This course provides students with practical laboratory skills used in crop biotechnology.

Students will attend a series of laboratory sessions throughout Semester 2.

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The assessment is via an in-depth critical written report on the laboratory work (100%).

Specifically, this course aims to:

■ provide students with practical skills used in biotechnological approaches to improve crops;

■ enable students to critically appraise data obtained in crop biotechnology research in relation to the methods used to obtain them;

■ enhance students' conceptual, analytical, data presentation and report writing skills.

Knowledge and Understanding

■ explain and critically appraise state-of-the-art technologies used in crop biotechnology;

■ critically evaluate the theory underlying the techniques used for introduction of DNA into plant cells and regeneration of transformed plants;

■ explain the basis of laboratory protocols for methods in crop biotechnology.

Skills and Other Attributes

On completion of the programme, students will be able to:

Subject-specific/practical skills

■ design and execute laboratory experiments to address questions in crop biotechnology;

Intellectual skills

■ plan laboratory experiments in crop biotechnology;

■ interpret data obtained in the laboratory and critically appraise their significance in preparation for writing a laboratory report;

■ present laboratory data in a form suitable for inclusion in a publication or report;

■ critically evaluate published data obtained in crop biotechnology research in relation to the methods used to produce them;

Transferable/key skills

■ manage time effectively to conduct experiments in the laboratory;

■ work effectively with others to complete a laboratory experiment;

■ write a well structured and carefully written report on work undertaken in the laboratory;

■ plan and manage time effectively by prioritising tasks and meeting deadlines.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.