Plant Breeding

Code:

BIOL4016

Acronym:

BIOL4016

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2024/2025 - 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	17	Plano de Estudos M:BFBP_2015_2016.	1	-	3	21	81

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Plant breeding, which has historically accompanied humanity, currently needs to address enormous challenges. These include rapid population growth, the need to implement sustainable environmental practices, and the response to climate change, among others. The objective of the UC in Plant Genetic Breeding (PGB) is to provide a comprehensive and diversified introduction to different aspects that govern plant genetic improvement. The UC incorporates aspects of classical genetic improvement, genomic-based breeding, or precision breeding through genome editing, interfacing with plant genetic resources, biotechnology and the translation of fundamental knowledge.

Learning outcomes and competences

After completing the UC, the student should be able to:

- Recognize the role of plant genetic resources as a source of diversity, and understand aspects of their characterization and conservation.

- Understand the impact of domestication on the genetic diversity of the main agricultural species.

- Understand the importance of experimental design in limiting environmental variation in order to allow effective genetic selection.

- Recognize the main classical breeding strategies and the role of quantitative genetics in plant improvement.

- Understand the role of markers and molecular methods in supporting breeding, with an emphasis on the possibilities brought by the genomic era. Understand the growing importance of phenome-based characterization.

- Understand the main challenges associated with precision breeding and the application of genome editing techniques.

Working method

Presencial

Program

- Domestication of the main species of agricultural interest, improvement from a historical perspective.

- Plant genetic resources as a source of diversity, crop wild relatives, methods for conservation of plant genetic resources, germplasm banks.

- Experimental design in controlling the environmental component.

- Quantitative genetics and main breeding strategies for sexually and asexually reproducing species. Hybridization.

- Molecular methods for characterizing biodiversity and supporting improvement.

- Genomics and epigenomics in modern breeding. GWAS, Genomic selection. The role of phenomics in characterizing biodiversity.

- Precision breeding. Genome editing techniques and strategies for their application in breeding. Societal considerations.

Mandatory literature

Bob B. Buchanan; Biochemistry & molecular biology of plants. ISBN: 0-943088-39-9

Comments from the literature

Several scientific paper supporting the UC will be made available.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Teaching methodologies include:

- Expository classes using powerpoint presentations, with student participation being encouraged through a discussion component.

- Interactive and problem-solving classes or exercises, involving students in a more active process.

- Analysis of case studies that illustrate the main challenges and solutions found in themes of the curricular unit.

- Lectures by external guests (e.g. teachers, researchers) with recognized competence in topics of the UC.

keywords

Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Applied biology
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Molecular biology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	40,00
Exame	60,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	15,00
Estudo autónomo	45,00
Frequência das aulas	21,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

- Attendance in 75% of the classes.
- Carrying out all components of the evaluation process.
- Minimum score of 6 points (0 to 20) at the Exam component.

Calculation formula of final grade

1. Oral presentation (with discussion) of a scientific paper (40%).


2. Exam on content taught at the UC (60%).

Classification improvement

Observations

Coordinator – Herlander Azevedo