NEM-10306 Introduction Plant Sciences

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch

Continuation courses:

CSA-10806 Introduction Quantitative Agro-ecology, NEM-10806 Orientation Plant Sciences.

Contents:

This course is intended for first year students of the bachelor Plant Sciences. It is an introduction into the broad field of plant sciences. The students will become acquainted with agronomy, horticulture, plant diseases, plant breeding, botany and plant taxonomy. The course is divided in modules that each introduce a plant sciences discipline. For each module the students will work in groups on a case study. In successive case studies the students will discover the interdependency of the plant sciences disciplines. The central objective is that the student learns that plants can solve many of the problems that society currently faces. Examples of problems are the world food situation, plants in relation to human health and threatening plant diseases. Hence, the relation between plant sciences and society forms a central element of the course.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of the course students are expected to be able to:
- summarize basic elements of the different disciplines that together form the domain of Plant Sciences;
- explain the (role of the) plant sciences in the (societal) context of world food issues, food supply, human health aspects, technological development and sustainable development;
- use collected scientific information from the domain of Plant Sciences to disentangle a relevant (basic) problem case;
- explain the relation between landscape and land use;
- summarize the functioning of agricultural research organizations, plant breeding industries and agricultural support organizations;
- apply the knowledge of the morphology and taxonomy of crop plants.

Activities:

- tutorials;
- (field) excursions;
- problem-based learning;
- practicals and project work.

Examination:

- written test in Blackboard after each module with a varying number of multiple choice and open questions (60%);
- report of, active participation in and oral presentation of the group project (40%);
- an assignment for information literacy (0%).
The average for all written tests should be 5.5, with a minimum mark for each written test of 5.5, however, it's is allowed to score one 5 for a test that may to be compensated by (a) mark(s) of other test. The minimum mark for group project is 5.5. The assignment for information literacy should be concluded with a pass to pass the course as a whole.

Literature:

Will be made available during the course on Blackboard.