College Courses

The Morton Arboretum allows you to pursue academic knowledge in a world-renowned scientific institution.

Members:  Arboretum members must present their Membership Card at the entry gate with each visit.

ACCA College Botany Classes

College credit is available through 12 Chicago area colleges and universities for a variety of botany courses offered throughout the year at The Morton Arboretum. The courses are arranged under the auspices of the Chicago Region Cooperative College Botany Program (ACCA). Please contact your school registrar for specific registration information.

For more information on ACCA programs or course schedules, please contact Megan Dunning, Head of Education, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 630-725-2101.

2010 Fall Class: Introduction to Soil Science

Details to be announced. Check back soon!

2010 Summer Class: Landscape Botany

Ever walk down the street and wondered what plants were growing around you? Learn to identify the native and non-native herbaceous plant species that are suitable for gardens and landscapes of northern Illinois. Study the principles of plant classification and gain first-hand experience in techniques of plant identification, collection, and preservation while exploring the diverse plantings of The Morton Arboretum grounds. Gain knowledge of the ecology, growing conditions, maintenance requirements, and landscape uses of each species, and make your own dried plant collection using herbarium techniques. Discuss issues involving the impact of landscape plants on our environment and our lives. Attend a Saturday field trip to local businesses that develop and propagate landscape plants.

Prerequisite: General Biology, and ONE of the following options: Botany, Ecology, Physiology, Genetics or Evolution
Credit: 4 semester hours (or equivalent), undergraduate
Dates: June 7 - July 28, 2010
Day/Time: Monday and Wednesday evenings, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm.
One Saturday field trip in July (TBD) possibly to the The Natural Garden in St. Charles, Ball Horticulture Garden in West Chicago, and the Green Earth Institute in Naperville.
Meeting Place: The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL.  60532
Instructor: Jaime Weber
Office hours:  by appointment.
Textbook:  No textbook is required for this class.  A variety of references and field guides will be recommended during class.
Registration: Students can register through the Biology Department of the A.C.C.A. member schools where they wish to receive credit. Additional information is available from Megan Dunning at The Morton Arboretum, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or 630-725-2101.

2010 Spring Class: Plant - Animal Interactions

"Plant - Animal Interactions" is the study of the special ecological and evolutionary relationships between plants and animals.  The basic interactions between plants and animals (herbivory, pollination and seed dispersal) will be studied by observing the natural history, conducting experiments, investigating the theory and discussing current scientific literature.

Prerequisite: General Biology, and one of Botany, Ecology, Physiology, Genetics or Evolution
Credit: 4 semester hours (or equivalent), undergraduate
Dates: January 27 - May 5, 2010
Day/Time: Lectures and Laboratory: Wednesdays, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm.
Lab work/field work: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon. Saturday dates TBD. 
Students are expected to provide their own transportation and defray their own expenses on field trips.
Meeting Place: Botany Lab, Research Center, The Morton Arboretum
Instructor: Dr. Cheryl Heinz, Assistant Professor, Biology, Benedictine University

Registration: Students can register through any of the ACCA member schools where they wish to receive credit. Additional information is available from Megan Dunning at The Morton Arboretum, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 630-725-2101.

2009 Fall Class:  Woody Plants of the Western Great Lakes

"Woody Plants of the Western Great Lakes Region" is an introduction to the identification of the plants that make up the woody flora of the western Great Lakes region. Class will cover both native and naturalized plants. Important woody landscape plants of the area will also be covered. Laboratory will provide an opportunity to apply learned taxonomic principals by examining fresh cut specimens and dried herbarium plant materials. Field trips to the grounds of the Arboretum will acquaint the student with field identification characteristics. Day long field trips to regional natural areas rich in woody plants will provide an opportunity to apply learned identification skills and to learn habitat preferences of plants studied.

Prerequisite: General Botany or consent of the instructor
Credit: 4 semester hours (or equivalent), undergraduate
Dates: September 16-December 5, 2009
Day/Time: Lectures-Wednesdays, 6:30 - 9:30 pm. Lab work/field trips-Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon
Meeting Place: Botany Lab, Research Center, The Morton Arboretum
Instructor: Ed Hedborn, M.S., Plant Records Manager, The Morton Arboretum

University of Illinois Degree Program

The University of Illinois, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES), in partnership with ACES and the Office of Continuing Education, will offer junior and senior level horticulture courses taught by resident faculty in the Chicago area that will allow students to obtain a B.S. degree in horticulture without having to leave home. Initial courses will be offered at the Oakbrook Multi-University Center, The Morton Arboretum, and the Chicago Botanic Garden.