Plant Biology at North Carolina State University

The Department of Plant Biology is one of 5 biology departments within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at NC State University. The department offers undergraduate and graduate degrees and courses in fundamental plant biology and, along with the departments of Biochemistry, Genetics, Microbiology, and Zoology, supports the interdepartmental biological sciences undergraduate major. The department also has strong academic and research ties with agricultural departments including Crop Science, Horticultural Science, and Plant Pathology, as well as with the interdepartmental Biotechnology Teaching Program. The department supports a Herbarium, a Cell and Molecular Imaging Facility, and an Environmental Plant Growth Facility.

Faculty Research

The faculty members within the department teach and conduct research in a broad array of plant biology disciplines. Within the molecular and cellular area, we provide research and educational opportunities in transgenic plants and transgene expression, gene silencing, gene regulation, plant genomics, plant cell biology and cell imaging, intercellular signaling, gravitational biology, plant development, plant-microbe interactions, and plant metabolism. Our ecology/biodiversity programs include studies on the toxic dinoflagellates, aquatic ecology, wetlands biology, plant community ecology, physiological ecology, paleobotany, and plant systematics and evolution. Our faculty work with model organisms, with plants in natural ecosystems, and with agriculturally important crop plants. Additional information can be found through our research and graduate programs pages.

Teaching

Our departmental teaching philosophy underscores our commitment to a student-centered education, the interdependence of research and teaching, and a dedication to extending our educational mission beyond the borders of the department to a diverse audience of learners. Our students have extensive opportunities for interdisciplinary education through our participation in interdisciplinary training grants and programs, which allow students to design an interdisciplinary course of study and to conduct research that calls on the expertise and labs of faculty in multiple departments.

Award-winning department

We are an internationally recognized department with faculty that have won numerous awards for teaching and scholarly excellence. Our graduates have gone on to distinguish themselves in the discipline and to hold positions in academia, government, large and small industry, and environmental and public service organizations, to name just a few.