Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2018
Agroecosystem Sciences Master  | ||||||
 Major in Plant Sciences | ||||||
| Disciplinary Competences | ||||||
| Crop Health | ||||||
| Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 751-5121-00L | Insect Ecology | W+ | 2 credits | 2V | C. De Moraes, M. Mescher, N. Stanczyk | |
| Abstract | This is an introductory course in insect ecology. Students will learn about the ways in which insects interact with and adapt to their abiotic & biotic environments and their roles in diverse ecosystems. The course includes lectures, outside readings, and critical analysis and discussion of contemporary literature. | |||||
| Learning objective | Students completing this course will become familiar with the application of ecological principles to the study of insects and new areas of interest in this field. Highlighted topics will include insect behavior, chemical and sensory ecology, physiological responses to biotic and abiotic stressors, plant-insect interactions, community and food-web dynamics, and disease ecology. The course will emphasize insect evolution and adaptation in the context of specific interactions with other organisms and the abiotic environment. During the course there will be discussion sessions exploring and analysing key examples of insect ecology in literature. | |||||
| Lecture notes | Provided to students through ILIAS | |||||
| Literature | Selected required readings (peer reviewed literature). Optional recommended readings with additional information. | |||||
| 751-4811-00L | Alien Organisms in Agriculture  Number of participants limited to 30. | W+ | 2 credits | 2G | J. Collatz, M. Meissle | |
| Abstract | The course focuses on alien organisms in agriculture as well as the scientific assessment and regulatory management of their effects on the environment and agricultural production. | |||||
| Learning objective | Students will understand the consequences arising from the unintentional or deliberate introduction of alien organisms into agricultural systems. They will be able to understand the concept of environmental risk assessment and be able to evaluate risk management options. | |||||
| Content | Alien organisms in agriculture is a topic that receives an increasing awareness among farmers, agricultural scientists, regulators and the general public. Students of this course will learn about the nature of alien organisms such as invasive species, biocontrol organisms and genetically modified organisms. With a particular focus on arthropods, plants and their interactions we will look at the potential threats the novel organisms pose, the benefits they provide and how both of these effects can be scientifically assessed. Students will learn how the topic of alien organisms in agriculture is intrinsically tied to policy making and regulation and get to know current examples and future challenges in research. In the last part of the course students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge in a practical exercise (case study). | |||||
| Lecture notes | Material will be distributed during the course | |||||
| 701-0263-01L | Seminar in Evolutionary Ecology of Infectious Diseases | W+ | 3 credits | 2G | A. Mikaberidze, S. Bonhoeffer, R. R. Regös | |
| Abstract | Students of this course will discuss current topics from the field of infectious disease biology. From a list of publications, each student chooses some themes that he/she is going to explain and discuss with all other participants and under supervision. The actual topics will change from year to year corresponding to the progress and new results occuring in the field. | |||||
| Learning objective | This is an advanced course that will require significant student participation. Students will learn how to evaluate and present scientific literature and trace the development of ideas related to understanding the ecology and evolutionary biology of infectious diseases. | |||||
| Content | A core set of ~10 classic publications encompassing unifying themes in infectious disease ecology and evolution, such as virulence, resistance, metapopulations, networks, and competition will be presented and discussed. Pathogens will include bacteria, viruses and fungi. Hosts will include animals, plants and humans. | |||||
| Lecture notes | Publications and class notes can be downloaded from a web page announced during the lecture. | |||||
| Literature | Papers will be assigned and downloaded from a web page announced during the lecture. | |||||
| 751-4506-00L | Plant Pathology III Number of participants limited to 25. | W+ | 2 credits | 2G | M. Maurhofer Bringolf | |
| Abstract | Identification based on host, symptoms and micro-morphology, completed with life cycles and related control measures of the most important fungal diseases and their causal pathogens of annual and perennial crops with agricultural significance. | |||||
| Learning objective | The students will learn and train preparation skills for microscopy, aquire knowledge of selected diseases (identification, biology of pathogen, epidemiology and systematics) and understand the corresponding integrated control measures practiced in Swiss agriculture. | |||||
| Content | One exercice will be on an e-learning base (with computers) also to prepare the students for the final e-exam. | |||||
| Lecture notes | A script will be used on annual and perennial crops and their most important diseases. It will be updated stepwise | |||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The course will be in German (spec. nomenclature) | |||||
Page
1
of
1
