Minor in Canabis Studies

This 18-credit minor provides an interdisciplinary understanding of the cannabis industry from plant to market.

Overview

The minor consists of four core cannabis specific courses. These courses develop core competencies in cannabis regulations, natural product separation and analysis, safe product development and manufacturing, and the evaluation of the therapeutic potential of cannabis. The remaining credits needed to complete the minor come from several relevant courses in pharmaceutical science, plant sciences, chemistry, psychology, and business. Students are be able to decide which areas are most applicable to their learning goals.

Throughout the core courses, the students work on a threaded assignment synthesizing the concepts in each course together and culminating with the real-world experience of researching, designing, and evaluating, in concept, a cannabis product. The discussions and practice are hypothetical. 


 

At no point in the program will students have direct contact with any federally illegal cannabis products or derivatives.

Objectives

Upon completion of this minor, students will be able to:

  1. identify and evaluate sources of evidence-based information to make informed decisions related to cannabis production and therapeutics,
  2. conceptually design reliable and safe cannabis products within the framework of an existing regulatory environment
  3. apply knowledge of the bioactivity of cannabis to effectively assess treatment options and guide product development

Students interesting in knowing more about this minor should contact the minor coordinator, Dr. Forschner-Dancause.

Contacts

Stephanie Forschner-Dancause, Ph.D

Associate Teaching Professor, Director of the BSPS Programs, Director of the Certificate Program in Cannabis Studies

Office: 395N

401.874.5517
sdancause@uri.edu

Curriculum

The Cannabis Studies minor consists of a minimum of 18 credit hours. Of those 18 credits, 12 are completed through the core courses (BPS 206, BPS 312, BPS 314, BPS 316).  These four courses fulfill the requirement of credits needed at the 200 level or above for the minor.  Students must take the course BPS 206 Foundations of Cannabis Studies prior to proceeding with the three other core courses in the minor.  The three other core courses can be taken in any order.  The other 6 credits may be selected from several eligible courses.  General education requirements may be used for the minor and eligible courses include BPS 203, BPS/PSY 205G, and PLS 150.

Required Core Courses Credits Grade Earned
BPS 206Foundations of Cannabis Studies3
BPS 312*Cannabis Chemistry and Pharmacognosy3
BPS 314*Cannabis Therapeutics3
BPS 316*Cannabis Product Development3
Additional Approved Courses for the Minor (pick 2 – must equal up to 6 credits)
BPS 203Herbal Medicines and Functional Food3
BPS/PSY 205GThe Challenged Brain3
BPS 315*Pharmaceutics II4
BPS 352*Personal Cosmetics3
BPS 451*Techniques in Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Biology4
CHM 227*Organic Chemistry Lecture I3
CHM 291*Organic Chemistry3
CHM 412*Instrumental Methods of Analysis3
INE 149 (BUS)Introduction to Entrepreneurship3
MGT 450* (BUS)Small Business Management3
PLS 150Plants, People and the Planet 3
PLS 200*Introduction to Plant Protection4
PLS 215*Propagation of Plant Materials3
PLS 250*Plant Breeding and Genetics4
PLS 255*Applied Plant Biology3
PLS 325*Hydrophonic and Greenhouse Vegetable Production2
PLS 331*Horticultural Plant Production4
PSY 460The Substance-Troubled Person3
SCA 255* (BUS)Operations and Supply Chain Management3

* Course has pre-requisite(s) which must be met

Requirements

Minor Form

 

  1. Students must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours for the minor.
  2. Of those 18 credits, 12 are completed through the core courses (BPS 206, BPS 312, BPS 314, BPS 316). The other 6 credits are from several eligible courses.
  3. A minimum GPA of 2.0 must be earned in the 18 credits required for the minor and course may not be taken under the pass-fail option.
  4. A maximum of two courses required for a major field of study may be applied to both the major and minor programs.
  5. Students are responsible for meeting the prerequisite requirements for individual courses, as applicable.
  6. Students will need to complete the cannabis minor form and have it signed by the minor coordinator, Dr. Forschner-Dancause, and the Student’s Assistant/Associated Dean.

 

 

Contacts

Stephanie Forschner-Dancause, Ph.D

Associate Teaching Professor, Director of the BSPS Programs, Director of the Certificate Program in Cannabis Studies

Office: 395N

401.874.5517
sdancause@uri.edu