Undergraduate Course: Genetic Improvement of Crops (VETS10037)
Course Outline
| School | Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The course develops the principles of genetics introduced in year 1 and Crop Production Systems in year 2. It provides an understanding of conventional and modern methods of plant breeding with an assessment of the advantages and limitations of each. The course will enable a realistic appraisal of the contribution that plant breeding can make towards increasing food production and agricultural efficiency. |
| Course description |
The aims of the course are to develop an understanding of the methods of plant breeding, its role in addressing the challenges facing UK and global agriculture and the mechanisms needed to achieve societal impact. The emphasis will be on conventional methods of plant breeding and how they might be assisted by advanced technologies such as genomic selection and genome editing.
The course will be illustrated with examples from major temperate and tropical crops as well as underutilized orphan crops. The following themes will be covered:
- Contribution of plant breeding to yield and quality of major crops; historical and future perspectives.
- Defining breeding objectives taking into consideration the views of different stakeholders, evolving global challenges and sustainability goals.
- Methods of breeding from conventional to advanced technologies.
- Approaches for matching breeding methods to crops, traits and systems.
- Phenotypic and genotypic selection techniques.
- Novel sources of variation; landraces, wild relatives, transformation technologies and genome editing.
- Ensuring breeding has the desired outcome; integrating breeding with methods for spreading innovation and promoting behavioural change.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Evaluate the contribution plant breeding has made and may continue to make to crop production;
- Apply methods of breeding appropriate for specific crops and breeding objectives;
- Explain the advantages and disadvantages of phenotypic and genotypic methods of selection;
- Critically appraise the factors determining the reach and impact of plant breeding.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Graduate attribute mindsets:
Enquiry and lifelong learning
Aspiration and personal development
Outlook and engagement
Graduate attribute skill groups
Research and enquiry
Personal and intellectual autonomy
Personal effectiveness
Communication
Illustrate how your course helps to form these attributes, not all courses will address all attributes, but the programme should provide ample opportunity to develop all.
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| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Peter Hoebe
Tel:
Email: peter.hoebe@sruc.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Gordon Littlejohn
Tel: (0131 6)51 7454
Email: Gordon.Littlejohn@ed.ac.uk |
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