Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2020

Agricultural Sciences Master Information
Minors
Agronomy and Plant Breeding
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
751-4104-00LAlternative CropsW2 credits2VA. Walter, B. Büter
AbstractFew crops dominate the crop rotations worldwide. Following the goal of an increased agricultural biodiversity, species such as buckwheat but also medicinal plants might become more important in future. The biology, physiology, stress tolerance and central aspects of the value-added chain of the above-mentioned and of other alternative crops will be depicted.
ObjectiveDuring this course, students learn to assess the potential of different minor or alternative crops compared to the dominant major crops based on their biological and agronomical features. Each student will assess and present a specific alternative crop of his or her choice based on information from scientific articles and Wikipedia. Wikipedia-entries will be generated.
751-3603-00LCurrent Challenges in Plant Breeding Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 15.
W2 credits2GB. Studer, A. Hund, R. Kölliker
Abstract'Current challenges in plant breeding' aims to bring together national and international experts in plant breeding to discuss current activities, latest achievements and future prospective of a selected topic/area with students.
The seminar this year will focus on what plant breeding can contribute to mitigate future challenges such as reduced input for plant protection or climate change.
ObjectiveThe educational objectives cover both thematic competences and soft skills:
Thematic competences:
- Deepening of scientific knowledge in plant breeding
- Critical evaluation of current challenges and new concepts in plant breeding
- Promotion of collaboration and Master thesis projects with practical plant breeders
Soft skills:
- Independent literature research to get familiar with the selected topic
- Critical evaluation and consolidation of the acquired knowledge in an interdisciplinary team
- Establishment of a scientific presentation in an interdisciplinary team
- Presentation and discussion of the teamwork outcome
- Establishing contacts and strengthening the network to national and international plant breeders and scientist
ContentGiven current discussions and efforts towards more sustainable agricultural production systems, we will investigate what plant breeding can contribute i) to reduce the input of plant protection products, ii) to make our crops genetically ready for future climatic conditions and iii) to evaluate what traits might become important in alternative production systems.

On November 6, 2020, from 2 to 5pm, the enrolled students will be introduced to the concept, topic and the lecturers/tutors involved in 'Current challenges in plant breeding'. After an input talk by the lecturers, four to six specific aspects/questions for the above-mentioned topics will be identified and phrased. The tutors and the enrolled students will be assigned to four to six different groups, to critically evaluate one aspect/question. The students, guided by tutors, will prepare a presentation of 15 minutes (plus 5 minutes discussion) covering their specific question/aspect. Participation in this introductory lecture mandatory.

On January 26, 2021, a one-day seminar on the selected topic will be organized. The presentations of the students will be complemented with keynote talks from national and international experts. The seminar will be public and serve as annual meeting of the 'Working Group Plant Breeding' from the Swiss Society of Agronomy, bringing together the experts in plant breeding.

The course is designed for a maximum of 15 Master students and 10 PhD students (advertised and recruited via the Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center). For full and active participation, a total of 2 credit/ECTS points will be provided.
Lecture notesno
LiteraturePeer-reviewed research articles, selected according to the selected topic/area.
Prerequisites / NoticeParticipation in the BSc course 'Pflanzenzüchtung' is strongly recommended, a completed course in 'Molecular Plant Breeding' is highly advantageous.
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