Claremont Graduate University's Botany Department

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden is home to the Botany Department of Claremont Graduate University (CGU).

The graduate program in botany emphasizes systematics and the evolution of higher plants. Sub-disciplines include monographic and revisionary studies, population and conservation genetics, molecular systematics, phylogenetics, plant anatomy, floristics, comparative morphology, biogeography and reproductive biology. Thesis work leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree may be carried out in any of these fields. The program is research intensive with a strong fieldwork component. Considerable interaction takes place between students and faculty.

Additionally, a seminar series addressing topics of systematic and evolutionary botany is offered routinely during each semester. This series draws attendees not only from our student body, but also from plant science researchers, faculty and students at nearby colleges and universities.

The CGU Botany Department is unique in that it is located within one of Southern California's premier gardens—Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden—86 acres dedicated to the conservation of the state's flora, to the display of native plants for visitors and to research and graduate education. Graduate classes and laboratories, faculty and student offices, and all research facilities used by students are located at RSABG, in close proximity to the CGU campus. The program benefits from the Claremont University Consortium (CUC), through which botany graduate students may take courses at any of the undergraduate Claremont Colleges or from any of the other graduate programs that are part of CGU.

The CGU Botany Department at RSABG prepares its graduates to compete with top-caliber graduates in the field. The graduate student population is small, usually 10–15, and competition for existing positions is keen. Requirements for admission are rigorous and prospective students must have a strong academic record, excellent references and demonstrate a commitment to botanical research. Prospective students are encouraged to study admission requirements and to contact faculty whose research interests parallel their own.

Inquiries may be directed to individual faculty members or to Linda Worlow (botany@cgu.edu), botany program coordinator.

For application and admission information, please refer to "Prospective Students" on the CGU website. For degree requirements and other institutional policies, see the "Degree Regulations" section of the CGU Bulletin.