THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2011/2012
- ARCHIVE as at 1 September 2011 for reference only
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Biological Sciences : Postgraduate

Postgraduate Course: Intelligent Agriculture (PGBI11066)

Course Outline
School School of Biological Sciences College College of Science and Engineering
Course type Standard Availability Available to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken) SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) Credits 10
Home subject area Postgraduate Other subject area None
Course website None Taught in Gaelic? No
Course description Agriculture is a fundamentally important aspect of modern biotechnology which will increase in importance during the next period of human evolution. The planet&©s population is predicted to peak at over 9 billion in the second half of this century. To provide food and dignified living conditions, agricultural productivity will have to increase 50% by 2030 and 70% by 2050. This task is extremely urgent and challenging, as it will have to coincide with a transition to more sustainable and less energy-intensive agricultural practices and be achieved with less agricultural land due to climate change and urbanisation. This course will focus on plants and explore the fundamental constraints and opportunities in sustainable food and bioenergy production, as well as the use of plants to supply high-value products.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisites None
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? No
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2011/12 Semester 1, Available to all students (SV1) WebCT enabled:  Yes Quota:  None
Location Activity Description Weeks Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
No Classes have been defined for this Course
First Class Week 1, Monday, 14:00 - 15:50, Zone: King's Buildings. Darwin 315
No Exam Information
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course a student should be able to:

&·Demonstrate advanced knowledge of constraints on, and possibilities of, agricultural practice and food production.
&·Demonstrate advanced knowledge of conventional and GM plant breeding.
&·Produce and critique rational strategies for achieving sustainable, high yield agriculture.
&·Demonstrate advanced knowledge of agro-biotech fuel and synthetic feed-stock production.
&·Demonstrate advanced knowledge of natural production of high value and pharma plant products.
Assessment Information
In-course proposal development and course essay. As part of this course, tutorial support (3-4 one hour sessions) on how to structure and write scientific essays will be given, including in-class writing exercises tailored to this course.
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Not entered
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list Not entered
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
Keywords Not entered
Contacts
Course organiser Dr David Arnot
Tel: (0131 6)50 5503
Email: D.E.Arnot@ed.ac.uk
Course secretary
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copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh - 1 September 2011 6:32 am