B.Sc Botany is a course chosen by many students out of their love for biology and plants. But many have no clue what to do upon graduating. Many go on to work as assistants in labs and companies for a basic pay. Others go on to study M.Sc in Botany itself. But there are other courses one can pursue to become professionals in their field of interests. This article states five professional courses one can study after their graduation degree in botany. This will show you that there are many more options than becoming just a botanist.
M.Sc Agronomy
Agronomy is the science and technology of producing and using plants in agriculture for food, fuel, fiber and land restoration. Subjects studied under this degree are modern concepts in crop production, physiology of drought and crop yield, herbicides and crop production, principles of crop nutrition, advanced irrigation agronomy, cropping and farming systems and agro-meteorology. This course is suitable for students with good knowledge of biology, environment, and analytical and problem solving skills.
After passing the M.Sc Agronomy course, one can become a junior fellow researcher in Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Delhi. They are employed as Farm Managers or Agronomists. Agronomists will be needed to find ways to increase the output of crops used and to balance increased agricultural output with protection and preservation of soil, water, and ecosystems. They can also seek a job in the seed companies, Lawn care companies or Farm Services Agency.
Courses in the field of Horticulture and Flower Production
M.Sc Horticulture or Certificate Course in Commercial Flower Production are some of the most sought after course today. It deals with cultivation and primary processing of plants, management, consulting, activity organization, quality assurance, production and marketing of horticultural enterprises. This is the best field of study for students who are interested in flower production and business management.
Students who have done their masters in Horticulture can be employed as a Horticulturist, Garden or Orchard owner, and Food Processing plants to name a few. Students who do their specialisation in commercial flower production can work as floriculturist, flower production manager, floral designer and flower production supervisor.
M.Sc Ecology and Environmental Studies
Masters in Ecology and Environmental Studies is a course that is highly essential for today’s world. Environmental problems are among the most urgent issues facing our world today. And it is essential that we understand how the environment functions and reacts to the actions of mankind. The course focuses on water chemistry, watershed analysis, conservation biology, inland water systems, fisheries and wildlife science management, ecology and global change. Alongside the course, they can specialise in subjects such as plant diversity, plant ecology, wildlife ecology, conservation biology, to name a few.
Students who are passionate about the environmental and ecological changes in our world benefit the most from this course. Graduates of this course find jobs in industries as industrial ecologist. They can also become a conservationist, ecologist or an environmental consultant.
M.Sc Molecular Biology
Molecular Biology is a field of science concerned with studying the chemical structures and processes of biological phenomena that involve the basic units of life, molecules. The discipline is particularly concerned with the study of proteins and nucleic acids. The masters course deals with biomolecules, enzymology, molecular biology, biostatistics, immunology, physical biochemistry and biochemical techniques. Those who choose to pursue this course must have an interest in biology, research, alongwith problem solving skills and organization skills. It is essential when one is researching and the solution depends on the accuracy of the results.
An M.Sc Molecular Biology graduate is employed in Pharma companies, Molecular diagnostic labs, Hospitals and labs, and in Food companies. One can work as a molecular biologist, scientific manager, technical application scientist, pathologist and research assistant.
M.Sc Botany
Masters in Botany is one of the most commonly pursued courses upon the completion of B.Sc Botany. It covers a wide range of scientific disciplines concerned with the study of plants, algae and fungi, structure, growth, reproduction, metabolism, development, diseases, chemical properties, and evolutionary relationships among taxonomic groups. This course is suitable for botany enthusiasts. The students must have a good understanding of the scientific method, and prepared for the tedious research processes.
The job opportunities for a graduate of M.Sc Botany are plentiful. One can work in drug companies, nurseries, biotechnology firms, food industry, nature conservancy, forest service, research institutes and museums. The student can work as a botanist, research associate, medical coder, plant explorer, plant biochemist, to name a few. One can also clear national or state eligibility tests to become assistant professors and fellow researchers in government science institutes.