Project course in plant biology, 15 Credits

Contents

Registration for the course requires that the student, in cooperation with a supervisor, has written a course plan for the course that contains a timetable that complies with the expected study results and approved by the course coordinator. The student is part of a research group during the project as a trainee responsible for a separate sub-project. The goal for the sub-project can be defined freely according to the course objectives and the project work is dimensioned as a research project corresponding to 100 percent study rate for ten weeks. Training in research accounting is included as part of the course content and in cases when the main supervisor is not available a substitute supervisor should be appointed. For students who apply for this course from other places than Umeå, it is recommended that the student has contact with the supervisor at least two months before the start of the course.
 

Expected learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:

• demonstrate a deeper understanding related to at least one of the following areas of plant biology: plant physiology, plant molecular biology, plant genetics, bioinformatics or plant chemistry.
• outline the relevance of the project in a broader field of research of a plant biological nature
• summarize and explain the techniques relevant to executing  the project.
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of basic biological and technical nomenclature relevant to the project's orientation
• carry out laboratory work (in theory, analytically or helped by computer science) and summarize scientific articles for reports in the field of plant biology,
• account for relevant physiological and / or molecular processes or for potential effects of  environmental factors (process related, biotic, abiotic or similar) that may have affected the outcome of the project,
• report for possible risks with the project and be able to evaluate the results of the work based on value and sustainability relevance.

Required Knowledge

Chemistry, 15 ECTS, Biochemistry, 15 ECTS, Basic and Molecular Genetics , 15 ECTS, and Cell Biology and Physiology, 15 ECTS, or equivalent.

Form of instruction

Teaching includes laboratory and/or field work, group discussions, regular meetings with the supervisor, and guidance in oral and written research documentation and accounting.

Examination modes

The expected learning outcomes of the course are examined in accordance with the following regulations.

The course is examined through the following tests:

1. a written report that complies with current guidelines for the Department of Physiological Botany. ​The report should be written in a scientifically understandable Swedish or English after agreement with the course coordinator. All parts should follow scientific established guidelines.
2. an oral presentation. Depending on the course size opposition of accounting students can be included in the reporting as part of the presentation event.

Results on the course will only be decided when all tests have been completed. The course is assessed with any of the results approved (G) or failed (U). For the result approved (G) on the course, all tests must be assessed with the least result approved (G). For students who have not been approved at the regular exam opportunity, a new examination opportunity will be held in accordance with Umeå University's Rules for Grades and Examination at the Undergraduate and Advanced Level (FS 1.1.2-553-14). The first re-examination is offered no later than two months after the regular trial. Except in cases where regular examinations take place in May or June, a first re-examination opportunity will be offered within three months after the regular exam date. In addition, at least one re-examination is offered within one year from the regular trial.

In cases where a test can not be repeated in accordance with the applicable rules for re-examination, it should instead be replaced by another assignment. The scope and content of such information shall be proportionate to the failed test.

A student who has passed two tests for a course or part of a course without the approved results is entitled to have another examiner appointed, unless special reasons speak against it (Chapter 6, Section 22, HF). The request for a new examiner is addressed to the head at the Department of Plant Physiology.
 

Other regulations

Crediting
Students have the right to have their previous education or equivalent knowledge and skills acquired in the profession tested whether it can be credited for the corresponding course at Umeå University. Application for credit is submitted to the Student Centre / Examinations. For more information on credit transfer available on Umeå University's student web, www.student.umu.se, and the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 6). A refusal of accreditation may be appealed against (Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 12) to the University Appeals Board. This applies to the whole as well as part of the application if accreditation is refused.