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Ethnobotany is a branch of Botany that studies the interrelation between humans and plants. MSc in Ethnobotany is a 1-2 year postgraduate course that provides students with the knowledge of the role of plants in human culture and practises. Let’s explore MSc Ethnobotany, its syllabus, eligibility, admission process and scope after graduation.
| Full form | Master of Science in Ethnobotany |
| Duration | 1-2 years |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree in Botany, Biology, Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Geography, etc. |
| Further Study Options | PhD in Ethnobotany |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 3-6 Lakhs (India) |
This Blog Includes:
About MSc Ethnobotany
Master of Science in Ethnobotany is a 1-2 year multidisciplinary postgraduate course. Ethnobotany is the study of a region’s plant life and the role of plants in human culture and practices. It studies how humans use and modify plants, and how they represent them in their systems of knowledge. As botany is the study of plants, ethnobotany is the study of the use of plants and their ecology in the context of their cultural, social and economic significance. It involves learning about plant classification, cultivation, and use as food, medicine and shelter as well as the impact the human population have had on plants, leading to loss of plant species. A masters in ethnobotany allows you to travel the world, work with indigenous cultures and conduct ongoing research. Pursuing a masters would allow students to work in research projects related to botany, develop new medicines with pharmaceutical companies or take up an academic approach and teach ethnobotany in universities.
Subjects Under MSc Ethnobotany
The MSc Ethnobotany is a multidisciplinary course that includes the study of botany, mycology, taxonomy, anthropology, ethnography, archaeology, comparative folklore, religious studies, medicine, chemistry, pharmacology, and more. Subjects & syllabus differ depending on the university, specialisation and other factors. Here are some of the common subjects you may study in MSc Ethnobotany:
- Practical Methods in Conservation Social Science
- Botanical Foundations of Ethnobotany
- Anthropological Research Methods
- Environmental Anthropology
- Ethnobiological Knowledge Systems
- Plant Resources and their Conservation
- International Wildlife Trade – Achieving Sustainability
- Advanced Topics in Anthropology
- Holism, Health and Healing
Top Universities Offering MSc Ethnobotany
Few universities offer an MSc program solely in ethnobotany. However, students can pursue an MSc degree in general botany, anthropology, sociology, molecular biology, pharmacology, and biology or related fields to pursue their career as an ethnobotanist. Here’s a list of the top 20 universities in the world by the subject of biological sciences:
| University | Location |
| Harvard University | Cambridge, USA |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Cambridge, USA |
| University of Cambridge | Cambridge, UK |
| Stanford University | Stanford, USA |
| University of Oxford | Oxford, UK |
| University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | Berkeley, USA |
| ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology | Zürich, Switzerland |
| Yale University | New Haven, USA |
| University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | Los Angeles, USA |
| University of California, San Diego (UCSD) | San Diego, USA |
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | Pasadena, USA |
| Cornell University | Ithaca, USA |
| Imperial College London | London, UK |
| University of California, San Francisco | San Francisco, USA |
| UCL | London, UK |
| University of Toronto | Toronto, Canada |
| National University of Singapore (NUS) | Singapore |
| The University of Tokyo | Tokyo, Japan |
| Columbia University | New York City, USA |
| The University of Edinburgh | Edinburgh, UK |
Eligibility Criteria for MSc Ethnobotany
To be eligible for Msc Ethnobotany, the following are generally the requirements:
- Students must have passed class 12th in science stream with Biology, Chemistry and Physics from a recognized board. Minimum marks to enter the program are specified by the university.
- A bachelor’s degree, honours or otherwise, in relevant subjects such as anthropology, botany, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, geography, etc. Minimum GPA specified by the university.
- Relevant experience such as internships or part-time jobs may be taken into consideration.
- If you are planning to study abroad, you have to give English language proficiency tests like IELTS/ TOEFL/ PTE and clear the minimum score requirement specified by the chosen university.
If you need help with applying for an MSc Ethnobotany program, you can contact Leverage Edu for end-to-end counselling.
Documents Checklist
Following documents are required while applying for Msc Ethnobotany:
- Completely filled application form
- A personal statement explaining why you are suitable for the course
- Copy of bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Copy of IELTS test scores
- Self-attested X & XII mark sheet and certificates
- 2 references, if applicable
- Passport/Identification Card
- Resume
- Letter of Recommendation
- Proof of funds
Scope After MSc Ethnobotany
After completing MSc in Ethnobotany, you can work in a variety of fields such as
- Anthropology
- Areas related to the conservation of biological and cultural diversity
- Natural health care businesses and practises
- Research and development companies
- Botanical gardens
- Teach at universities
- Government agencies
- Pharmaceutical companies to develop new medicines.
You can also choose to pursue PhD in Ethnobotanical research, which will help your career prospects.
Average Salary
The average annual salary of an Ethnobotanist in India is Rs. 3-6 Lakhs. Whereas the average annual salary of Ethnobotanists in the USA is around USD 73,000 (INR 54.54 Lakhs).
MSc Ethnobotany can open doors to an array of opportunities across sectors. If you want to attain overseas education in this field but are not sure at which university to study then take the assistance of Leverage Edu experts. Call us at 1800572000 to book your FREE 30-minutes counselling session today!
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