2026-2028 Catalog
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BOT Courses

BOT 1121 General Botany (4 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
2026-28 or later catalog: GE Area 5B
2026-28 or later catalog: GE Area 5C
2020-26 catalogs: GE Area B2
2020-26 catalogs: GE Area B3

The anatomy, morphology, physiology, reproduction, diversity, and importance of plants. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Fulfills GE Areas 5B and 5C (GE Areas B2 and B3 for students on the 2020-26 catalogs). Formerly BOT 121.
BOT 3311 Plants, People and Civilization (4 units)
Term Typically Offered: F
2026-28 or later: Upper-Div GE Area 2/5
2020-26 catalogs: Upper-Div GE Area B

Prerequisite: Junior standing; completion of GE Area 1 with grades of C- or better (GE Area A for the 2020-26 catalogs); completion of GE Area 2 with a grade of C- or better (GE Area B4 for the 2020-26 catalogs); and one of the following: BIO 114, BIO 150, BIO 162, BIO 1114, BIO 1150, BIO 1151, BOT 121, or BOT 1121.

Human uses of plants for food, beverage, medicine, fiber, recreation, and rituals. Uses of plants by different cultures throughout the world and the social, economical, and environmental importance of plants in our lives. Field trip required. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Fulfills GE Areas Upper-Division 2 or Upper-Division 5 (GE Area Upper-Division B for students on the 2020-26 catalogs). Formerly BIO 311.
BOT 3313 Plant Taxonomy (4 units)
Term Typically Offered: SP
Prerequisite: One of the following: BIO 114, BIO 150, BIO 1114, BIO 1150, BOT 121, or BOT 1121.

Introduction to the classification, evolution, and identification of plants, emphasizing major plant families. Field and herbarium techniques. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly BOT 313.
BOT 3326 Plant Ecology (4 units)
Term Typically Offered: F
Prerequisite: One of the following: BIO 114, BIO 150, BIO 211, BIO 1114, BIO 1150, BIO 3210, BOT 121, or BOT 1121. Recommended: BIO 263 or BIO 2253; and STAT 218 or STAT 1110.

Plant function, population dynamics, community assembly, and effects of the following environmental factors on plant growth and development: soil, water, temperature, light, atmosphere, topography, organisms, and fire. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Field trip required. Formerly BOT 326.
BOT 4433 Field Botany: California Plant Diversity (4 units)
Term Typically Offered: SP
Prerequisite: BOT 313 or BOT 3313, or graduate standing in Biological Sciences.

Field studies of California's diverse vegetation. Identification of plants and plant communities in the field. Factors affecting distribution and ecological relationships. California geography, geology, and evolution of California flora. Many one day field labs and multiple weekend trips to California's deserts and mountains. Field trip required. 2 lectures, 2 laboratories. Formerly BOT 433.