Botany credentials demonstrate earners' understanding of plant structure, function, and classification as well as how plants are impacted by humans and how humans can use plants and plant products. Entry-level botanists must have earned at least a bachelor’s degree. Higher-level botany professionals generally require a higher degree, such as a master’s degree or Ph.D. Educational institutions higher botanists as teachers or researchers and their assistants. Botanists may specialize in plant anatomy, biochemistry, biophysics, cytology, ecology, genetics, molecular biology, morphology, paleobotany, plant physiology, systematic, systems ecology, or taxonomy. They may also work in fields such as agronomy, biotechnology, plant breeding, economic botany, food science and technology, forestry, horticulture, natural resource management, and plant pathology. Botanists may also specialize in the type of organism they study. Specifically, this badge demonstrates the earner's ability to explain the structure, function, and processes associated with DNA and plant genetics, explain the various methods used in plant breeding and propagation including the use and purposes of related biotechnologies, and discuss the major theories, evidence, and concepts associated with evolution.
