Carmel College, Bangalore |
B.Sc. / M.Sc. /Ph.D. |
|
7 |
Jadavpur University, Kolkata |
B.Sc. / M.Sc. / Ph.D. |
|
8 |
Birla Institute of Technology Mesra, Ranchi |
B.Sc. / M.Sc. / Ph.D. |
|
9 |
Central University of Jharkhand, Ranchi |
B.Sc. / M.Sc. / Ph.D. |
|
10 |
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi |
B.Sc. / M.Sc. / Ph.D. |
|
11 |
Khalsa College, Amritsar |
B.Sc. / M.Sc. / Ph.D. |
|
12 |
Loyola College, Chennai |
B.Sc. / M.Sc. / Ph.D. |
Course Duration and Fees
|
S.No. |
Course Name |
Duration |
Fees (Rs) |
|
1 |
B.Sc. in Botany |
3 Years |
15,000 to 40,000 |
|
2 |
M.Sc. in Botany |
2 Years |
30,000 to 1,40,000 |
|
3 |
B.Sc. (Hons.) in Botany |
3 Years |
15,000 to 40,000 |
|
4 |
M.Phil (Botany) |
1 Year |
20,000 to 40,000 |
|
5 |
M.Sc. (Herbal Science) |
2 Years |
25,000 to 1,25,000 |
|
6 |
M.Sc. (Applied Botany) |
2 Years |
30,000 to 1,00,000 |
|
7 |
M.Sc. (Botany and Forestry) |
2 Years |
25,000 to 1,10,000 |
|
8 |
Ph.D. (Botany) |
3-5 Years |
2,000 to 8,00,000 |
|
9 |
Diploma in Applied Botany |
1 Year |
15,000 to 75,000 |
|
10 |
Postgraduate Diploma (Life Science) |
1 Year |
10,000 to 50,000 |
|
11 |
Postgraduate Diploma (Medical Botany) |
1 Year |
12,000 to 64,000 |
|
12 |
Postgraduate Diploma (Plant Biodiversity) |
1 Year |
15,000 to 59,000 |
|
13 |
Postgraduate Diploma (Plant Tissue Culture) |
1 Year |
15,000 to 55,000 |
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Content on this page is by Career Expert Mrs. Kum Kum Tandon MA (Psychology), M.Ed, Diploma in Educational Psychology, Vocational Guidance & Counseling (NCERT, Delhi) | View Complete Profile |