YPS-83318 BSc Thesis Plant Production and Ecology

Course

Credits 18.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Thesis
Course coordinator(s)dr. AGJ Kuipers
Lecturer(s)scientific staff Plant Sciences chair groups
Examiner(s)dr. AGJ Kuipers

Language of instruction:

Dutch and/or English

Assumed knowledge on:

Courses of the BSc programme Plant Sciences. This element can only be taken with permission of the study adviser, based on sufficient study progress.

Contents:

The BSc thesis Plant Production and Ecology is the concluding course of the BSc programme Plant Sciences, and focuses on the planning, preparation and performance of a research project in the field of plant sciences. A database is available to choose a suitable project (http://tip.wur.nl). Students learn how to design a research project by orientation on the problem through literature study, defining the research question and preparation of a project proposal including a planning of the research work. In this process they are supervised by a scientific staff member. Based on their project proposal students perform experiments to collect scientific data. In this phase they participate in meetings of their research group. Data processing, analysis and discussion will be the basis of the final thesis report. The BSc thesis will be presented written and orally in BSc thesis sessions for fellow BSc-students. During this course the students write a reflection report on their personal learning goals and study progress during the BSc and prepare a future study plan.

Learning outcomes:

The BSc thesis is the concluding element of the BSc Plant Sciences. After completion of this course the student is expected to be able to:
- reflect on study progress, individual learning goals, preferences related to the field of study and preparation a future study plan;
- survey, apply and integrate relevant academic knowledge regarding a current topic in the field of Plant Sciences; - perform literature search and literature study;
- design a research project (including theoretical background, problem definition, design of research plan, project planning) at BSc-level;
- perform independent research work under supervision (including experimental methods, data; processing, trouble shooting, active participation in research group meetings) at BSc-level;
- write and present an academic report at BSc-level in a clear and understandable way.

Activities:

- analysis of learning goals and preferences with respect to BSc thesis work;
- independent literature search;
- performing research;
- preparation of a detailed project proposal and project plan on a topic in the field of Plant Sciences;
- oral and written presentation and discussion of research data.

Examination:

The BSc Thesis Plant Production and Ecology is evaluated and graded by the supervisor and the examiner according to an evaluation protocol that is described in the study guide.

Literature:

Available in the study guide.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Compulsory for: BPWPlant SciencesBScB: Plant Production and Ecology1,2,3,4,5,6