Program Overview
Now more than ever, people are interested in herbal remedies and natural products. Modern medicine is informed by nature, and the evidence is growing all around us. Which remedies are based in science, and which aren’t? In the BS in Herbal Sciences program, you’ll study plants root to leaf and learn the history and culture behind their use.
Graduates of the herbal science degree program are prepared to enter the herbal products field directly as botanical medicine experts or can go on to pursue further education in related areas. You’ll bridge the gap between traditional herbal wisdom and evidence-informed science.
Program Highlights
6
partnerships for studying abroad opportunities
10.6%
Annual Growth in the Herbal Industry
350+
number of species of herbs from Western, Chinese, Ayurvedic, and First Nations traditions growing in the Bastyr Gardens
Botanical Medicine Education Expected Outcomes
Upon completion of Basytr’s herbal sciences program, students will be prepared to:
- Identify most used medicinal plants utilizing botanical, organoleptic, and analytical methods of identification, and identify their medicinal indications and actions
- Convey understanding of current political issues and trends pertaining to the herbal industry, as well as the history of traditional use of herbs in medicine
- Produce commonly used herbal preparations and discuss their potential in medicinal applications
- Analyze herbal products using knowledge of pharmacognosy and Quality Assurance Quality Control (QAQC) test methods and apply this analysis to potential research applications
- Develop sound foundations in the sciences that prepare the student for science-based industry or graduate-level study, such as ethnobotany, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, clinical graduate work, research, herbal product development, and QAQC, bulk herb supplier, or herbal agriculture
- Exhibit knowledge of safety parameters for use of medicinal plants
Herbal Sciences Program Details
The curriculum tables that follow list the tentative schedule of courses each quarter.
Year I
Fall
BC3123 Organic Chemistry for Life Sciences Lecture/Lab (6 credits)
BC3161 Anatomy and Physiology 1 Lecture/Lab (3 credits)
BO3107 Botany 1 (2 credits)
BO3108 Introduction to Herbal Sciences (3 credits)
BO3123 Plant Identification 1 (1 credit)
BO3124 Horticulture 1 (0.5 credits)
Winter
BC3162 Anatomy and Physiology 2 Lecture/Lab (3 credits)
BC4117 Biochemistry for Life Sciences 1 Lecture/Lab (5 credits)
BO3115 Herbal Medicine History and Traditions (2 credits)
BO3116 Botany 2 (2 credits)
BO3127 Plant Identification 2 (1 credit)
BO3128 Horticulture 2 (0.5 credit)
BO4102 Research Methods for Herbal Science (2 credits)
Spring
BC3163 Anatomy and Physiology 3 Lecture/Lab (4 credits)
BC4140 Biochemistry for Life Sciences 2 (4 credits)
BO3114 Herbal Preparations (3 credits)
BO3125 Ethnobotany and Northwest Herbs (3 credits)
BO3129 Plant Identification 3 (1 credit)
BO3130 Horticulture 3 (0.5 credits)
Year II
Fall
BC4114 Disease Processes (4 credits)
BO4111 First Aid for Herbalists (2 credits)
BO4119 Pharmacognosy for Herbal Sciences (2 credits)
BO4122 Test Methods for Botanical Authentication (2 credits)
BO4145 Materia Medica 1 for Herbal Sciences (4 credits)
BO4153 Horticulture 4 (0.5 credits)
Winter
BO4100 Herbs and Food (3 credits)
BO4121 QAQC Quality Assurance/Quality Control (3 credits)
BO4146 Materia Medica 2 for Herbal Sciences (4 credits)
BO4154 Horticulture 5 (0.5 credits)
BO4156 Pharmacology and Herb/Drug Interactions (4 credits)
Spring
BO4147 Materia Medica 3 for Herbal Sciences (4 credits)
BO4150 Herbal Science Research Applications (1 credit)
BO4152 Business and Law for Herbal Sciences (1 credit)
BO4155 Horticulture 6 (0.5 credit)
BO4802 Herbal Sciences Practicum (2 credits)
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General Cell Biology w/lab (for science majors) - 1 course
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General Chemistry w/lab (for science majors) - 2 courses
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College Algebra - 1 course
General Education Requirements
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Arts and Humanities - 5 courses
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English and Composition - 2 courses
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Other Courses - 3 courses
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Social and Behavioral Sciences - 5 courses
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General Psychology- 1 course
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Public Speaking - 1 course
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Other Courses - 3 courses
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Natural Science and Mathematics - 5 courses
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Major-Based Prerequisite Courses - 4 courses
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Other Course - 1 course
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General Electives - 3 courses or more
TOTAL 90 quarter/60 semester credits
Bastyr accepts graduate and undergraduate transfer credits earned at accredited colleges and universities. Learn what you need to make this process go smoothly.
For more information, visit Financial Aid.
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Herbal industry representative, consultant, formulator, manufacturer, or manager
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Quality assurance specialist
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Teacher/instructor at an herbal school
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Production and processing specialist
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Researcher
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Herb cultivator or wildcrafter
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Work in the health/wellness/supplements/cosmetics industry
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Preparation for graduate studies in natural medicine, ethnobotany, acupuncture and East Asian, phytotherapy, botany, horticulture, pharmacognosy, pharmacology, medicine, nursing, or nutrition
I chose Bastyr because I aspire to optimize vitality. And Bastyr has taught me that life is abundant, vibrant and full of opportunity and passion. I aspire to live each day under that philosophy.
Caitlin Gilson
MA
Caitlin is a permaculture designer who strives to help connect humans to the environment. Prior to her work at Bastyr, she directed the educational programming for the 176 community…
Kaleb C. Lund
Ph.D.
Dr. Lund has a strong background in chemistry and toxicology and applies these sciences to his current passion - botanical medicine. His interests lie in the chemical and ecological…
Eric Yarnell
ND
Dr. Yarnell graduated from Bastyr University in 1996 and has been in practice ever since. He is former chair of botanical medicine at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (now Sonoran…
