Plant Growth and Development, 15 Credits

Contents

The course deals with developmental biology of plants and environmental constrains upon plant growth. Focus is on regulation of cell division, meristem activity, plant stem cells, embryogenesis and organogenesis, signal transduction and plant hormones. Molecular techniques such as recombinant DNA techniques, protein targeting, gene and protein expression analysis, and mutant screening are used. The course connects research at Umeå Plant Science Centre.

The course is divided into the following sections: Theory 9 ECTS, Literature study with seminar 3 ETCS, Practical 3 ETCS.

Expected learning outcomes

Module 1
After the course the students are expected to:
- Apply knowledge about the anatomy of primary and secondary growth and to distinguish molecular processes controlling cell division cell elongation and polarity establishment during plant growth and development.
- Understand basal principles concerning microscopy, including confocal laser scanning microscopy.
- Apply and analyze gene mapping in plants as well as both forward and reverse genetic methodology in plant model organisms.
- Apply knowledge about synthesis, transport and signal transduction of plant hormones and its importance for growth and development in plants.
- Apply knowledge about light perception and signaling as well as circadian control and its importance for growth and development in plants.
- Apply knowledge about environmental perception and signaling and its importance for growth and development in plants.
 
Module 2
After the course the students are expected to:
- Independently seek, analyze, evaluate and summarize this information in written reports and presentations in English.
 
Module 3
After the course the students are expected to:
- Independently perform practical experiment based on written manuals. Statistically analyze, summarize and interpret experimental data and present this in a written report.

Required Knowledge

90 ECTS credits, of which at least 15 ECTS credits are in the main area of chemistry and 60 ECTS credits in the main area of biology where at least 30 ECTS credits should be in plant biology and cell- and molecular biology. Swedish for basic eligibility for higher education programmes and English B/6. Requirements for Swedish only apply if the course is held in Swedish.

Form of instruction

Instruction is given through lectures, exercises, and seminars, where students are expected to participate actively. The course is given in English.

Examination modes

The final grade is based on the individual's performance in the examination as well as in the mandatory seminars and practicals. In order to pass the course all mandatory elements have to be fulfilled. Grades given are Fail, Underkänd (U), Passed, Godkänd (G) or Passed with distinction, Väl godkänd (VG) or U, 3, 4 or 5. Examination based on the same syllabus as at the ordinary examination is guaranteed during two years after the first registration to the course. Students who have passed an examination cannot redo the examination to receive a higher grade. When a student has failed an examination on two occasions, he or she has a right to have another grading teacher. A written request for an alternative examiner should be handed to the director of studies
 
Module 1
The module is examined by written exam in the end of the course. Students who failed the exam have the right to re-exam after the finishing of the course. Grades given are Fail, Underkänd (U), Passed, Godkänd (G) or Passed with distinction, Väl godkänd (VG) or U, 3, 4 or 5.
 
Module 2
Seminars are examined with active participation in mandatory scheduled activities and a presentation in the end of the course, where deep understanding of the presented original research activity is expected. Student who fail in the presentation will be offered a second opportunity after the course and if wanted the possibility to give the seminar the following time the course is given. Students who fail due to absence during mandatory scheduled activities are offered to participate the following time the course is given. Grades given are Grades given are Fail, Underkänd (U), Passed, Godkänd (G) or Passed with distinction, Väl godkänd (VG) or U, 3, 4 or 5.
 
Module 3
The module is examined with active participation in mandatory scheduled activities and reports to be handed in before the end of the course. Student who fail in the report will be offered a second opportunity after the end of the course. Students who fail due to absence during mandatory scheduled activities are offered to participate the following time the course is given. Grades given are Fail, Underkänd (U), Passed, Godkänd (G) or Passed with distinction, Väl godkänd (VG) or U, 3, 4 or 5.
 
Final grade is decided when all of the three modules have been done and individual grades for the modules are decided. For the final grade Passed, Godkännd (G) or 3 all modules must be passed with at least the grade Passed, Godkännd (G) or 3. For final grade Passed with distinction, Väl godkänd (VG) or 4 module 1 must be passed with grade Passed with distinction, Väl godkänd (VG) or 4 and module 2 or 3 have to be passed with grade Passed with distinction, Väl godkänd (VG) or 4.

For final grade 5 module 1 have to be passed with grade 5 and at both module 2 and 3 have to be passed with grade 4 or 5.

Deviations from the course syllabus examination form can be made for a student who has a decision on pedagogical support due to disability. Individual adaptation of the examination form should be considered based on the student's needs. The examination form is adapted within the framework of the expected syllabus of the course syllabus. At the request of the student, the course responsible teacher, in consultation with the examiner, must promptly decide on the adapted examination form. The decision must then be communicated to the student.

Other regulations

The literature list is not available through the web. Please contact the department.

In the event that the syllabus ceases to apply or undergoes major changes, students are guaranteed at least three examinations (including the regular examination opportunity) according to the regulations in the syllabus that the student was originally registered on for a period of a maximum of two years from the time that the previous syllabus ceased to apply or that the course ended.