Environmental and Plant Biology

The HTC program in Environmental and Plant Biology provides the talented and highly motivated student an opportunity to study Plant Biology, Environmental Biology or Cell and Molecular Biology at an accelerated rate. The program is recommended for the student interested in an independent and flexible environment, one designed to meet individual interests and needs. Opportunities for in-depth investigation of contemporary approaches to molecular, organismal, and environmental analyses provide a stimulating preparation for graduate study and career development. These cover a broad range, from teaching and research in schools and universities through research and development in a commercial environment to ecological work with federal and state agencies or private organizations.

Tutorial Curriculum

All of the beginning curricula within the Environmental and Plant Biology Tutorial Program are likely to have a common base, with variations in content and emphasis coming in the more advanced tutorials, which are designed to suit the individual student. A typical schedule is outlined below. Requirements outside Plant Biology are, for the most part, identified by course number. Students who wish to take alternate courses to satisfy the requirements may substitute, for example, a different organic chemistry or physics sequence for those listed. Tutorial students are expected to acquire proficiency in fundamental areas of Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and Biological Sciences; conventional courses meet the department's outside requirements in those fields.

Honors Tutorial College students must fulfill the Ohio University English Composition requirements but are otherwise exempt from General Education requirements. Tutorial students may take non-major courses in addition to their major requirements, if they wish to pursue other interests while completing their undergraduate degree program.

Advanced Tutorials

In the second and later years, individually designed tutorials cover more specific aspects of Plant Biology, Environmental Biology, or Cell and Molecular Biology. These tutorials, which cover in depth some selected aspects of a chosen area, may take the form of laboratory or field projects as well as the discussion format. Areas available include the morphology of vascular and non-vascular plants, systematics, including molecular systematics, ecology, physiology, cell biology and biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics, population genetics and evolution. In addition, students may acquire a broad perspective of these areas by attending undergraduate or graduate classes offered by the Environmental and Plant Biology Department.

There is sufficient time in the program for students to widen their experience by taking outside courses, e.g., biochemistry, economics, geography, geology, biological sciences, which the tutor and student may feel useful in achieving a particular goal. Students may also avail themselves of the many study abroad opportunities at Ohio University. Three students from this department have each spent a year as exchange students at the University of Wales. Since its introduction in 2000, students have also participated in the Global Studies in Plant Biology program in which faculty have led expeditions to Bolivia, Hawaii, New Zealand, Thailand, and Brazil.

Grading and Evaluation

Letter grades will be assigned for each tutorial class based on evaluation by the tutor of the student’s performance. Performance will be measured in terms of the level of initiative (participation, commitment, enthusiasm) shown and productivity (quality and quantity) in both written and practical work appropriate to specific tutorials.

Further Information

For further information about this program, call or write:
Dr. Harvey Ballard
Director of Studies
Department of Environmental and Plant Biology
406 Porter Hall
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
(740) 593-4659
ballardh@ohio.edu

Additional information can be found online at http://www.plantbio.ohiou.edu/.