4 ECTS credits
120 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1005946ANR for all students in the 1st semester at a (A) Bachelor - preliminary level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
Dutch
Faculty
Faculteit Geneeskunde en Farmacie
Department
Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences
Educational team
Kristiaan Demeyer (course titular)
Santina Gorsen
Activities and contact hours
25 contact hours Lecture
15 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
Course Content

In the first part, basic properties for macroscopic identification of plant material are described.

The second part discusses the anatomy of higher plants. Knowledge acquired in the lectures will be used for the study of microscopic structures of leaves, stems, roots, flowers and seeds. Also specific structures (glands, starch granules, ...) will be studied. These skills are essential for a proper microscopic identification of plant material.

The third part is devoted to qualtiy control parameters.

In the last part, the main biochemical processes occuring in plants will be discussed. Glycolysis, Krebscycle, oxidative phosphorylation, photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism will be studied as these form the basis for the synthesis of specific compounds (secondary metabolites) responsible for the application of plant materials in pharmacognosy. The latter will be discussed as an introduction to the course of "Pharmacognosy and Phytochmeistry" (3rd year BA).

Course material
Course text (Required) : Plantkunde - Inleiding tot de farmacognosie, Inleiding tot de farmacognosie, Demeyer, VUB, 2220170000503, 2014
Course text (Required) : WPO: Plantkunde – Inleiding tot de farmacognosie: Histologie en Kwaliteitscontrole, Histologie en Kwaliteitscontrole, Demeyer - Gorsen, VUB, 2220170007762, 2020
Practical course material (Required) : Microscopische preparaten, Histologie en Kwaliteitscontrole, Demeyer
Additional info

Seminar:
Different histological and anatomical structures of the plants are to be recognized on microscopic preparations.
 

Syllabus for lectures and seminars is provided

Learning Outcomes

General competencies

This course introduces students to cytology, anatomy and physiology of plants.

Students have a basic knowledge of systematics of the plant kingdom and are able to apply this knowledge to the macroscopic identification of pharmacutical important plants.

They are able to recognize essential anatomical strucutures of higher plants and apply this knowledge to the microsopic evaluation of pharmaceutical plant materials.

They know all parameters involved in quality control of plant materials.

They have a good basic knowledge of plant physiology: basic biochemical processes taking place in plants and the relation between biosynthesis of primary metabolites and secondary metabolites.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 70% of the final mark.
PRAC Lab Work determines 30% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Schriftelijk examen with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 70% of the final mark.

    Note: De materie vervat in de cursus wordt schriftelijk geëvalueerd in eerste zittijd. In de 2de zittijd gebeurt dit op basis van een mondeling examen met schriftelijke voorbereiding.

Within the PRAC Lab Work category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Praktisch examen with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 30% of the final mark.

    Note: De kennis opgedaan in het werkcollege wordt, naast de beoordeling op basis van de tekeningen/schema's aangemaakt van de beschikbare coupes, tijdens het examen geëvalueerd op basis van het herkennen van niet benoemde microscopische preparaten en het aanduiden/herkennen van de verschillende weefsels/structuren hierop teruggevonden.

Additional info regarding evaluation

A written evaluation of the lectures will take place. (75 % of  total score)

Seminar work will be evaluated on the basis of identification of structures/tissues in non-specified microscopic slides in addition to the evaluation of drawings made during the seminars (study of microscopic slides). (25 % of total score)

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences: default (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences: Initial track (only offered in Dutch)