Plant Physiologist: What makes plants work?
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Plant Physiologists research vital functions, on a cellular level, in plants such as growth, nutrition, respiration, and reproduction that are essential to the life of the plant or its uses. This includes work on the internal processes such as assimilation, photosynthesis, translocation, or transpiration that are involved in vital functions; or on the effects of one or more environmental factors such as humidity, water, light, mineral nutrients, and temperature have on these functions and processes (AC People, 2013).
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Education
To be a plant physiologist you need to understand botany, chemistry, biology, and mathematics. You must know how to write and communicate well. Plant physiologists need to know about enzymology, meteorology, horticulture, economics, philosophy and the human condition, politics, history, and how to teach. Plant physiologists must be willing to relocate and must continue their education.
In high school, take mathematics, chemistry, biology, and botany. Develop strong writing and communication skills. Be persistent, inquisitive, and eager to learn, discuss, and accept new ideas. Try working part time in a laboratory to get some experience prior to applying full time (USDA Living Science, no date).
A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for a career in plant physiology, and will open doors to jobs as technical assistants in education, industry, government, museums, parks and botanical gardens.
Most major universities have biology departments and courses in botany. Advanced degrees can mean more opportunity, especially at the university research and teaching level, where a PhD is required for most positions (CFNC.org, 2011)
To be a plant physiologist you need to understand botany, chemistry, biology, and mathematics. You must know how to write and communicate well. Plant physiologists need to know about enzymology, meteorology, horticulture, economics, philosophy and the human condition, politics, history, and how to teach. Plant physiologists must be willing to relocate and must continue their education.
In high school, take mathematics, chemistry, biology, and botany. Develop strong writing and communication skills. Be persistent, inquisitive, and eager to learn, discuss, and accept new ideas. Try working part time in a laboratory to get some experience prior to applying full time (USDA Living Science, no date).
A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for a career in plant physiology, and will open doors to jobs as technical assistants in education, industry, government, museums, parks and botanical gardens.
Most major universities have biology departments and courses in botany. Advanced degrees can mean more opportunity, especially at the university research and teaching level, where a PhD is required for most positions (CFNC.org, 2011)
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Working conditions
Probably because plant physiology is a basic science, most plant physiologists work in academic institutions where they both teach and conduct research. Some are employed by federal and state agencies. A few work full-time for, or as consultants to, industrial and other organizations that have agricultural or related biological interests (USDA Living Science, no date).
Probably because plant physiology is a basic science, most plant physiologists work in academic institutions where they both teach and conduct research. Some are employed by federal and state agencies. A few work full-time for, or as consultants to, industrial and other organizations that have agricultural or related biological interests (USDA Living Science, no date).
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Salary and Job Prospects
Several states in the USA pay high salaries for plant physiologists. Maryland employers topped the BLS list, paying annual mean wages of $88,540. Plant scientists in West Virginia were the second-highest paid in the country, earning $82,730. Employers in Connecticut paid the third-highest salaries at the time of the BLS study, at $77,140. Both Mississippi, paying $74,470 and California, paying $72,050, also paid above-average salaries. California was also the country's second largest per-capita employer of plant physiologists which paid them annual mean wages of $66,190 -- higher than the median, but not high enough to make the BLS top five. Plant physiologists working for the federal executive branch were the second-highest paid in their profession, receiving salaries of $77,510. The largest employer of plant physiologists, scientific research and development services has annual mean wages of $69,140. Wages in Canada are slightly lower than in the USA. (UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR, 2013).
Several states in the USA pay high salaries for plant physiologists. Maryland employers topped the BLS list, paying annual mean wages of $88,540. Plant scientists in West Virginia were the second-highest paid in the country, earning $82,730. Employers in Connecticut paid the third-highest salaries at the time of the BLS study, at $77,140. Both Mississippi, paying $74,470 and California, paying $72,050, also paid above-average salaries. California was also the country's second largest per-capita employer of plant physiologists which paid them annual mean wages of $66,190 -- higher than the median, but not high enough to make the BLS top five. Plant physiologists working for the federal executive branch were the second-highest paid in their profession, receiving salaries of $77,510. The largest employer of plant physiologists, scientific research and development services has annual mean wages of $69,140. Wages in Canada are slightly lower than in the USA. (UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR, 2013).
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Connection to Course
This profession involves the research of factors affecting a plants metabolism which is a direct correlation to the material covered in photosynthesis as well as the gizmo. For instance, plant physiologists need a very thorough understanding of biology overall, which includes metabolic processes, in order to understand how plants work and how to affect numerous processes the plant and plant cells undergo in both a negative and positive way. This understanding is the key to success in this profession.
This profession involves the research of factors affecting a plants metabolism which is a direct correlation to the material covered in photosynthesis as well as the gizmo. For instance, plant physiologists need a very thorough understanding of biology overall, which includes metabolic processes, in order to understand how plants work and how to affect numerous processes the plant and plant cells undergo in both a negative and positive way. This understanding is the key to success in this profession.
References
AC People. (2013). Plant Physiology Job Description. Retrieved November 1, 2013, from AC People.com.au: http://www.acpeople.com.au/cat/Plant-Physiology_435.htm
CFNC.org. (2011). Plant Physiologist; What to Learn. Retrieved November 2, 2013, from CFNC.org: https://www1.cfnc.org/Plan/For_A_Career/Career_Profile/Career_Profile.aspx? id=4bwd5sW9PGwAaMLjDHUCMQXAP3DPAXXAP3DPAX&screen=4
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR. (2013, March 29). Occupational Employment Statistics. Retrieved November 2, 2013, from Bureau of Labour Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes191013.htm
USDA Living Science. (no date). Plant Physiologist. Retrieved November 2, 2013, from USDA Living Science: http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/usda/careers/plantphysiologist.html
CFNC.org. (2011). Plant Physiologist; What to Learn. Retrieved November 2, 2013, from CFNC.org: https://www1.cfnc.org/Plan/For_A_Career/Career_Profile/Career_Profile.aspx? id=4bwd5sW9PGwAaMLjDHUCMQXAP3DPAXXAP3DPAX&screen=4
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR. (2013, March 29). Occupational Employment Statistics. Retrieved November 2, 2013, from Bureau of Labour Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes191013.htm
USDA Living Science. (no date). Plant Physiologist. Retrieved November 2, 2013, from USDA Living Science: http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/usda/careers/plantphysiologist.html