Course Learning Objectives

BOT 442 Medical Ethnobotany learning objectives are articulated with the Ethnobotany BS degree hallmarks and learning outcomes.

Specific learning objectives will be identified for each problem studied within the course. Some of these will coincide with the general objectives listed below and others will be more specific.

General learning objectives are drawn from the degree hallmarks and learning outcomes. Students completing this course should:

• Be able to discuss patterns of cultural evolution with plants:
  • Nutrition from plants and evolution of food processing
  • Patterns of human plant selection for food, medicine, poison, ritual and religion
  • Traditional management of wild resources
  • Legal systems and regulation of plant uses and access
• Understand important interactions between cultural practices, ecosystems, and modern science.
• Know the major areas of human interactions with plants / environments:
  • Medicinal / Biochemical
• Know specific plant taxa used by people:
  • Useful Global Invasive and Pervasive Species
  • Key Plants that are Examples of Global Ethnobotanical Phenomena
• Know characteristics of plant taxa used by people:
  • Physiology and biochemistry of useful plants
  • Pharmacology and toxicity of useful plants
• Know commonly used qualitative research methods:
  • Qualitative chemical analysis
  • Bioassay analyses
• Demonstrate use of common qualitative research methods:
  • Use methods to test hypotheses
  • Write research study report based on work conducted
• Know other kinds of methods used by ethnobotany researchers:
  • Human subjects protocol
  • Intellectual property rights protocol