Module BIOL2291: EXPERIMENTAL PLANT SCIENCES

Department: BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

BIOL2291: EXPERIMENTAL PLANT SCIENCES

Prerequisites

• Introduction to Whole Organisms and the Environment (BIOL1082), Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology (BIOL1072).

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To provide training and experience in experimental techniques representative of modern practical approaches in plant sciences.

Content

• Animal and Plant Diversity.
• Field trips to investigate marine diversity at Holy Island.
• Invertebrates associated with paving stones.
• Freshwater diversity.
• Plant diversity on limestone grasslands.
• Plant Physiology.
• Ecophysiological techniques and woodland canopies.
• Microscopy Techniques.
• Light microscopy, electron microscopy, confocal and fluorescence microscopy, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridisation.
• DNA Analysis.
• DNA extraction and purification, spectrophotometric estimation, restriction analysis, restriction mapping and data handling.
• Cloning - cloning vectors, DNA restriction and ligation, transformation, library screening, analysis of selected clones.
• Gene expression - techniques for measuring gene expression, enzyme induction and analysis.
• Experimental Design and Statistics.
• A series of lectures and workshops to teach good experimental design and statistical analysis.
• Protein Analysis and Enzymes.
• Protein extraction, protein fractionation and purification, column chromatography techniques, electrophoretic analysis, immunochemical analyses.
• Enzyme Properties - enzyme extraction, enzyme assays, properties, enzyme kinetics, enzyme inhibition, data handling.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this module each student should be able to: Understand the bases and experimental procedures used in a wide range of techniques in plant science.

• Demonstrate a range of practical skills in field work, biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology.

• Interpret and execute detailed practical instructions.
• Be able to acquire, record, interpret and critically analyse experimental data.
• Be able to present the results and conclusions effectively.
• Appreciate the approaches used to devise experimental strategies.
• Appreciate safe working practices.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Teaching and learning in this component will be through lectures, practicals, workshops and field trips.
• Knowledge, understanding and interpretation will be formatively assessed through practical reports and statistical exercises.
• Knowledge, understanding and interpretation will be summatively assessed through practical reports (40%), field reports (10%), statistics exercises (20%) and statistics exam (30%).

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Formative assessment will be based on practical reports and exercises in the use of statistics.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University