Medicinal Natural Products

Catalog description

This course is designed to familiarize the student with the identification, application, and evaluation of pharmaceutical products originating from natural sources. The course will combine principles of basic science with pharmaceutical applications. Topics include: biodiversity and chemotaxonomy; biosynthesis; secondary metabolite-based drug development; social, legal, and harmful aspects of herbs and supplements; ethnopharmacology and cultural/traditional use of natural products. This course will provide students practical knowledge of the origins of medicines, so that they may better appreciate the complex world around them. The end goal is to engage students to learn in depth about ways nature is utilized to treat disease. This helps students to become more knowledgeable pharmacists and global citizens. Prerequisites: (PHAR 330 or 5310).