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Botany and Pharmacognosy

Course developer

Replaced course

Biol1003 [GBIO1003] Botany and Pharmacognosy

Course abstract

Study course examines the structure and functions of plant cell, the classification and functions of plant tissues. The structure and functions of plants vegetative and generative organs are described. The classification, characterization and importance of plant groups is inspected. The aim of the study course is to learn and characterize the most important and common wild medicinal plants, to know their importance and application in medicine and veterinary medicine, as well as to know poisonous plants.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

The description of plants, the explanation of plants’ qualities and
importance related with its morphology and anatomy – 1st and 2nd test,
practical works, 4 colloquiums; Skills the determination and recognition
of plants, analysis of their qualities and use – 2nd and 3rd test, practical works, 4 colloquiums; Competence the evaluation and discussion about availability and usability of plants in fodder, medicine and veterinary medicine – practical works, 4 colloquiums.

Course Content(Calendar)

1.Introduction in botany. The role of plants (1 h)
2.Plant vegetative organs and their metamorphosis (root, stems) (3 h)
3.Plant vegetative organs and their metamorphosis (leaf) (2 h)
4.Plant generative organs (flower, fruit, seed) (3)
1st test “The morphology of plants” (remotely in e-studies)
5.Plant cell (introduction, cell organelles, plastīds) (1 h)
6.Plant cell (cell envelope, vacuole with cell sap, cell division) (1 h)
7.Plant tissue (1 h)
8.The anatomy of plant orgāns (1 h)
2nd test “Plants’ cell and tissues” (remotely in e-studies)
9.Plant systematics. Plant groups (bacteria, blue-green algae, algae, fungi, lichens) (4 h)
10.Plant systematics. Plant groups (mosses, ferns, gymnosperms, flowering plants) (4 h)
11.Plant systematics. Flowering plant families (3 h)
12.Plant systematics. Flowering plant families (2 h)
Colloquium 1. “Flowering plant families” (1 h)
13.Plant systematics. Flowering plant families (3 h)
Colloquium 2. “Flowering plant families” (1 h)
14.Plant systematics. Flowering plant families ( 3 h)
Colloquium 3. “Flowering plant families” (1 h)
15.Plant systematics. Flowering plant families (3 h)
Colloquium 4. “Flowering plant families” (1 h)
16.List of medical and poisonous plants. The concept of homeopathy (1 h)
3rd test “Systematics of plants” (remotely in e-studies)

Requirements for awarding credit points

75% attendance of lectures and practical works. Passed 4 colloquia. Passed’ Passed 3 tests. Cumulative exam.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Independent study of plant morphology, plant anatomy and plant systematics in the preparation of tests. 4 colloquiums “Flowering plant families”: the name of plants in Latvian/ English and Latin, the learning of the role and the use of plant in medicine and veterinary medicine.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The assessment of the study course is based on the cumulative assessment of the tests and the colloquiums. In the case of refinement of the mark, the student answers additional questions.
The test is successful if at least 50% of the questions are answered correctly. The colloquium is evaluated in accordance with the established assessment procedure - all plants must be recognized, their Latin and Latvian/ English names should be known, the role of the plant and its use in veterinary medicine should be described.
Evaluation of tests and colloquiums with marks (the scope of the program was completed 8 (very well); additional information learned - 9 (excellent) or 10 (very excellent).

Compulsory reading

1. Elliot W. T. et al. Botany: an introduction to plant biology. New York : John Wiley & Sons, 1982. 720 p.
2. Raven Peter H. et al. Biology of plants.New York: W.H. Freeman, 2005. 686 p.

Further reading

1. Mossberg, B. and Stenberg, L., 2003. Den nya nordiska Floran. Stockholm: Wahlstrom & Widstrand 928 p.
2. Priedītis, N. Latvijas augi [Plants in Latvia]. Rīga: Gandrs, 2014, 888 p.

Notes

The study course is compulsory part of the study program "Veterinary Medicine" for second level professional higher education.