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Field Assistant Training (FAT) Program Medicinal Plant Courses This program is divided into two courses; a 3 unit self-study course (Field Assistant Self Study Training) designed to provide the theoretical training you required to participate on any Expedition or project. Graduates of this course are eligible to apply to the second course called the Advanced Field Assistant Self Study Training course. The advanced course provides the practical training and is set up as a 26 day field course where you learn how to study some of the more common medicinal plants which may be encountered in the Central America. This course is taught between two study sites in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Course #1: Medicinal Plant Field Assistant Self Study Training (FASST) Course This uniquely designed self-study course which allows potential applicants the opportunity to gain the required skills necessary to become a Field Assistant Trainee and join Expeditions and projects. This course covers the field identification of medicinal plants along with their values and uses by Nepali people. Emphasis will be given to the more common plant Families and Genera of the eastern half of North America. The course is divided into 3 units of academic material. The course may be taken by correspondence via regular mail. You will learn the basics of conducting field work, field identification techniques and medicinal plant uses and properties. Once you have completed your course work and have been awarded a Certificate of Completion you may then apply to EARTHQUEST for AFASST Course. The course summary is outlined below; Unit #1: Field Identification Techniques; Vascular Medicinal Plant Families Common vascular medicinal plant families of Nepal. How to identify to family level based on floral arrangement, leaves and flower colouration Family characteristics and traits Unit #2: Field Identification Techniques; Vascular Medicinal Plant Generas We will learn how to identify common vascular medicinal plant Genera of Nepal How to identify based on physical characteristics specific to the Genera Unit #3: Medicinal Plant Properties, Values and Uses Use of medicinal plant Generas Use of specific species of medicinal plants to help alleviate ailments Course #2: Advanced Medicinal Plant Field Assistant Self Study Training (AFASST) equivalent Course Once you have completed your FASST Course and received your Certificate of Completion you may then apply to the AFASST Course and receive 26 days of practical field training and instruction. Both Course #1 & 2 are required in order to apply to EARTHQUEST for Field Assistant (FA) positions on projects related to medicinal plants or ethnobotany. Students of this course are trained in all aspects of field research on medicinal plants which may be found in Central America, A course summary is outlined below; This course will be divided into two portions: two weeks in Costa Rica and two weeks in Nicaragua. This will allow students to be exposed to four distinct ecological systems: rain forest dry forest cloud forest swamplands This course will provide students who are considering a career involving fieldwork in the tropics to experience the joys and hardships they can expect, but in a relatively benign atmosphere. The course will also include valuable techniques such as map making and characterization of the forests, as well as plant identification.  E-mail: earthquestcanada@yahoo.com Executive Director & Senior Instructor D. Jolly, B.Sc. EARTHQUEST (Canada) for the Environment 8122 Rogers Rd. S., RR #5 Aylmer, Ontario, Canada N5H 2R4 ©copyright EARTHQUEST (Canada) for the Environment Website designed and maintained by D. Jolly Last Updated 06/02/07