Undergraduate Course: Crop Protection (VETS10038)
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 | This course will build on the Science for Agri-Food Systems courses in Year 1 and Crop Production Systems in year 2. It will provide students with a knowledge and comprehension of the principles of integrated crop protection for major pest, weed and disease problems in key crop types in a global context. |
Course description |
This course will build on the Science for Agri-Food Systems courses in Year 1 and Crop Production Systems in year 2. It will provide students with a knowledge and comprehension of the principles of integrated crop protection for major pest, weed and disease problems in key crop types in a global context.
The course will develop a specialist knowledge and understanding of crop health, and its evaluation, impact and management. It will enable students to design integrated crop protection strategies from an understanding of the biology and epidemiology of major weeds, pests and pathogens in key crop types and groupings in a global context. The main themes covered will include:
- Biology and epidemiology of agents (and their main drivers) causing crop health issues and their impact on crop productivity / food security.
- Detection and identification of agents detrimental to crop health.
- An understanding of the nature and diversity of crop health interactions and the mechanisms by which they influence crop growth, yield and quality.
- Risk assessment and forecasting methods in the context of crop health / crop productivity and decision making.
- Specialist knowledge on crop health interventions and the assessment of impact from interventions (social, economic and environmental).
- Development of integrated strategies for crop health management taking into account their acceptability to users and their impact on agricultural and non-agricultural ecosystems.
- Knowledge of the relevance of crop health to sustainability and food security.
- An understanding of potential drivers of behaviours such as statutory plant health measures, stewardship options and pesticide development / legislation.
This course will be delivered by a series of lectures, tutorials, laboratory classes and practicals. When available, trial site visits (or videos) will be utilised to demonstrate different crop protection options, and how they may influence crop health and productivity.
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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:
- Explain the main impacts arising from biotic agents affecting crop health and production;
- Use appropriate diagnostic skills and tools to identify biotic factors affecting plant health;
- Critically appraise integrated control options for selected crop types and production systems;
- Analyse the economic, environmental and social drivers of crop protection practice.
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Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
Course organiser | Dr Neil Havis
Tel:
Email: neil.havis@sruc.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Gordon Littlejohn
Tel: (0131 6)51 7454
Email: Gordon.Littlejohn@ed.ac.uk |
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