Introduction
Botany is the scientific study of plants “Plants” to most people, means a wide range of living organisms from the smallest bacteria to the largest of living things – the giant sequoia trees. By this definition plants include: algae, fungi, lichens, mosses, ferns, conifers and flowering plants. Today scientist believe bacteria, algae and fungi are in their own distinct kingdoms, but most general botany courses and most Botany departments at colleges and universities, still teach about these groups.
Because the field is so broad, there are many kinds of plant biologists and many different career and study opportunities available. Botanists interested in ecology study interactions of plants with other organisms and the environment. Other field botanists search to find new species or do experiments to discover how plants grow under different conditions. Some botanists study the structure of plants . They may work in the field, concentrating on the pattern of the whole plant. Others use microscopes to study the most detailed fine structure of individual cells. Many botanists do experiments to determine how plants convert simple chemical compounds into more complex chemicals. They may even study how genetic information in DNA controls plant development. Botanists study processes that occur on a time scale ranging from fractions of a second in individual cells to those that unfold over eons of evolutionary time.

Course Highlights
Plants play a vital role in our daily lives. Directly or indirectly they provide us with food, fibre and shelter and the oxygen we need to breathe is only produced by plants, algae and cyanobacteria. We power our motor vechiles and electricity supply with fossil fuels that were once marine algae or ancient forests.
Botany, also known as planet science, is the study of plants and their interactions with other orgamisms and the environment, this includes ecological restoration and conservation. As well as studying species that are familiar to gardeners, orchardists and farmers some botanists study lower plants, marine and fresh water algae, cyanobacteria and fungi.
Plant form and colour have inspired both art and architecture and important innovations from steel reinforced concrete to Velcro are often copied from planet structures.

Course Outline
Areas of specialization in Botany, Organismal specialization in Botany, Applied Botanical/Plant Sciences:
The results of botanical research increase and improve our supply of medicines, foods, fibers, building materials and other plant products. Conservationists use botanical knowledge to help manage parks, forests, rangelands, and wilderness areas. Public health and environment protection professionals depend on their understanding of plant science to help solve pollution problem.