Monash University

Bachelor of Science (Plant Sciences)

Plant science is the study of plants, their diversity and structure, and how they function. It involves studying plants living on land, in the sea and in freshwater environments, from the scale of genes and molecules to ecology. In this major you will investigate how plants function, how they obtain water and nutrients, and how they use energy from sunlight to produce carbohydrates by photosynthesis. You will also study how plants adapt to particular environments, and the factors that influence the distribution and diversity of plant species, and the plant communities in which they grow.

This is particularly important for understanding the impact of human activities – including global climate change – on plant communities, so that we can provide better management in the future. In Plant sciences you will investigate how plants function and study the diversity of plant groups, from algae and mosses through to gymnosperms and angiosperms. In learning how plants are adapted to particular environments, you will study the exciting biology and ecology of terrestrial and aquatic plants and plant communities in their natural environment. Learning about the factors that influence the distribution and diversity of plant species, and the plant communities in which they grow, is particularly important in understanding the impact of human activities – including global climate change – on plant communities, so that we can provide better management into the future.

You can complement these studies with electives that expand your knowledge of ecological management, the biology and ecology of aquatic organisms, or plant biotechnology, to take a few examples. As a graduate with a major in Plant sciences you will be equipped to seek a career in environmental management and consulting, biotechnology, a range of careers in government departments (for example, related to environmental issues, park management, primary industry and sustainability), crop science, research and teaching.