Green Biotechnology

Code:

BIOL4054

Acronym:

BIOL4054

Level:

400

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2021/2022 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Functional Biology and Biotechnology of Plants

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:BFBP	12	Plano de Estudos M:BFBP_2015_2016.	1	-	3	21	81

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The curricular unit (UC) has the general objective of developing skills in the creation of projects for the use of plants for biotechnological purposes, integrating a theoretical component and a strong presentation component of national and international studies and projects in this area.

The purpose of the UC is to make known the potentialities and multifunctionities of green coverages and to enable students to use the different materials and possibilities of applying these systems in the current context of mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

It is also the specific objective of the UC to present the basic concepts in phytoremediation, the various biotic and abiotic factors that may limit the success of bio / phytoremediation processes and the specificities of each system.

It is part of the specific objectives of this CU to understand phytotechnologies based on the interaction between plants and microorganisms that improve the performance of the plants used for the recovery of degraded soils and the increase of plant productivity, sustainable solutions with the objective of increasing the productivity of plants and , at the same time reduce the rates of application of chemical fertilizers.

It will also be the objective of UC to present several biomarker models, based on transgenic plants, successfully used in biomonitoring of pollutants, the benefits and possible disadvantages of these systems and new ideas for future generations of phytosensors.

Upon completion of the UC, the student should be able to:

- Understand the importance of plants as technological forms of preservation and remediation of the environment (Green biotechnology).

- Classify and characterize the different types of green coverages and identify their environmental / ecological, social and economic advantages.

- Be able to choose correctly and select the systems and materials for the execution of green roofs

- Understand the general principles of the use of plants for the purposes of bioremediation of waste water or soil and understand the methodologies and technology associated with structuring a phytochemical.

- To understand the theoretical bases inherent to the production of biosensors and to know the current applications of some biosensors.

-  To know the potentialities of microorganisms as biofertilizers and soil quality improvers.

- Identify different types of phytotechnologies.

Learning outcomes and competences

The central objectives of this UC are the acquisition of capacities for the use of plants in a technological base for the improvement of the environment in a sustainable way. The UC will provide students with an understanding of the role that phytotechnologies can play in promoting biodiversity and environmental quality.

With the skills acquired by the students, it is intended that they be able to 1) analyze and identify various types of green coverages, fitoETARs, phytosensors and other phytotechnologies, and their application in different contexts in improving the quality of the environment 2) understanding cases of study and projects under development in the field of phytoremediation, garden coverings and biosensors utilization 3) apply the acquired knowledge to select the most appropriate option, considering ecosystem services, for the remediation and preservation of the environment in a sustainable way.

By studying the concepts of plant use for biotechnology purposes, particularly in the area of ​​the environment, and several projects already developed in this area, students will understand the potential of biotechnological application of plants, and acquire skills to develop innovative strategies for plant utilization for purposes of preservation and remediation of the environment.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Mandatory literature

Richard K. Sutton.; Green Roof Ecosystems.: Ecological Studies 223. Volume 23. , Springer International Publishing Switzerland. , 2015. ISBN: ISBN 978-3-319-14982-0.

Complementary Bibliography

Norman Terry; Phytoremediation of contaminated soil and water. ISBN: 1-56670-450-2
Edmund C. Snodgrass and Lucie L. Snodgrass; Green Roof Plants. A Resource and Planting Guide. , Timber Press, 2006. ISBN: ISBN-13: 978-0-88192-787-0
Edmund C. Snodgrass and Linda McIntyre ; The Green Roof Manual. A Professional Guide to Design, Installation, and Maintenance, Timber Press , 2010. ISBN: ISBN 978-1-60469-049-1
Nigel Dunnett and Noel Kingsbury; Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls., Timber Press , 2010. ISBN: ISBN 13: 978-0-88192-911-9

Teaching methods and learning activities

The Course Unit will be structured in thematic sessions that include expositions of the theoretical contents underlying the theme of the session, followed by presentations of case studies and projects under development in the area. Several lectures will be held by invited speakers presenting their work and projects in the area of biotechnology with the use of plants. Study trips will be made for the observation and better understanding of some case studies and projects.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	50,00
Teste	25,00
Participação presencial	25,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de projeto	40,00
Estudo autónomo	10,00
Frequência das aulas	21,00
Trabalho escrito	10,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

Mandatory attendance of 25% of all UC classes.
Performing Mandatory Works

Calculation formula of final grade

The evaluation will consist of the preparation and presentation of a mini-project of green biotechnology (P) (in group), which will correspond to 50% of the final mark. 25% of the final grade will be related to the individual  participation (I), which includes participation in classes, their performance during the presentation of the project and the presentation of a report on the technical visit. 25% of the final grade will be related to a written exame (E). Each component will be quoted from 0-20 values.

Final grade = Px0.5 + Mx0.25+Ex0,25

Classification improvement

Only the exame component will be subject to grade improvement.

Observations

Coordinating Professor - Paula Melo