Applied Systematics in Botany Overview

Plant systematics and taxonomy have found important practical applications in both the private and public sectors of the economy as problems related to the conservation of endangered plants, the control of invasive plants, and habitat restoration with native plants become societal concerns. Industry, private environmental consulting firms, and government agencies have an increasing need for individuals with expertise in plant identification and experience in survey techniques. At the same time, the nature of the issues involved in this work places a premium on individuals who possess, in addition to technical expertise, skills in communication (in a range of venues), an understanding of business processes and concerns, and sensitivity to the complex ethical issues that may arise in this area.

The Professional Science Master's Degree Program in Applied Systematics offered by the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Oregon State University (OSU) is designed to provide individuals with both advanced technical expertise in plant systematics and taxonomy and the more general practical skills required to function effectively in either private or public organizations requiring this technical expertise. This program leads to an M.S. in Botany and Plant Pathology with a transcript-visible Area of Concentration in Applied Systematics. This is an internship-based graduate degree that emphasizes practical experience as well as advanced academic training in plant systematics. A 3- to 6-month internship experience is required in-lieu of a thesis. In addition to intensive work in the systematics and taxonomy of vascular and non-vascular plants and the fungi, the degree curriculum includes training in business, communication, and ethics.

The Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at OSU offers an ideal environment in which to pursue graduate study in plant systematics. The Department is home to the OSU Herbarium, which is the central university facility for research, instruction, and public service in plant identification and classification. The Herbarium's modern facilities house a plant collection of over 330,000 specimens and a mycological collection that exceeds 70,000 specimens. These collections are among the largest in the Pacific Northwest, and they constitute a major regional, national, and international resource for basic and applied work in plant and fungal systematics. The faculty associated with the Herbarium and the Applied Systematics Program [Dr. Aaron Liston, Dr. Richard Halse, Dr. Bruce McCune, Dr. Joseph Spatafora, and Dr. Robert Meinke (Courtesy)] represent a spectrum of nationally and internationally recognized expertise in the systematics of vascular plants, non-vascular plants, fungi, and lichens. This expertise, combined with campus-wide strength in the related areas of ecology and statistical analysis, provides students entering the Applied Systematics Program with an exceptional opportunity to obtain the state-of-the-art technical skills needed to pursue a successful career in environmental plant biology.