HERB 521

Principles of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry Online

Overview

(NOTE: This course was formerly numbered CHEM 502)

Graduates of this course will be expected to demonstrate a strong theoretical knowledge of the principles of pharmacognosy (the knowledge of medicinal plant preparations and extracts) and phytochemistry (literally, ‘plant’ chemistry) as they apply to botanical medicine. While providing a comprehensive examination of the details of plant constituents, this graduate course holistically incorporates a solid knowledge base from traditional Western herbal medicine with scientific information from contemporary chemistry, botany, and human physiology. Graduates will be expected to critically evaluate major categories and subcategories of herbal constituents in order to explain how molecules contribute to an herb’s observable actions. Graduates of this course will also be expected to critically evaluate and critique various concepts, approaches, methods and issues related to quality control, herbal potency, and principles of extraction, synergy, and variability as it applies to the botanical industry. Colorful 3-D molecular models, diagrams, and plant photographs help to bring the concepts to life for the visually-oriented learner. Students will be expected to employ concepts and theory to complete projects, practical experiments and labs, and to critically evaluate various concepts, approaches, methods, and issues in the field. Students will also formulate an experiment to prove a hypothesis of their design, analyze their results and present them in a format recognized by the science communities.

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Learning Outcomes

  • A strong theoretical understanding of pharmacognosy and phytochemistry, including the basic principles of pharmacognosy and phytochemistry that are applicable to botanical medicine, herbal product manufacture, and quality control; the role of polyvalent action; solubility and extraction in relationship to herbal product manufacturing; the meaning of phytochemical terms and structure drawings; as measured by objective examinations, essay examinations, peer reviewed projects, and application of principles to case studies and projects.

  • A solid knowledge base of pharmacognosy and phytochemistry, with the capacity to distinguish, compare and contrast phytochemical elements and functional groups and their application to botanical medicine; principles of synergistic action between constituents and herbal formulas or combinations ; and categorize and compare compounds found in the most frequently used botanicals; as measured by objective examinations, essay examinations, peer reviewed projects, and application of principles to case studies and projects.

  • The ability to critically evaluate and critique various concepts, approaches, methods and issues in the field of pharmacognosy and phytochemistry as it applies to CAM, particularly the relevance and application of pharmacognosy and phytochemistry to the efficacy and viability of medicinal plants, herbal product production, clinical practice, and educational programs and the ability to locate and critically assess basic and clinical scientific studies examining pharmacognosy and phytochemistry, as measured by essay examinations, peer reviewed projects, and application of principles to case studies and projects.

  • The ability to differentiate, compare, and contrast relevant concepts of solubility, extraction media, concentration, standardization, analytical methods, and other knowledge important for the production and evaluation of high quality herbal extracts; and the types of compounds associated with specific actions (both therapeutic and potentially toxic) in commonly used herbs; as measured by essay examinations, and application of principles to projects and labs.

  • The ability to 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.

More details

Required Course Pack:

  • Online Materials and Library Resources (OMLR)

Required Textbooks: 

View the required textbooks for this class, including ISBN, edition, and retail price, by visiting our Required Textbooks page.

Total Course Price: $1515 (3 credits x $505 per credit) + $130 Course Pack + $59.99 Textbook = $1704.99

View the total course price including tuition, fees, course materials, and shipping online here.

Last updated 7/19/19

Current Instructors:

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Admissions Requirements:

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.

Total Course Price:

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