Botanist
Comprehensive Sites
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Biological ScientistCreated by the U.S. Department of Labor, this career profile introduces you to the training, work qualifications, employment data, and job outlook for biological scientists, including botanists. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find links to important professional organizations in the field, or click on detailed earnings data and learn more about this career in the sciences.
Princeton Review: BotanyLearn about the study of botany at this page, and find links to information on high school preparation for this field, a sample undergraduate college curriculum, and links to schools that offer the major. You will also find a few fun facts about the field, too.
Science and Plants for SchoolsTake a look at science and plant information directed at students of all types. If you click on “secondary,” you will see a menu that includes articles for post-high school students. Find out about plants in the news, plant identification, and a plant science image database.
Occupational Titles
Botanist
Plant Biologist
Accredited Academic Programs
Princeton Review: Schools Offering BotanyThe study of plant biology is available at several colleges across the U.S. A list is available here, including direct links to schools’ home pages so you can learn about their academic programs.
Salary Levels
PayScale: BotanistThis salary survey offers information on the median earnings by years of employment in the field of botany. Scroll further down the page, and you will see similar charts on salary according to employer type.
Professional Organizations
American Institute of Biological SciencesDiscover the scientific association dedicated to the advancement of biological research, and the education and scientific programs it provides. A page at this site is dedicated to providing information on careers in biology, while other subsites offer publications and news, online social networking, and meeting details. Student chapters are organized, with information on how to start your own and sample resources for students.
American Society of Plant BiologistsPromoting the advancement of plant biology knowledge, this organization hosts publications, libraries, a job bank, educational resources, and a very large student membership. Learn about all the benefits that a student membership entitles you to, including discounts on publications, free e-access to educational materials, a free resume posting to the job bank, and invitations to meetings.
Botanical Society of AmericaFounded over 100 years ago, this society’s membership is made up of students, teachers, and scientists around the globe. Look at an image of the week and the home page; then go to departments for botany publications, careers, and membership information. You’ll also find unique resources on mysterious plants and the challenges of understanding plant evolution.
Federation of American Societies for Experimental BiologyMany publication resources are available from the menu at the top of this page, in addition to current news in the field of experimental biology. Career resources have their own separate department, and a link exists to a list of societies that are currently participating in the Federation. Each organization has its own benefits, and you might want to go to their separate home pages to learn more.
Job Opportunity Sources
American Institute of Biological Sciences: Careers in the Biological SciencesAnswers to frequently asked questions about biological careers are found at this site, as well as a link to careers in biology brochure and a separate classified ad section.
American Society of Plant Biologists: Job ResourcesNot only will you find a job bank link at this page, but you can also access jobs overseas, a recruitment website for life sciences professionals, a placement service, and thousands of other opportunities and pages for jobs, internships, and fellowships in the plant science world.
Publications
American Journal of BotanyClick on the current issue to see the table of contents and abstracts about cell biology, ecology, anatomy, and other topics in plant science.
American Society of Plant Biologists: PublicationsThe magazines and journals collected here include focus issues and some open access to discussions of plant physiology, the plant cell, and articles on agricultural ethics. A book is also provided online at no cost that includes 100 chapters of interesting aspects of the plant kingdom.
Botanical ReviewThis leading international journal draws its coverage from evolution, physiology, and many other subjects in botanical science. You can access contents and abstracts from past issues from this page, sponsored by the New York Botanical Garden.
International Journal of Plant SciencesBecome familiar with the physiology, development, structure, and evolution of plants with this internationally distributed publication. Highlighted articles are available, with some free introductory discussions. You can also access a sample issue at no cost.
NatureFind the latest news in the field of biological sciences at the headlines here, with excellent news and information in the field all available from your laptop. The Nature network is filled with blogs, forums, and people to connect with, and the online publication can be browsed by popular biological topics.
Science MagazineFind career information, as well as scientific research and news, at this online version of Science magazine. A current online issue is offered that provides a multimedia department where you can listen to podcasts, find images and slides, or view videos on such topics as gene regulation. View previous issues by subject, or explore special features of the publication.
SmithsonianIf you are interested in biology, you will find many departments at the Smithsonian online magazine to keep you busy, including the science and nature section. You can explore feature articles, the environmental sciences, and wildlife.
Online Forums & Blogs
American Institute of Biological Sciences: Online Social NetworkingThe American Institute of Biological Sciences has created networking groups on Facebook and LinkedIn that any interested person can join. Services are free and include Facebook main groups and coalition groups that the Institute supports, including Diversity in Biological Sciences and the Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science. If you do not already have one, simply create a Facebook account to get started.
American Society of Plant Biologists BlogsRecent entries can be seen at the right side of the page, as well as a quick search tool, recent comments, and a monthly archive for botany discussions.
Career Videos
Iseek: BiologistsWatch a video about the jobs of biological scientists, including the various life processes behaviors and diseases they study and the structures of life forms they are interested in. Find out the difference between basic and applied research and the tasks that all biologists have in common. You can also click on related links to work activities, skills, preparation, wages, jobs, and certifications in the field.
Truveo Botanist VideosTruveo videos include this collection of about 40 programs, drawn from YouTube, public television, and other great sources. Take a tour with a field botanist, get answers to questions in botanical science, or access the most frequently viewed videos today.
