Educational objectives The main educational objectives of the Course in Pharmacognosy, Phytotherapy and Phytovigilance are to provide the student the knowledge about the pharmacological and toxicological activity of medicinal plants and their derivatives. The knowledge and skills acquired, during the course, common to two (in “Scienze erboristiche” and in “Informazione Scientifica sul Farmaco”) of the three curricula of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences, will be usable by both professional figures in the field of work, in which the expected learning outcomes are relate to: quality control, composition, safety, possible effectiveness and relative promotion/advertising of products of plant origin.
The course takes place in an alternation of lectures (useful to address the concepts of basic theory) and of moments of practical comparison in the classroom (suitable to stimulate the student's critical-applicative skills). Another educational objective is to acquire training skills, useful to provide students with the knowledge to orient themselves on the Internet websites, and discriminating skills among the information available on medicinal plants, in terms of quality and scientific evidences.
The specific objectives of the Course concern the acquisition by the student of transversal skills, including the detailed knowledge of: the main regulations of the sector and consequent commercial typology various herbal products (herbal medicinal products of traditional and consolidated use, herbal food/dietary supplements, homeopathic, functional foods, novel foods, nutraceuticals, “cosmeceuticals” and cosmetics containing plants); the acquisition of critical skills and judgment of the composition of what is available on the market and of the main innovations of the sector, of biological activity and of the safety of use of vegetable preparations. In this last context, particular attention will be devoted to the Phytosurveillance of suspected adverse reactions and to the functioning of the Italian Phytovigilance System.
At the end of the course, the student will be able to communicate effectively what has been learned and can continue the study independently in the course of life, thanks to the skills acquired in the concepts learned and in the implementation methods of research of information in the field of medicinal plants. During the course, websites and bibliographic references and contact with industry associations, possibly useful for developing collaborative relationships in the world of work, will be provided. Based on the knowledge acquired, the graduate in Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences will have the necessary skills to carry out his profession in the pharmaceutical and / or herbal and possibly regulatory fields.
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Educational objectives General expected learning outcomes
The course in Applied Pharmacognosy aims to provide students with an advanced and professionally oriented understanding of herbal drugs, with particular focus on their production, processing, preparation, and analysis, for their application in the pharmaceutical field. Building on previous courses in pharmacognosy, phytotherapy, and phytovigilance, this course is designed to consolidate and expand theoretical knowledge by guiding students toward an integrated and practical understanding of the role of medicinal plants in research and the development of natural products for therapeutic, nutraceutical and cosmetic use.
The course seeks to develop specific competencies in analytical and pharmacological methodologies used for the study and valorization of plant-derived materials, with particular emphasis on innovative strategies aimed at improving the quality, safety, and efficacy of herbal preparations. Special attention will be given to laboratory activities, considered essential for gaining familiarity with control and analytical techniques used in applied research and in the herbal and pharmaceutical industries.
Specific expected learning outcomes
1. Knowledge and understanding
Students will acquire in-depth knowledge of herbal drugs and their production processes, with a focus on applied research and technological innovation. Particular attention will be given to methods for studying phytochemical and pharmacological properties and to advanced preparation processes. Students will learn to understand and apply scientific strategies and analytical techniques aimed at the standardization and valorization of plant materials, the optimization of their properties, and the development of new medicinal plant-based preparations.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to apply analytical and experimental methodologies to study herbal drugs and their preparations, particularly concerning the characterization of phytoconstituents and the evaluation of pharmacological and toxicological profiles, as well as quality control. They will also be able to use advanced tools and technologies for the standardization and functional optimization of new plant-based products intended for pharmaceutical, herbal, cosmetic, or nutraceutical use.
3. Making judgements
Students will develop the ability to critically evaluate scientific data on the composition, pharmacological, and toxicological activity of plant products. They will also analyze innovative strategies applied in the research and development of medicinal plant-based preparations, identify critical issues, and propose evidence-based and innovation-driven improvements.
4. Communication skills
Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively using appropriate scientific and technical language, presenting data and processes related to the production and analysis of herbal preparations in professional contexts, and interacting consciously with industry professionals, regulatory bodies, or consumers.
5. Learning skills
Students will develop methodological tools and critical thinking skills that will enable them to pursue autonomous lifelong learning or to continue their academic studies, including research activities in the field of medicinal plants and natural products.
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