The medicinal and economic botany certificate is designed for students with an interest in the practical uses of plants, both known and yet to be discovered. The program requires a basic knowledge of biology and chemistry, but is available to students in a variety of majors, such as anthropology, conservation biology, or environmental education. The program emphasizes historical and cultural botany, modern medicinal plants, and practical plant production and concludes with research or field experience.
Advisers:
James E. Simon, Foran 396C (jimsimon@rutgers.edu)
Nrupali Patel, Foran 372 (npatel@sebs.rutgers.edu)
Program Webpage: https://plantbiology.rutgers.edu/med-eco-botany/program-requirements.html
Managing Department Webpage: https://plantbiology.rutgers.edu/
Recommended Prerequisites
01:119:115,116,117 General Biology and Laboratory
01:160:161,162,171 General Chemistry and Laboratory
Required Courses (13 credits)
11:776:205 Introduction to Ethnobotany (3)
11:776:211 Introduction to Horticulture (3)
11:776:242 Plant Science (3)
11:776:312 Medicinal Plants (3)
11:776:313 Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Laboratory (1)
Practical Experience (3 credits)
11:776:495,496 Special Problems in Plant Science (by arrangement): an adviser-approved internship focusing on an area of medicinal or economic botany
Electives (9 credits)
11:776:221 Principles of Organic Crop Production (3)
11:776:302 General Plant Pathology (3)
11:776:310 Plant Propagation (3)
11:776:321 Greenhouse Systems Management (3)
11:776:341 Fruit Production (3)
11:776:390 Hemp and Medical Cannabis (3)
11:776:400 Fungi in the Environment (3)
11:776:415 Fungi and Human Health (3)
11:776:438 Plants and Human Health (3)
11:776:439 Nursery Crop Production (3)
11:776:440 Soil Fertility (3) or equivalent
11:776:442 Agroecology (3)
11:776:495,496 Special Problems in Plant Science (1-3)
11:020:255 Special Topics in Agriculture and Food Systems (1-3)
11:020:321 Principles and Practices of Small-Scale Organic Farming (3)
11:020:340 Indoor Cultivation of High-Value Crops (4)
11:020:436 Sustainable Agriculture (3)
11:020:442 Entrepreneurial Agriculture (3)
11:216:411 Plant Diversity and Evolution (3)
01:450:211 Environment, Society, and Social Justice (3)
01:450:306 Global Ecosystems and Biodiversity (3)
or other adviser-approved electives