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    Overview

    An introduction to pharmacognosy - understanding of natural product use as traditional and modern medicines including extraction, chemistry, assessment of biological activity, formulation, production considerations and regulation.

    Natural products form the basis of modern medicines and are still used traditionally around the world for health benefits. The aim of this paper is to introduce students to the use and development of natural products for medicinal uses whilst obtaining practical skills applicable to this area. The paper features a component of traditional Māori medicine and rongoa.

    About this paper

    Paper title Natural Products and Medicines
    Subject Pharmaceutical Science
    EFTS 0.15
    Points 18 points
    Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,173.30
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Prerequisite
    (CHEM 191 or CHEM 111) plus 54 points at 200-level
    Eligibility

    This paper can complement BSc degrees with a pharmacology, botany or biology focus.

    Contact

    arlene.mcdowell@otago.ac.nz

    Teaching staff

    Paper Co-ordinator: Associate Professor Arlene McDowell

    Teaching Staff:

    Professor Natalie Hughes

    Dr Anna Latu

    Professor Sarah Hook

    Professor Nigel Perry

    Associate Professor Bill Hawkins

    Associate Professor Janice Lord

    Associate Professor Allan Gamble

    Professor Craig Bunt

    Plus subject experts guest lecturers from industry

    Paper Structure

    PSCI303 will be taught through lectures, laboratories and field trips covering the following general topics:

    • Introduction to pharmacognosy.
    • Identification, isolation and extraction of natural products.
    • Biological activity of natural products.
    • Production considerations for natural products.
    Textbooks

    No Textbooks required.

    Graduate Attributes Emphasised

    Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

    Learning Outcomes

    By completion of this paper students will be able to:

    1. Discuss the use of natural products as medicines.
    2. Explain the chemical properties of natural products.
    3. Demonstrate the process of extraction and isolation of natural products.
    4. Summarize the concepts for assessing the biological activity of natural products.
    5. Describe the quality assurance processes and regulatory issues for natural products.
    6. Apply principles of scientific research and methods to problem solving.
    7. Communicate expert scientific knowledge effectively to different audiences.
    8. Works effectively as a team member.

    Timetable

    Semester 1

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Fieldwork

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Friday 10:00-11:50 20

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Monday 08:00-08:50 13
    Monday 13:00-13:50 9-13, 16-21
    Tuesday 15:00-15:50 9-13, 15-16, 18-21
    Friday 09:00-09:50 9-12, 16-21

    Practical

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Monday 14:00-17:50 13, 16, 18, 20

    Workshop

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Monday 10:00-11:50 18
    Friday 10:00-11:50 16
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