MSBT Course Sequence with Concentration in Medical Cannabis

Semester I Term I:  8 weeks; Fall start (Aug thru Oct) or Spring start (Jan thru Feb)

  • GEBS 500E: Cell Biology – 3 credits
  • GEBS 502E: Critical Thinking & Communication – 2 credits

Semester I Term II:  8 weeks; Fall start (Oct thru Dec) or Spring start (Mar thru Apr)

  • GEBS 504E: Biomedical Data Science & Biostatistics (using R and Python) – 3 credits
  • GEBS 557E: Introduction to Medical Cannabis – 3 credits

Semester II Term I:  8 weeks; Fall start (Jan thru Feb) or Spring start (May thru Jun)

  • GEBS 508E: Biochemistry – 3 credits
  • GEBS 513E: Ethics, Integrity, & GLP/GMP – 2 credits

Semester II Term II: 8 weeks; Fall start (Mar thru Apr) or Spring start (Jul thru Aug)

  • GEBS 510E: Molecular Biology – 3 credits
  • GEBS 558E: Pharmacology of Plant and Animal Cannabinoids & Terpenes – 3 credits

Semester III Term I: 8 weeks; Fall start (May thru Jun) or Spring start (Sept thru Oct)

  • GEBS 512E: Genetics - Epigenetics, Gene Organization & Expression – 3 credits
  • GEBS 655E: Physiologic, Behavioral, and Social Effects of Cannabis – 3 credits

Semester III Term II: 8 weeks; Fall start (Jul thru Aug) or Spring start (Nov thru Dec)

  • GEBS 635E: State and Federal Cannabis Laws & Policies – 2 credits
  • GEBS 690E: Health Science Capstone Practicum – 4 credits

Total to degree completion: 35 credit hours

MSBT Medical Cannabis Concentration Course Descriptions

Introduction to Medical Cannabis

This course will introduce students to the uses, production methods, law, and policies of medical cannabis.  Participants will explore both medical and non-medical uses of cannabis in the US and the many alternatives and benefits of production methods used to control the growth and development of cannabis and its purification. An overview of the uses of medical cannabis that contribute to dosing, side effects, precautions, drug interactions, and treatment of special or underrepresented populations will be provided along with the key attributes of laws that shape cannabis regulation in the US, states, and the contribution of advocacy.

Pharmacology of Animal and Plant Cannabinoids & Terpenes

This course explores endo-cannabinoid, phyto-cannabinoid, and human & cannabis terpene synthesis and metabolism (i.e., pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, dose-response, and drug tolerance and dependence), and receptor function. Key objectives of the course are that students will gain the expertise needed to assess cannabis strains constituents and mechanism and pharmacology behind their use to treat neurologic, psychiatric, behavioral, gastrointestinal, gynecologic, skeletomuscular, hematologic, and oncologic conditions.

Physiologic, Behavioral, and Social Effects of Cannabis

In this course, students will learn the potential negative effects and adverse events of cannabis use. Both medical and non-medical cannabis use will be explored, along with effects on the physiology (e.g., gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular), behavior (e.g., cognition), unintentional poisoning, impaired driving (e.g., sensorimotor), pediatric use, and more.  A key objective is for students to learn how to anticipate cannabis’ negative effects related to route of delivery, dosage, drug-drug interactions, medical history, and individual physiology & genetics and how best to use medical cannabis therapy safely.

State and Federal Cannabis Laws & Policies

This course will provide a detailed overview of the federal and state laws and/or policies that govern medical and non-medical cannabis production, distribution, and use. Students will learn about the constitutional law shaping cannabis federal regulation, the US Controlled Substances Act, and the current state legalization and the policy trends.  A key objective is for course participants to competent in how to identify and evaluate federal and state laws and policies to remain compliant with the ever-changing field of medical and non-medical cannabis.