6 EC
Semester 1, period 1
5224PLBB6Y
This course provides knowledge on recent developments in plant breeding and future prospects in plant biotechnology. A thorough understanding of plant breeding and genetic modification is linked to applications in various fields (crop improvement, functional food, medicines, soil remediation and biofuel production). After a general introduction into a field, recent papers covering new developments in biotechnology will be discussed by/with the participants. Students should get acquainted with technological challenges and possibilities of Plant Biotechnology. Through case studies, societal aspects of the application of current GM-crops will be discussed. Invited lectures from Plant Breeding companies will illustrate the state of the art in applied plant breeding.
The following subjects will be dealt with:
|
Activity |
Number of hours |
|
Computerpracticum |
8 |
|
Hoorcollege |
18 |
|
Presentatie |
16 |
|
Tentamen |
3 |
|
Vragenuur |
2 |
|
Werkcollege |
6 |
|
Zelfstudie |
107 |
|
Total 6 EC x 28 h |
160 |
Additional requirements for this course:
Attendance at lectures is highly recommended. Attendance of student presentations and group discussions/tutorials is mandatory. Attendance at computer practicals is mandatory.
Absence for any of the scheduled components is to be reported to the course coordinator in a timely manner and, if applicable, to the specific teacher(s).
| Item and weight | Details |
|
Final grade | |
|
1 (100%) Tentamen |
The exam is an "Open Book" type of exam. The powerpoints of the lectures, the paper reviews, the students presentation and the papers used in the assignments can be brought with you to the exam. You will have 8 question to answers that will test your knowledge and insight in the study matters.
The manner of inspection will be communicated via the lecturer's website.
Students individually prepare a presentation of a scientific paper and discuss the results in a broader context. There are four sessions with presentations. Students give feedback and will grade the presentation, the lecturer will give the final grade and feedback.
Those students that do not present a paper will be asked to give a short review of one of the papers that are presented by their peers. They will summarize the major findings of the paper and critically evaluate the results in a one page review. In this review future prospects of the research line will be discussed. The lecturer grades the paper and provides feedback.
Students receive a DNA sequence that they have to annotate (structure, function, on line data) and comment on with regard to the role of such a “candidate” gene in a specific process, for instance salt stress responses. Based on a tutorial students will fill in a report with regard to the gene under investigation. They work in teams of two students and hand in a digital report of their findings with regard to the gene assigned to them.
The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl
| Weeknummer | Onderwerpen | Studiestof |
| 1 | Modern Plant Breeding (lectures, tutorial, computer practical, presentations) | module 1 |
| 2 | Plant. domestication and biotechnology of functional foods (lectures, presentations) | module 2 and 3 |
| 3 | epigenetics and flower color and guest lecture (lectures, tutorial, computer practical) | module 4 and 5 |
| 4 | flower colour (presentations), question hour and exam | module 4, modules 1-5 |
| 5 | ||
| 6 | ||
| 7 | ||
| 8 |