College of Letters and Science
Cannabis Science Certificate
Undergraduate Certificate
PREPARED TO LEAD IN A GROWING INDUSTRY
The unique UW-Stevens Point Cannabis Science Certificate is now newly available to undergraduate students! Students will gain fundamental knowledge in the science of cannabis; everything from the complex social and legal landscape of cannabis cultivation to plant horticulture and phytochemistry is covered.
UWSP offers the only certificate program in cannabis science in the Universities of Wisconsin with devoted expert faculty who are immersed in the research and science of cannabis. Best of all, for your convenience, the program is fully online!
Complete the 9-credit program in as little as 16 weeks and become a leader in this fast-paced industry!
Why Study Cannabis Science at UWSP?
The legal cannabis industry is a $25 billion dollar market and projected to grow to $45 billion by 2025. For five years in a row, employment in the industry increased by greater than 27 percent with more than 280 new jobs created every day last year (Leafly Jobs Report 2022). Earning your Cannabis Science Certificate positions you to secure jobs related to the growth of the market across the U.S.
Reputation as Research Leaders
Faculty in the UWSP Departments of Biology and Chemistry are immersed in cannabis-based research and are passionate about uncovering essential knowledge about cannabis.
Current areas of research include:
- Phytoremediation of contaminated soils
- Agronomic approaches to optimizing plant growth and phytochemical production
- Comparing feral and modern-day cultivars
- Ebb and flow and deep water culture hydroponics
- Cannabis pathology
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CURRICULUM
The Cannabis Science Certificate program curriculum includes three 3-credits courses for a total of 9 credits. After completing the program you will be able to:
- Discuss the historical, sociological, and legal aspects of cannabis cultivation and use.
- Explain the ways cannabis products are used or have been used in the past.
- Describe the biology and ecology of cannabis.
- Explain modern horticultural techniques used to cultivate cannabis.
- Justify the selection of analytical testing methods for cannabis and its products.
- Explain the pharmacology of cannabis compounds in the human body.
- Evaluate the credibility of resources related to cannabis science.
- Apply scientific resources related to cannabis science.
Courses:
BIOL 401 (3 cr.): Introduction to Cannabis Science: This course will provide a broad introduction to Cannabis Science, including the history of Cannabis cultivation, social and legal controversies surrounding Cannabis, and the many ways in which Cannabis is used.
Offered during the first 8 weeks of Fall and Spring semesters.
BIOL 402 (3 cr.): Cannabis Biology, Ecology, and Horticulture: This course will cover the anatomy, physiology, taxonomy, and ecology of Cannabis, and a variety of important topics related to growing and harvesting Cannabis successfully.
Prerequisite: BIOL 401 (or concurrent registration)
Offered during the second 8 weeks of Fall and Spring semesters.
BIOL 403 (3 cr.): Cannabis Phytochemistry: This course will cover the complex phytochemistry of Cannabis, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, and the modern-day techniques used to extract and quantify them.
Prerequisite: BIOL 401 (or concurrent registration)
Offered during the second 8 weeks of Fall and Spring semesters.
Current UWSP students should contact us at cannscienceinfo@uwsp.edu for information on how to enroll.
Step 1: Apply to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point on the UW application.
- Select “No” when the question populates about whether you are seeking a degree.
- Select “Undergraduate” when the question populates about whether you plan to take undergraduate or graduate courses.
- Select “UW-Stevens Point” campus and then “Cannabis Science Undergraduate Certificate.”
Step 2: Activate UWSP Account and Enroll in Classes
- Once you have been accepted into the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, you will be emailed instructions to set up your student account and register for classes.
- Cannabis Science courses require instructor consent before you can register. Please email cannscienceinfo@uwsp.edu to request permission to register.
- Register for your classes in accesSPoint.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact us at cannscienceinfo@uwsp.edu! We are happy to talk with you.
Pending UW System approval, pricing for the Cannabis Science Certificate is coming soon.
The industry is poised to make tremendous employment gains, and states with legalized cannabis continue to add jobs at double-digit rates. The industry currently supports 428,000 jobs with a predicted 1.5 million or more positions in a mature U.S. legal cannabis market. Career paths include jobs related to cultivation and harvest, sales, laboratory technician, regulatory compliance, manufacturing, and more.
MEET YOUR FACULTY
Our faculty members are leading professionals in their fields of study and work very hard to provide a high-quality educational experience using an up-to-date curriculum.
Brian Barringer
- Professor
- Chair, Department of Biology
715-346-2452
School of Biology, Chemistry, and Biochemistry