Criteria for Evaluation

The criteria to evaluate the students will include the test of knowledge of concepts and the ability to communicate through a) examination consisting of short questions or multiple choice or any other similar questions; b) the writing of a research paper on a selected topic based on literature review; and Students are encouraged that to highlight research findings or specific concepts/philosophies related to medicinal plants in a creative fashion in the assignment. A regular attendance to the lectures will greatly help in getting good results.

General learning outcomes and associated specific methods of teaching and evaluation are listed below:

Critical and Creative Thinking: An interdisciplinary approach integrating fundamental principles of plant physiology, growth, medicinal chemistry, and biotechnology are the key element of this course. An understanding of the topics and writing the research papers on relevant issues will require collection, sorting, assessment, and critical evaluation of the subject matter. The quality of writing for these research reports would be expected to meet the standards of publication in an established journal of plant medicine or natural health products. This process will also highlight the importance of the depth and breadth of understanding of the subject matter. The students will be taught the method of writing scientific papers and given instructions to prepare a manuscript for submission to a magazine or journal. The examination process will evaluate student’s ability to develop an understanding of the scientific concepts and technologies as well as their skills of synthesis, writing, and attention to details for presenting the information in an organized fashion.

Inquiry: The topics dealing with traditional uses of medicinal plant species invariably involve the elements of myth, philosophy, and societal forces in addition to science and technology. The search for the scientific relevance of interdisciplinary aspects will provide the students with an opportunity to get familiar with various forms of inquiry. This course will also include lectures and interactions with expert guest speakers from academia and the natural health product industry. In-depth analysis of literature required for writing research paper will assess student’s understanding, knowledge, and capacity of learning. Collectively, these exercises will provide the students an opportunity to enhance their skills of inquiry.

Numeracy: The students will be required to read papers, which provide quantitative analyses of plant chemicals and magnitude of responses they invoke in human physiological functions. The compilation of review will also require an understanding of basic quantitative and statistical analyses to separate the significant effects of medicinal plants in modulating various human activities against the placebo. The students will trace the events and impacts of plant medicines from historical perspectives as well as their validity in recent times giving them a sense of the magnitude and continuity of change over time.

Professional and Ethical Behavior: This course deals with issues that relate to human health. In the research project, the students will be required to provide their own assessment of specific medicinal plant species and associated practices. Issues such the use of intoxicating chemicals to control mood swings or as medications would stimulate in-depth inquiry, understanding, assessment, and moral maturity to express personal views. Together, the medical relevance of the use of plants and a continuous exposure of our society to holistic approaches to better living is highly likely to stimulate the love of learning and enhance professional maturity.

Global Understanding: In recent years the quest for longevity and an improved quality of life has increased the use of natural therapeutics, resulting in a wider acceptance of plant medicines in the Western world. This increased interest has also brought about the great challenge of maintaining a balance between the demand of expanding markets for plant medicines and the need to protect medicinal biodiversity. Unfortunately, one third of all plant species on earth are under threat of extinction due to overharvest, disease and insects, pollution, and the escalating loss of natural habitats resulting from the activities of a rapidly growing human population. Rising global temperature and climate change are even more serious threats to survival of many medicinal plant species. Medicinal plant species are central to holistic lifestyles in many different cultures around the world highlighting the need for conservation of biocultural diversity globally. Lectures will address these issues to provide global perspectives on medicinal plant conservation and human health.

Communicating: The criteria used to evaluate the students will include the test of knowledge of concepts, numeracy and ability to communicate.