Botany

Botany, including the terms plant biology, plant sciences, and phytology, is the scientific study of plants (generally defined as multicellular photosynthetic organisms with walled cells) embracing the structure, development, reproduction, physiology, metabolism, genetics, ecology, distribution, classification, evolution, diseases, and the economic importance of plants. Historically, the university subject has included algae, photosynthetic bacteria, and fungi as these were usually taught in the same degree programs as those on land plants. This entry examines the decline of botany as an academic subject and department in universities, the teaching of botany, and job opportunities for trained botanists.

The Decline in Botany in Universities

Until the last quarter of the 20th century, most universities across the world had a botany department with botany an integral component of biology degrees ...

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