Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Written assignment Passmark of 50% 1500 Words | 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Written assignment Passmark of 50% 1500 Words | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the drivers of plant breeding and the need for clear breeding programme objectives.
Differentiate between a range of plant life histories and reproductive strategies.
Brief description
This module provides an overview of what a plant breeder needs to know before embarking on a breeding programme. We will look at the evolution and selection of the world’s major crop species and evaluate the importance of plant breeding programmes in relation to the drivers that are affecting today’s food system. We will then focus on plant reproductive biology, looking at a range of plant life histories and reproductive strategies, so that this can be related to cultivar type.
Content
Introduction to Plant Breeding -
• Discuss what a plant breeder needs to know before embarking on a breeding programme.
• Describe the evolution and selection of the world’s major crop species.
• Evaluate the importance of plant breeding programmes in relation to the drivers that are affecting today’s food system.
• Plant Reproductive Biology.
• Differentiate between a range of plant life histories and reproductive strategies.
• Relate plant reproductive biology to cultivar type.
• Evaluate the potential of apomixis in plant breeding.
Learning will be tested with formative quizzes and by a summative masters level quiz at the end of the module
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Creative Problem Solving | The written assessment will pose questions that present theoretical problems for the students to solve. |
| Critical and analytical thinking | Students will be expected to synthesise complex information |
| Digital capability | Students will be required to examine and synthesize quantitative data from a range of publications and databases to develop answers for their written assessment. |
| Real world sense | This module will provide the students with and introduction to plant breeding and plant reproductive biology; they will be assessed on their understanding of this information. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Students will evaluate the importance of plant breeding programmes in meeting the challenges of food security |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7