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(NOTE: This course was formerly numbered BOT 501.)
HERB 531 explores plant anatomy, plant physiology, herbal ecology (including ethical wildcrafting and harvesting concepts), and field identification. With a particular emphasis on the practical use of medicinal plants, the fields of taxonomy (classification), genetics and evolution, anatomy and function of cells and plant parts, energy metabolism of photosynthesis and respiration, and the biochemical pathways producing medicinal compounds are examined. Graduates will be expected to demonstrate a strong theoretical understanding of botany, including the terminology used for plant identification, comparing and contrasting the different structures of leaves, flowers, stems, and roots used to distinguish species from one another; employing botanical theory to complete projects, practical experiments, and labs including traditional mnemonics and the ‘doctrine of signatures,’ integrated with contemporary methods of reliable plant identification; and critically evaluating various concepts, approaches, methods, and issues in the field. Field exercises will be presented so that the student can acquire practical experience. Students will also formulate a botanical experiment to prove a hypothesis of their design, analyze their results, and present them in a format recognized by the biological science communities.
Demonstrate a strong theoretical understanding of botany including the terminology used for plant identification, comparing and contrasting the different structures of leaves, flowers, stems, and roots used to distinguish species from one another.
Employ botanical theory to complete projects, practical experiments, and labs, including traditional mnemonics and the ‘doctrine of signatures’, integrated with contemporary methods of reliable plant identification.
Critically evaluate various concepts, approaches, methods, and issues in the field. Field exercises will be presented so that the student can acquire practical experience. Students will also formulate a botanical experiment to prove a hypothesis of their design, analyze their results and present them in a format recognized by the biological science communities.
Demonstrate a strong theoretical understanding of botany, including the basic principles of plant science that are applicable to botanical medicine, herbal product manufacture, and quality control; the fundamental processes and energetics of plant metabolism and how these relate to the biosynthesis of medicinally active compounds; basic genetic principles, and how plant genetics influences the potency and variability of medicinal plants; as measured by objective examinations, essay examinations, peer-reviewed projects, application of principles to case studies and projects.
Demonstrate a solid knowledge base of botany, with the capacity to distinguish, compare and contrast the structure and function of plant cells; the effects of ecology and growing conditions on plant anatomy and constituents including influences from fungi, bacteria, and viruses; the meaning and origin of terms relating to plant anatomy, plant physiology, and field identification; as measured by objective examinations, essay examinations, peer-reviewed projects, application of principles to case studies and projects.
Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate and critique various concepts, approaches, methods and issues in the field of botany as it applies to CAM, particularly the relevance and application of botanical knowledge to the cultivation and harvesting of medicinal plants, herbal product production, clinical practice, and educational programs; the ability to critically assess basic and clinical scientific studies examining botany, as measured by essay examinations, peer-reviewed projects, application of principles to case studies and projects.
Demonstrate the ability to apply a visual method for comprehending plant morphology (form) and differentiate, compare, and contrast distinguishing characteristics, as measured by essay examinations, and application of principles to projects and labs.
Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and accurately identify, differentiate, compare, and contrast plants in any environment using keys, field guides, organoleptic methods, and traditional mnemonics, as demonstrated by essay examinations, projects, and labs.
Demonstrate the ability to locate and evaluate botanical information and plant identification sites on the Internet, and to apply these to plants in the student's environment as demonstrated by objective examinations, essay examinations, projects, and labs.
Propose a hypothesis, design a study, complete an experiment using the scientific method, and compose the analysis in a format used by scientific research journals.
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Required Textbooks:
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Last updated 11/4/19
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Candidates must possess a baccalaureate degree or higher from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education. Candidates must submit official transcripts directly from the issuing institution along with one professional letter of recommendation. All applicants must be recommended for admission by the ACHS Admissions Committee.
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