PLNT*6250 Colloquium in Plant Genetics and Breeding

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The following description is for the course offering in Fall 2022 and is subject to change. It is provided for information only. The course outline distributed to the class at the beginning of the semester describes the course content and delivery, and defines the methods and criteria to be used in establishing the final grades for the course.
 

An open discussion course designed to review and critically analyse contemporary issues in plant genetics and breeding.

Instructors:

Jayasankar (Jay) Subramanian

Teaching Assistant:

Credit Weight:

0.25

Course Level:

  • Graduate

Academic Department (or campus):

Department of Plant Agriculture

Campus:

Guelph

Semester Offering:

  • Fall

Class Schedule and Location:

Day and time to be determined at first class.

Learning outcomes:

Specific Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, the students will be able to:

  1. Communicate effectively about a genetics and plant breeding subject of current interest in an oral format.
  2. Communicate effectively in a written format on a topic of current interest to plant breeders and geneticists.
  3. Formulate and communicate clear and effective answers to questions from student peers.
  4. Formulate effective questions in a scientific environment.

Lecture Content:

Topics

Specific Learning Outcomes:

  • Differences between annual crop and perennial crop breeding
  • Challenges in perennial crop breeding
  • Improvement in crops where there is not much variation
  • Molecular techniques that augment perennial crop improvement
  • History and improvement of crops that face grave challenges
  • Learning about new crops that have not been discussed in other courses

Lecture Content:

  • Challenges in breeding perennial crops- A brief presentation followed by discussion by the class
  • Parthenocarpy, parthenogenesis and apomixis- Boon or bane for crop improvement
  • Contemporary breeding in various perennial crops
    • Improvement in banana – from seedlessness to seedlessness
    • Citrus breeding- challenges with ‘auto-cloning’
    • Coffee –history and breeding – challenges and prospects
    • Tea breeding – a new way of crop improvement
    • Stone fruit breeding – consumer centric approach

Presentations from the class

Students will prepare 20 minute presentations on a set of current research articles related to their topic. the topics will be determined in the first 3 weeks of classes

The presentations will be followed by a student–led discussions. 

Students will be assessed for their leadership and participation in the discussions. 

Labs & Seminars:
Labs:

There are no labs for this course

Seminars:

The main course content is the student presentations and discussions. 

Course Assignments and Tests:

Assignment or test
Contribution to Final Grade

In class presentations - Topic, Abstract and Proposed Contents

20%

Participation in discussion

30%
Written Assignment

30%
Presentation

20%
 

Final examination:

There is no final exam.

Course Resources:

Required Texts

There is no required text

Recommended Texts:

There are no recommended texts.

Lab Manual:

There is no lab manual.

Other Resources:

None.

Field Trips:

There are no field trips.

Additional Costs:

There are no additional costs.

Course Policies:

Grading Policies:

All assignments are due just prior to class time and will be submitted in DropBox on CourseLink. Presentations will be made in class. Late written assignments will be accepted, with a reduction in mark of 10% for each day it is late, up to 5 days after the due date. Students are expected to read all the assigned papers, attend each class and participate actively in the discussions.

Course Policy on Group Work:

All  assignments are to be individual work, conforming with the university policies of academic integrity.

Course Policy regarding use of electronic devices and recording of lectures:

Electronic recording of classes is expressly forbidden without consent of the instructor. When recordings are permitted they are solely for the use of the authorized student and may not be reproduced, or transmitted to others, without the express written consent of the instructor.

Other Course Information:

University Policies

Academic Consideration

When you find yourself unable to meet an in-course requirement because of illness or compassionate reasons, please advise the course instructor in writing, with your name, id#, and e-mail contact. See the academic calendar for information on regulations and procedures for Academic Consideration:

Academic Misconduct

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University of Guelph students have the responsibility of abiding by the University's policy on academic misconduct regardless of their location of study; faculty, staff and students have the responsibility of supporting an environment that discourages misconduct. Students need to remain aware that instructors have access to and the right to use electronic and other means of detection. Please note: Whether or not a student intended to commit academic misconduct is not relevant for a finding of guilt. Hurried or careless submission of assignments does not excuse students from responsibility for verifying the academic integrity of their work before submitting it. Students who are in any doubt as to whether an action on their part could be construed as an academic offence should consult with a faculty member or faculty advisor.

The Academic Misconduct Policy is detailed in the University Calenders:

Accessibility

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For more information, contact CSD at 519-824-4120 ext. 56208 or email sas@uoguelph.ca or visit the Student Accessibility Services website: http://www.uoguelph.ca/csd/.

Course Evaluation Information

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