Entry requirements

120 credits including alternative 1) 40 credit points/60 credits biology and 20 credit points/30 credits chemistry or 20 credit points/30 credits earth sciences; alternative 2) 60 credit points/90 credits biology.

Learning outcomes

After having completed the course the student should be able to:

• account for mechanisms that control development under the life cycle of the plant
• explain how environmental factors are integrated and influence the development of plants
• discuss applications of basic plant research to growth and development of plants within agriculture and horticulture
• review and present critically publications on current plant research
• carry out, evaluate and present experiments with wild-type mutant and transgenic plant material, with methods as genetic analysis, reporter gene analysis, SEM and confocal microscopy, in situ hybridisation and different PCR-based methods. For students who take the course as starting course for the Master's Programme in Biology, an Introduction to Master Studies is included. After passing this part of the course, the student should
• be aware of the ethical aspects of research and development, including questions of plagiarism
• demonstrate understanding of the possibilities and limitations of biology and its role in society
• be able to identify his/her need of further knowledge.

Content

The course focuses on mechanisms on the molecular, cell and organism level that control the different phases in the development of the plant such as embryogenesis, germination, vegetative growth and reproductive growth.

Instruction

The teaching consists of lectures, literature assignments, seminars and laboratory research projects. A literature project, linked to the laboratory work, is also included in the course. Students taking the Introduction to Master Studies, which runs as a seminar series during the course, carry out shorter extensive literature projects. Participation in literature assignments/literature projects, seminars and laboratory research projects is compulsory.

Assessment

Parts of the course: Theory 7 credits; Laboratory work 4 credits; Literature project 4 credits alternatively Literature project 2 credits and Introduction to Master Studies 2 credits

The theory part is examined by a written examination and requires active participation in seminars. The module Laboratory work requires laboratory reports, followed up by an oral presentation. The Literature project is presented both orally and in writing. The Introduction to Master Studies requires active participation in seminars, a written report, and the completion of a study plan.