PHP-31306 Current Topics in Plant Biotechnology

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Completed BSc that is relevant to the MSc Plant Biotechnology.

Contents:

This course links various aspects of the courses, the MSc thesis and internship within MPB. Special attention is given to overarching and current topics that are relevant to the field of plant biotechnology. The course runs throughout the entire MSc-programme, allowing students to form a community of learners that focus on the societal, environmental, ethical, legal, IPR and social-economic aspects of plant biotechnology, taking the various technologies as a starting point. Essentially, three main issues will be leading: (1) what is possible within Plant Biotechnology (the technology), (2) what is allowed within Plant Biotechnology (concerning environmental safety regulations, for example) and (3) what will be accepted by society (the societal debate).
- students will meet each other regularly to discuss current technologies and topics in plant biotechnology;
- there will be discussions and debate on ethics and philosophical issues;
- students will organise thematic evenings with Experts/ Guest speakers, who will present relevant topics and research innovations, open for discussion.
The core of the course is formed by five evening sessions per academic year, which will be combined with individual and group activities to prepare, process, evaluate and reflect on these sessions. Each session is a module of 1 ECTS and during the MSc Plant Biotechnology a total of 6 modules should be followed. The evening sessions will be organised once every period (with periods 3 and 4 taken together as one period), on the 4th Tuesday of each period (and the 1st Tuesday of period 4).

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- give an overview of current topics, developments and debates in plant biotechnology;
- organise a thematic meeting related to a current topic in the field of plant biotechnology and reflect on this activity with a group of students;
- reflect on knowledge generation and learning processes;
- understand the meaning of ethics in research;
- understand the steps involved in development of new technologies and applications in plant biotechnology.

Activities:

- participating in the evening sessions is connected to interactive activities, group work, organisation of and participating in thematic sessions, literature study, presentation of research proposals (poster sessions/ conferences), role play, documentary/ debate session, essay writing.
- students are also expected to reflect on the presentations of the evening sessions by writing a short reflection paper that they post on Blackboard. All activities are supported by an interactive blackboard site.

Examination:

Marks will be given for reflection papers; essays; poster presentations; oral presentations; organisation of and performance in thematic sessions.
All components have to be completed with a mark of 5.5 or higher.

Literature:

All course information is available on an interactive Blackboard-site.