Guide to the North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Plant Biology Records, 1948 - 1983

Collection Number UA 100.015

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Collection Information
Abstract:

These records contain correspondence, reports, research projects, and a study manual pertaining to the North Carolina State University Department of Plant Biology and its research. Also included is a comprehensive review of faculty research projects and an informal history of the department.

Botanical work at North Carolina State began in concert with the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, which was established in the 1870s and later became part of the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (later North Carolina State University). The first courses were offered at the college in 1889. Botany appears to have been a part of biology instruction until approximately 1912, when the two disciplines were separated. In 1945, a Plant Pathology section was created within the School of Agriculture, resulting in a new Department of Botany and Plant Pathology. With the creation of the Division of Biological Sciences in 1950, the two sections were split, creating two separate departments. Both operated under the administration of the Division of Biological Sciences. The division was abolished in 1958, and the Department of Botany and Bacteriology was established from those two curricula. In 1962 the Institute of Biological Sciences (IBS) was created, with Botany becoming one of five departments under its aegis. The IBS was dissolved in 1971. In the meantime, in 1966 the bacteriology program was split off from Botany, becoming the Department of Microbiology. In 2006 the Department of Botany changed its name to Plant Biology.

Contact Information:
Processed by
Pat Webber
Date Completed
November 2003
Encoded by
Pat Webber

Descriptive Summary

Creator

North Carolina State University. Dept. of Botany

Title

North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Plant Biology Records, 1948 - 1983

Call Number

UA 100.015

Extent

2 archival boxes , 1 linear foot

Location

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Special Collections Research Center Reference Staff.

Information for Users

Restrictions to Access

This collection is open for research; access requires at least 24 hours advance notice.
Acquisitions Information

Transferred from the North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Consult University Archivist for additional information.
Preferred Citation

[Identification of Item], North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Plant Biology Records, UA 100.015, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, North Carolina.
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Historical Note


Botanical work at N.C. State began in concert with the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, which was established in the 1870s and later became part of the college. Since the first courses were offered at the college in 1889, there have been courses in botany. At first, they were part of the biological sciences training. By 1902, there were enough classes taught to hire Frank L. Stevens as the first head of botanical instruction. Botany appears to have been a part of biology instruction until approximately 1912, when the two disciplines were separated. Academic instruction and research in botany continued to grow within the overall agriculture curriculum throughout the next few decades.

In 1945, a Plant Pathology section was created within the School of Agriculture, resulting in a new Department of Botany and Plant Pathology. With the creation of the Division of Biological Sciences in 1950, the two sections were split, creating two separate departments. Both operated under the administration of the Division of Biological Sciences. The division was abolished in 1958, and the Department of Botany and Bacteriology was established from those two curricula. In 1962 the Institute of Biological Sciences (IBS) was created, with Botany becoming one of five departments under its aegis. The IBS was created to better coordinate and promote research and education in the biological sciences, and it lasted until being dissolved in 1971. In the meantime, in 1966 the bacteriology program was split off from Botany, becoming the Department of Microbiology. In 2006 the Department of Botany changed its name to Plant Biology.

Department Heads

1950 - 1963 Herbert T. Scofield
1963 - 1964 Ernest O. Beal, Acting Head
1964 - 1977 Glen R. Noggle
1977 - 1985 Jerome P. Miksche
1985 - 1995 E. D. Seneca
1995 - 1999 Eric Davies
1999 - present Margaret Daub

Scope and Content Note


The collection consists of records describing the administrative function of and research projects undertaken by the North Carolina State University Department of Plant Biology. In addition, there are also items regarding departmental seminars, reviews, a study guide, and a history of the department written by L. A. (Larry Alston) Whitford in 1970. The collection is arranged in two series, Administrative Records and Research and Development. The Administrative Records series contains correspondence, course material, and departmental review items. The Research and Development series contains project proposals and reports concerning research in botany. Most of the projects contained in the latter series were federally sponsored by such agencies as NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Online Catalog Headings

Corporate Entities

  • North Carolina State University. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences--History.
  • North Carolina State University. Dept. of Botany--History.

Topics

  • Botany--Study and teaching--North Carolina.

Related Materials

[HTML] North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Records, UA 100
[HTML] North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Annual Reports, UA 100.002
[HTML] North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Deparment of Microbiology Records, UA 100.023
[HTML] Arnold Krochmal Papers, MC 64
[HTML] Bertram Whittier Wells Papers, MC 73
[HTML] Larry Alston Whitford Papers, MC 107
[HTML] Benjamin Warfield Smith Papers, MC 135
[HTML] James R. Troyer Collection on North Carolina Botanists, MC 335

Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Administrative Records, 1949 - 1983


    1 box, 0.5 linear feet

    Contains correspondence, brochures, seminar information, departmental reviews, and a history of Botany at N.C. State written by L. A. Whitford. The records are arranged alphabetically.

    • Botany Seminar, 1966 [UA 100.015 Box 1, Folder 1]
    • Brochures, 1969 - 1979 [UA 100.015 Box 1, Folder 2]
    • Cell Biology class, undated [UA 100.015 Box 1, Folder 3]
    • Comprehensive Review, Botany Department, 1978 [UA 100.015 Box 1, Folder 4]
    • Correspondence, 1949 - 1950 [UA 100.015 Box 1, Folder 5]
    • Correspondence, 1962 - 1964 [UA 100.015 Box 1, Folder 6]
    • Courses in Botany and Bacteriology, 1962 [UA 100.015 Box 1, Folder 7]
    • Evaluation of the Botany Research Program, undated [UA 100.015 Box 1, Folder 8]
    • "A History of the Botany Department," by L. A. Whitford, 1970 [UA 100.015 Box 1, Folder 9]
    • "Investigations into Plant Life: A Study Guide for General Botany using the Audio-Tutorial Discovery Approach," by James R. Troyer and Charles E. Anderson, 1983 [UA 100.015 Box 1, Folder 10]
    • "The Present Position of Botany: A Preliminary Overview," 1967 [UA 100.015 Box 1, Folder 11]
    • Proposed Program, Biological Sciences, 1962 [UA 100.015 Box 1, Folder 12]
    • "Reflections from the Botany Staff at NCSU and Projections to Botany at NCSU at Raleigh," 1963 [UA 100.015 Box 1, Folder 13]
    • Research and Educational Program in Bacteriology, 1962 [UA 100.015 Box 1, Folder 14]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]

  • Research and Development, 1949 - 1964


    1 records storage box, 0.5 linear feet

    Contains correspondence, proposals, research results, travel files, and general information on a variety of research projects conducted within the department and with the Agricultural Experiment Station. The records are arranged alphabetically by granting agency.

    • Atomic Energy Commission, Contract No. AT-(40-1)-1070, 1950 - 1953 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 1]
    • National Academy of Sciences, Correspondence, 1962 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 2]
    • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Bio-Satellite Project, 1963 - 1964 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 3]
    • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Proposal for support of Research Entitled "Mechanism of the Diauxie Phenomenon," by Walter Dobrogosz, 1962 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 4]
    • National Defense Education Act (NDEA), Fellowships for Bacteriology Programs, 1959 - 1962 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 5]
    • National Defense Education Act (NDEA), Proposal for an Expanded Program in the Fields of Ecology - Taxonomy, 1959 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 6]
    • National Science Foundation (NSF), Plant Physiology Research by Harold Evans, 1956 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 7]
    • National Science Foundation (NSF), Proposal for Support of Research Entitled "Investigations on the Growth in Vitro of the Shoot Apex of Certain Seed Plants," by Ernest Ball, 1957 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 8]
    • National Science Foundation (NSF), Proposal B 9278, "Metabolic Pathways in the Microcci," by James B. Evans, 1960 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 9]
    • National Science Foundation (NSF), Proposal G 15669, "Undergraduate Research Participation Program" by Ernest Beal, 1961 - 1962 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 10]
    • National Science Foundation (NSF), Proposal seeking Funds for Cooperative College -School Science Program, for Summer School, by W.A. Reid, 1962 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 11]
    • National Science Foundation (NSF), Request for Equipment for Undergraduate Instruction, by Clyde Smith, 1962 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 12]
    • National Science Foundation (NSF), Proposal for Support of Research entitled "A time-Lapse Study of the Growth and Division of Isolated parenchyma Cells of Certain Gymnosperms and Angiosperms," by Ernest Ball, 1962 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 13]
    • National Science Foundation (NSF), Proposal G 22768, "Undergraduate Science Education Program," by Ernest Beal, 1962 - 1964 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 14]
    • Office of Naval Research (ONR), NR 110-757, "Permeability of Certain Epidermal Membranes to Gaseous Carbon Dioxide," by Donald Anderson, 1949 - 1953 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 15]
    • Office of Naval Research (ONR), NONR-486(09), "Vascular Plant Zonation in North Carolina Salt-Marshes," by Ernest Beal, 1960 - 1962 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 16]
    • Public Health Service (PHS), Research Grant "The Biochemical Role of Univalent Cations," by Harold J. Evans, 1958 - 1961 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 17]
    • Public Health Service (PHS), National Institutes of health-Application for H Research Facilities Grant, 1961 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 18]
    • Public Health Service (PHS), "An Application to the Division of Water Supply and Pollution control for a Training Grant in Aquatic Ecology" by James B. Evans, 1962 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 19]
    • Public Health Service (PHS), National Institutes of Health - Application for Research Grant Support, "Mechanism of the Diauxie Phenomenon," by Walter Dobrogosz, 1962, [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 20]
    • State Fund, Project No. S-91, "The Biochemical Role of Univalent Cations," by Harold J. Evans, 1959 - 1960 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 21]
    • State Fund, Project No. S-249, "Studies in the Ecology of Fresh Water Algae in North Carolina" by L. A. Whitford, 1961 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 22]
    • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Hatch-36, "A study of the cytochrome system of higher plants in relation to iron requirements and factors affecting iron metabolism," by Harold J. Evans, 1954 - 1960 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 23]
    • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Hatch-177, "Studies on the cytochrome and related respiratory systems in higher plants," by Harold J. Evans, 1959 - 1961 [UA 100.015 Box 2, Folder 24]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]