Module Information

Module Identifier
BEM1505
Module Title
Plant Breeding 1 (Introduction)
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Distance Learning
Other Staff

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

Through a series of online lectures, guided reading and quizzes, students will look at:
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