Certificate of Achievement

Agripharmatech

Discipline

The Certificate of Achievement in Agripharmatech is organized in two tracks: Plant Biotechnology and Ethnopharmacognosy.  Each track consists of 30–32 credits, and requires a unique capstone class (see below).

The Plant Biotechnology track deals with developing and improving plant production in order to supply the world’s need for healthier (decreased use of pesticides) and more nutritious food crops, novel ornamentals, and plant-derived pharmaceuticals. Ethnopharmacognosy is the study of traditional medicines derived from natural sources (medicinal/nutritious plants).

Students will be able to complete the certificate in two to three semesters with coursework flexible enough to prepare them for employment in agricultural biotechnology or pharmacognosy, for entrepreneurship in agribusiness or plant-based product manufacturing, and for seamless credit transfer to higher degree institutions for the study of agriculture, pharmacy, and related disciplines.

After completing the program, students will be able to:

  • Apply knowledge gained in plant sciences: identify plants, propagate/cultivate/maintain plants in vivo and in vitro
  • Apply knowledge gained in microbial sciences: prepare/maintain bacterial cultures for genetic transformation and bioassay tests
  • Conduct plant biotech and/or pharmacognosy research  

In addition, students opting for the biotechnological track will focus on plant molecular genetics, and will:

  • Operate specialized lab equipment such as autoclave, gel electrophoresis, PCR machine, Particle Deliver/1000 Helium System, spectrophotometer, fluorescent microscope, Gel Doc System
  • Perform DNA/RNA extraction, electrophoresis, PCR reaction, DNA sequencing, gene transformation via bacteria, and particle bombardment, alignment and analyzing DA sequence results using Sequencher, PAUP, Finch TV software systems

Students opting for the ethnopharmacognosy track will focus on plant pharmacognostical study, and will:

  • Operate laboratory equipment: autoclave, spectrophotometer, stereo microscope, anaerobic transfer chamber, rotary evaporator, distiller, Biacore Q system
  • Conduct pharmaceutical and nutraceutical research

 

NOTES

* Math 100 is recommended for those who seek certificates to enter the workforce or become agribusiness entrepreneurs. Otherwise, Math 103 is recommended.

* BOT 199/299 in Ethnopharmacognosy involves pharmaceutical/nutraceutical research.

* BOT 199/200 in Plant Biotechnology involves plant biotechnology research.

Required Courses (17-18 credits)

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
17-18

Ethnopharmacognosy Track: Capstone (4-5 credits)

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
4-5

Ethnopharmacognosy Track: Electives (8-9 credits)

Choose eight to nine (8-9) credits from the following

Item #
Title
Credits
1 - 4
Sub-Total Credits
8-9

Plant Biotechnology Track: Capstone (4-5 credits)

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
4-5

Plant Biotechnology Track: Electives (8-9 credits)

Item #
Title
Credits
1 - 4
Sub-Total Credits
8-9
Total Credits
30-32