Ethno-Botany

Knowledge obtained in Secondary Education Biology courses and in the LTERN’s UCs Evolutionary Biology and English 1.

• Formal lectures.
• Release of study materials and practical exercises on ESAC’s e-learning platform.
• Field trips to observe and to collect material and information.
• Practical works in the laboratory and in the field.
• Use of apps and other IT tools.

Refer, summarize, and use botanical knowledge in anatomy, morphology, phylogeny, diversity, herborisation, plant identification

Refer the nature, evolution, and importance of ethnobotany

Refer and apply ethnobotany research principles and methods

List which parts of which plants are commonly used and for what purposes

Organize botanical and ethnobotanical knowledge as a resource for tourism

1. Development and anatomy
2. Phylogeny of the main plant taxonomic groups
3. Phytomorphology, identification of plants, recognition of characteristic examples, and differentiation of families
4. Ethnobotany e plantas úteis: methods and knowledge
5. Application of Botanical and Ethnobotanical knowledge to tourism activities: throughout the programme

Note: references to regulatory articles below refer to the ‘Academic Regulations for the 1st Cycle of Studies at the Coimbra Higher School of Agriculture’ of 3 September 2025.

Types of assessment

Assessment is carried out by ‘continuous assessment’ during the academic period or by ‘examination assessment’ during the examination period [Article 14].

Assessment during the academic period

Conditions for Passing Continuous Assessment in this UC

• There is no minimum attendance requirement for classes as a condition for passing (Article 17(2)), however, attendance is recorded.
• A minimum grade of 8 on a scale of 0 to 20 is required for each assessment instrument (Article 17(3)).
• Students who have not passed the continuous assessment are entitled to partial exemption from any of the exam periods, based on the total grade for each assessment tool, provided that this is equal to or higher than the minimum grade of 8. 
• The assessment tools from the previous academic year are not used (Article 17(8)).

Assessment tools: weighting, description, criteria

1. Mini-tests (duration < 20 min) [§ b) of Article 16]. Score: 0 to 12.
2. Practical test of morphological identification/characterisation. Score: 0 to 2.
3. Project work to implement a work proposal [Article 16(b)]. Score: 0 to 2. The ability to collect, select, interpret and transfer information will be valued.
4. Field and laboratory work [§ d) of Article 16]: work involving the collection of plant specimens, herbarium preparation and identification. Score: 0 to 2.
5. Attendance [§ a) of Article 16]: classification obtained in individual questions: score: 0 to 2.
6. Attendance [§ a) of Article 16]: Attendance, punctuality and participation in classes are valued [Article 12(1)] with a bonus in the final grade (up to a maximum of 20 points): 20% for less than three absences or 10% for less than five absences. Lack of punctuality, negative participation or misuse of electronic devices are considered absences, cumulatively, if they continue after a warning. Justification for absence does not confer physical presence in the class.

Remarks:

• The schedule for 1) to 4) will be proposed and agreed with students during the first two weeks of classes, together with the description and criteria divulgation.
• The result of each assessment will only be counted if the student is present throughout the entire class.
• The tests are carried out on the ESAC e-learning platform and may be made available in paper format upon justified request.

Assessment  during the examination period

Assessment tools: weighting, description, criteria

• Written, theoretical and practical examination [§ f) of Article 16]
• For situations in which students are able and wish to take advantage of partial exemption: theoretical or practical tests are made available to replace each of the assessment instruments used during the academic period and which students are unable or unwilling to exempt themselves from.

Clarification: in situations of partial exemption, partial grades obtained in one exam period are not transferable to the next.

NAO