| Unit name | Agricultural Biotechnology |
|---|---|
| Unit code | BIOL31129 |
| Credit points | 10 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Andy Bailey |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None, but we recommend that students should normally have taken 120cps of appropriate Level 2 units in Biological Sciences including BIOL20005 Molecular Methodology for Biologists and BIOL20008 Plant Disease. |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Biological Sciences |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
Agriculture has gone through some major changes through the history of man, and it is said that one of the biggest revolutions is currently underway with the application of biotechnology to crop production. However, as well as attracting attention because of the claimed benefits of this technology, this area of science has also attracted some of the greatest media attention and public interest of any branch of science in recent years. This unit will cover a number of specific examples of the application of biotechnology in agriculture such as, the production of novel products in plants (for example industrial and pharmaceutical proteins), the generation of transgenic plants resistant to pathogen attack, and improved yield and quality of crops. The unit will try and explain why biotechnology is seen to be needed in agriculture, as well as discussing some of the ethical and biosafety issues which surround this area of science. N.B. It is recommended that students should have taken BIOL 20005 Molecular Methodology for Biologists and BIOL 20008 Plant Disease.
Aim:
To cover a number of specific examples of the application of biotechnology in agriculture.
On completion of the unit, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the scientific mechanisms of plant breeding, molecular plant pathology and other areas of molecular biology/genetic engineering as well as an awareness of the ethical/moral debate.
Lectures, interactive seminars/workshops and independent study.
End of Year exam (100%)
Most of the lecture material for the specific subjects considered in this Unit is taken from research papers and is not covered in any one textbook. You will receive a list of references at the start of teaching for this unit.
As background to this Unit, you will find a range of general textbooks in the library. Amongst these, you will find a good coverage of basic information in Plant Biotechnology by Slater et al., as a main primrary text.
