Module Details

Module Code: BIOT7015
Title: Crop Biotechnology
Long Title: Crop Biotechnology
NFQ Level: Intermediate
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2018/19 ( September 2018 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4218 - Biotechnology
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: Crops are the primary sources of all Agricultural products securing energy from sun light. This module discovers the exciting cutting edge advances in crop biotechnology underlying future sustainable Agricultural production solutions.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Critique the application of biotechnology in sustainable crop production
LO2 Evaluate the scope of crop traits and mode of action for biotechnological improvement
LO3 Explain tissue culture platforms for advanced crop breeding
LO4 Perform laboratory practicals, analyse, collate and report on data generated.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Crop Challenges: where biotechnology has a role in sustainability
Biotic challenges: mammal, insect, bird and other pests, bacteria, fungii, viruses, phytoplasma causing disease, parasitic plants and bioprospecting for natural existing resistance using biotechnological methods. Abiotic stresses: drought, flooding, cold, heat, wind, salt, pollution, Climate change, impoverished soils lacking essential nutrients, higher atmospheric CO2 impacts, human created radioactivity, yield, biofortification.
Crop Improvement methodology
Creation of variation, selection, evaluation, release, multiplication and distribution of improved crops. Marker assisted selection. Reverse breeding and double haploids. Protoplast fusion. Embryo rescue and assisted pollination. Genomics. Bioinformatics. Agrobacterium and biolistic transformation, Gene editing in crops. Proteomics and their role in plant improvement. Mutagenesis, polyploidy, genome editing, RNA interference.
Distinct nature of crops
Special challenges of genetic manipulation of crops (in comparison to animal or microbes): cell wall, phenolics, cytoplasm,
Crop biotechnology process
Selection of vigorous and healthy material, plant cells, tissues and organs culture in propagation and crop improvement,special laboratory facilities and growth rooms, PAR lighting, atmospheric co2, humidity, ethylene and other, special greenhouse technology
Genetically modified crops
Genetically modified crop species worldwide: background, whole crop linked system approaches, lists of crops modified and process to commercialization, commercially released crops, crop traits improved: herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, fungal and bacterial disease causing resistance, single and stacked traits, other traits such as flower colour in ornamental s, food crop quality nutrient content (olecic acid, stearidonic acid, other) , starch accumilation, storage & logistics benefits e.g. delayed softening, drought, heat tolerance. distribution of commercialisation worldwide, transgenic, cisgenic, subgenic.
Evaluation of crop genetics
Molecular genetic, morphological and phenotype (phenomics) analysis using computer aided vision.
Safety testing and government regulation
Regulation and security around GM and other crop breeding products. DAFM, FSAI, , FSA in UK, USDA, EPA, FDA in USA
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 7 Learning Outcomes 1,3
Assessment Description
Crop biotechnological processes
Assessment Type Multiple Choice Questions % of Total Mark 40
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Assessment Description
Advanced crop breeding
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 3,4
Assessment Description
Tissue culture and biotechnology skills
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Critique crop biotechnology Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Developing tissue culture and crop breeding understanding in lab or commercial lab visit Every Second Week 2.00 4
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Exploring book and current peer reviewed periodical Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 9.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
This module has no Part Time workload.
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • George Acquaah. (2012), Principles of Plant Genetics and Breeding, 2nd. Wiley Blackwell, [ISBN: 978-047066475].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Sajad Majeed Zargar, Vandna Rai. (2017), Plant OMICS and Crop Breeding, Apple Academic Press, USA, p.468, [ISBN: 9781315365930].
  • George, E., Hall, M.A. and De Klerk, G. J.. (2009), Plant Propagation by Tissue Culture, Springer, Netherlands, [ISBN: 978-904817252].
  • Alan C. Cassells, Peter B. Gahan. (2006), Dictionary of plant tissue culture, Food Products Press New York, [ISBN: 978-156022918].
  • Stewart, C.N. Jr.. (2016), Plant Biotechnology and Genetics: Principles, Techniques, and Applications, 2nd. Wiley-Blackewll, [ISBN: 9781118820124].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • D. Duncan and Ewen Mulllins. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Plant In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Plant, [ISSN: 1054-5476].
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_SAGBI_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Agri-Biosciences 5 Mandatory
CR_SAGBI_7 Bachelor of Science in Agri-Biosciences 5 Mandatory