Crop Biotechnology

Programme Outline

In this century, food security and the need to develop sustainable agriculture will become dominant issues affecting mankind throughout the world. There are already severe problems with agricultural production in some countries and these will become more widespread as the global population increases and further pressure is placed on agricultural land. In addition, global warming will impact on crop production. During the last century scientists were able to develop productive new crop varieties but further development is needed to address the above problems. Moreover, it will become increasingly necessary to employ biotechnological approaches to produce novel genotypes. This degree programme is intended to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to develop careers in crop biotechnology.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

• give students the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to pursue a career related to crop biotechnology
• give students detailed knowledge and understanding about key topics in crop biotechnology
• enable students to develop research skills in the laboratory through practical tuition and a research project
• enhance students’ conceptual, analytical and presentation skills
• encourage students to develop an independent approach to learning

Intended Learning Outcomes

The course provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas. By the end of the course students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding:

• critically discuss key topics in crop biotechnology with reference to the relevant scientific literature
• critically appraise advanced methods and technologies used in crop biotechnology
• explain fundamental concepts of business structures, business plans and intellectual property relevant to crop biotechnology
• undertake research on defined topics in crop biotechnology
• critically discuss the ethical issues raised by crop biotechnology

Skills and Other Attributes:

Subject-specific/practical skills
• apply the principles of good experimental design and data interpretation to their own research projects
• demonstrate the acquisition of general laboratory skills and specific practical research skills related to crop biotechnology 
• select and perform relevant statistical analyses on data obtained from their own research

Intellectual skills
• identify, summarise and critically evaluate published research findings on a specific topic
• appraise their own research findings and place them in the context of existing knowledge with reference to the scientific literature
• identify areas where further research is necessary
• demonstrate an ability to learn independently

Transferable/key skills
• demonstrate oral communication skills by giving clear, well constructed presentations on advanced topics
• produce well structured and clearly written reports of published information and research findings
• use appropriate computer programmes to search databases, analyse data and present information
• plan and manage time effectively to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines
• work cooperatively with colleagues and develop interpersonal and teamwork skills

Learning and Teaching Approaches

• Advanced theoretical knowledge and understanding will be taught through lectures, tutorials and research seminars, supported by directed study and critical discussion of the scientific literature.
• Practical skills will be developed through laboratory classes and an individual, closely supervised, research project. This learning will be supported through laboratory manuals and protocols, as well as individual tuition during the research project.
• Intellectual skills will be developed through research seminars, tutorials and workshops, where students will present and discuss critically the findings of research papers, through specific assignments and the dissertation, where students need to research and collate information, and through undertaking the research project.
• Transferable skills, such as oral and written communication skills, will be developed through presentations, poster preparation and writing the reports and dissertation.