Print Syllabus

Syllabus

SG0242 Plant biology- for future forestry, 7.5 Credits

Växtbiologi - för framtidens skogsbruk

Subjects

Forest Science

Education cycle

Bachelor’s level

Modules

Title	Credits	Code
Written exam	5.0	0005
Lab report	1.0	0006
Essay	1.0	0007
Presentation	0.5	0008

Advanced study in the main field

First cycle, has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Bachelor’s level (G2F)

Grading scale

Language

English

Prior knowledge

Knowledge at basic level equivalent to

- 90 credits in Forest Science including

- 10 credits Chemistry

and

- English 5



or

- 90 credits biology including

- 10 credits chemistry

Objectives

The course intends to provide knowledge of how modern plant biology can contribute to the development of sustainable forestry for example through designed breeding of trees a for a bio-based economy.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Account for wood development and wood properties in forest trees

• Describe and explain a number of new, molecular technologies used in tree breeding

• Identify a number of different qualitative wood properties of significance for future forestry and bio-based economy and account for their breeding potential

• Apply popular scientific writing and orally argue and evaluate advantages and disadvantages of gene-modified trees and plantation forestry

• With some supervision carry out laboratory work within molecular plant biology and evaluate the results

Content

The course gives an understanding about how fundamental biology is the basis for applications for future forestry. It deals with key factors such as water- and nitrogen-uptake, photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism – and transport which are essential for tree growth. Discussions and case studies are used for the students to acquire knowledge about how these processes are affected by environmental conditions (e.g. climate change, fertilization) and can be optimized (e.g. by gene technology).

Presentations and discussions then focus on wood characteristics important for the quality of future forest products as well as for a biobased economy; namely fiber-characteristics, chemical composition, enery value etc. New technologies for tree breeding such as marker assisted selection, clonal amplification and gene manipulation and their importance in plantation forestry are presented. Compulsory laboratory practices and lab-report writing gives the students in depth knowledge about how gene manipulation in plants is carried out in practice.

The value of these new methods for future forestry as well as society’s view on those is taken up in discussions. Advantages and disadvantages of plantation forestry compared with traditional forestry are evaluated by the students in compulsory essay writing as well as a seminar. The student is given the opportunity to train peer-review during these course moments.

Grading form

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Formats and requirements for examination

Passed written exam, passed written report of laboratory sessions and passed essay and participation in compolsury seminars.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Additional information

Students who have passed the chemistry section of the course SG0141 Ecosystems biogeochemistry and physics 19 credits or SG0210 Chemistry for forest ecosystem studies satisfy the special entry requirements for 10 credits in chemistry.



SLU is environmentally certified according to ISO 14001. A large part of our courses cover knowledge and skills that contribute positively to the environment. To further strengthen this, we have specific environmental goals for the education. Students are welcome to suggest actions regarding the course’s content and implementation that lead to improvements for the environment. For more information, see webpage www.slu.se.

Responsible department

Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology