Molecular Biology and Breeding

Subject 208-302 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points:

12.500

Level:

Undergraduate

Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.

Pre-teaching Period Start	not applicable
Teaching Period	not applicable
Assessment Period End	not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol	not applicable
Census Date	not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail	not applicable

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.

Time Commitment:

Contact Hours: Thirty hours of lectures, 30 hours of other activities (assignments, computer searches of gene and patent data bases, breeding case histories)
Total Time Commitment: Not available

Prerequisites:

202-103 Biology for Land and Food Resources and 202-101 Chemistry for Land and Food Resources. 650-142 Genetics and the Evolution of Life is desirable but not essential.

Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

None

Non Allowed Subjects:

None

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

 CoordinatorDr P Bhalla & Dr P Salisbury 

Subject Overview:	On completion of this subject students should: understand the principles and methodology of crop and animal breeding, and the contribution of genes to development of quantitative traits; and have basic understanding of molecular biology, genetic engineering and its impact on agriculture (plant and animal), horticulture, forestry and the food industry. Topics include nature of genes and regulation of gene expression at the molecular level; introduction to gene manipulation and recombinant technology for production of improved food and forest plants, crops and food animals; management of transgenic plants, crops and animals in agricultural systems; risks and concerns regarding environmental release of transgenic organisms, and safety criteria for transgenic food; principles and methodology of crop and animal breeding, basic population genetics and genetic development of quantitative traits; evolutionary processes and genetic variability of plant populations; world-wide distribution and conservation of plant genetic resources; methods of breeding self- and cross-pollinating plants, development of hybrids, chromosome manipulation and polyploidy; methods for breeding disease and insect resistance in agricultural plants; molecular markers for DNA fingerprinting, genetic diversity, marker-assisted selection; and special techniques in plant breeding, somatic hybridisation and tissue culture.
Assessment:	Two-hour end-of-semester examination (50%), 1-hour mid-semester test (25%), written project report (4000 words, 25%).
Prescribed Texts:	None
Recommended Texts:	Information Not Available
Breadth Options:	This subject is a level 2 or level 3 subject and is not available to new generation degree students as a breadth option in 2008. This subject or an equivalent will be available as breadth in the future. Breadth subjects are currently being developed and these existing subject details can be used as guide to the type of options that might be available. 2009 subjects to be offered as breadth will be finalised before re-enrolment for 2009 starts in early October.
Fees Information:	Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:	Information Not Available
Related Course(s):	Bachelor of Agricultural Science Bachelor of Agricultural Science Bachelor of Animal Science and Management Bachelor of Horticulture Bachelor of Horticulture Bachelor of Horticulture (Honours)

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