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BIOL3611: CROPS FOR THE FUTURE

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Current modules are subject to change in light of the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19.

Type Open
Level 3
Credits 20
Availability Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Biosciences

Prerequisites

  • Level 2 Molecular Biology (BIOL2441) OR Level 2 Plant and Algal Physiology (BIOL2571)

Corequisites

  • At least one other Level 3 Biological Sciences Module selected from the following list: Advanced Topics in Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour BIOL3561, Conservation Biology BIOL3551, Ecology in the Anthropocine BIOL3541, Advanced Topics in Development BIOL3521, Stress and Responses to the Environment BIOL3491, Biochemistry and Biotechnology BIOL3601, Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering BIOL3531, Ageing BIOL3591, Advanced Cell Biology BIOL3481, Biology of Disease BIOL3621, Genomics BIOL3651.

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To present an overview of current research into improving plant productivity in agriculture, based on a historical perspective of crop selection and breeding.
  • To explore the bases of factors determining crop performance in the field.
  • To review modern technologies for crop improvement.

Content

  • The origins of agriculture; plant selection and breeding.
  • Crop improvement technologies; molecular plant breeding and plant genetic engineering.
  • Plant productivity and yield limitations.
  • Crop protection; biotic and abiotic stresses.
  • Reprogramming plant processes; metabolic engineering.
  • New technologies, sustainable agriculture and global food shortages.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Knowledge of molecular techniques used in plant breeding.
  • Advanced knowledge of plant biochemistry in relation to production of primary and secondary metabolites, in relation to production of food, fuels and high value products such as pharmaceuticals.
  • Advanced knowledge of plant genetic engineering and its practical applications.
  • Knowledge of the ways in which new technologies are being deployed in world agriculture.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • To be able to interpret and analyse data from plant breeding and plant transformation experiments.
  • To be able to analyse experimental schemes for altering plant phenotype by making specific changes to the genome.
  • To be able to integrate information from different sources to form a balanced view of the use of new technologies in agriculture.

Key Skills:

  • Literacy, in being able to consult and extract information from printed and on-line archives.
  • Data analysis, in interpretation and critical analysis of data relevant to crop improvement.
  • Self-motivation, in self-guided learning.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Lectures deliver subject-specific knowledge.
  • Workshops support the development of key and subject-specific skills.
  • Self-guided learning contributes to subject-specific knowledge and self-motivation.
  • Reports / Data Handling Exercises are based on subject-specific knowledge.
  • Unseen examinations demonstrate achievement of the appropriate level of subject-specific knowledge of development, with an emphasis on understanding and communication (essay and problem-based questions).

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures24Weekly2 hours p/w24 
Workshops2Termly1 hour2Yes
Preparation & Reading174 
Total200 

Summative Assessment

Component: ExaminationComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Unseen formal examination 2 hours100No

Formative Assessment

2 formative examination exercises of 1 hr each.

More information

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