PLANT SC 7315WT - Innovations in Plant Breeding

Waite Campus - Semester 2 - 2021

Plant breeding programs undergo ongoing improvement by innovating: developing, adopting and integrating new approaches. This course examines the roles of genetic variation, selection intensity, selection accuracy and cycle time in determining plant breeding success and considers how specific forms of innovation affect genetic gain. Topics covered include breeding program design, exploitation of genetic diversity, methods for rapid generation advance, use of genomic and phenomic information for selection, automation and data management. Through case-studies and problem-based learning, students learn to critically analyse opportunities and constraints in plant breeding programs and to assess whether and how specific types of innovation can increase rates of genetic gain.

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Course Details

Course Code	PLANT SC 7315WT
Course	Innovations in Plant Breeding
Coordinating Unit	School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
Term	Semester 2
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	Waite Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 6 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	PLANT SC 7300WT, PLANT SC 7305WT
Assessment	Quizzes, Assignments, Active Participation and Exams

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Melissa Garcia

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1	Explain the factors that affect genetic gain in plant breeding, as expressed in the breeders’ equation.
2	Use the breeders’ equation to predict how specific changes in plant breeding practice will affect genetic gain.
3	Examine the potential of specific examples of scientific, technological or socio-economic innovation to improve genetic gain in plant breeding.
4	Examine breeding programs to identify opportunities for improvement through innovation.
5	Develop and justify plans to improve breeding programs through innovation.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Deep discipline knowledge informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1 accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)	1,3,4
Critical thinking and problem solving steeped in research methods and rigor based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment	2,3,4,5
Teamwork and communication skills developed from, with, and via the SGDE honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning	5
Career and leadership readiness technology savvy professional and, where relevant, fully accredited forward thinking and well informed tested and validated by work based experiences	3,4,5
Intercultural and ethical competency adept at operating in other cultures comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges	4,5
Self-awareness and emotional intelligence a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate	5

Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

Students who are unable to attend face-to-face sessions will be given an on-line alternative option

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).

Learning Activities Summary

Learning activities will include weekly tutorials (1 h), workshops (2 h) and Class Exercises (3 h), assigned readings and a group project.

In the first part of the course, the tutorials, workshops, class exersizes and readings will deal with the breeders’ equation and its application in plant breeding, with particular attention paid to selection intensity, genetic variation, selection accuracy and cycle time.

In the final weeks of the course, the tutorials, class exercises and readings will focus on specific areas of innovation and workshops will be used for the group project. Areas of innovation considered in the lectures, tutorials and group projects may include genomic selection, field phenomics, novel traits, methods for incorporating genetic diversity, approaches for manipulation of genetic recombination, gene editing and other biotechnologies, rapid generation advance, intellectual property and value capture and sample tracking and data management, all in the context of improving the success of plant breeding.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Weighting	Hurdle Yes or No	NoLearning Outcome	Due
Quizzes	Formative or Summative	20%	No	1,2	Weeks 1-5
Mid-term Exam	Summative	15%	No	1,2	Week 6
Group Project Report	Summative	20%	No	3,4,5	Week12
Group Presentation	Summative	10%	No	3,4,5	Week 12
Final Exam	Summative	35%	No	3,4,5	Exam Period

Assessment Detail

Quizzes (total of 20%)
Students will complete a total of 4 quizzes (worth 5%) each. Each quiz will consist of multiple choice questions related to assigned reading and is to be completed prior to a related tutorial. Automated formative feedback will be given to help students assess whether they are ready for the tutorial. Students who attempted the quiz by the due date will have an opportunity (after the tutorial) to improve their mark by doing a second quiz.

Midterm Exam (15%)
The midterm exam will examine the topics covered during the first 5 weeks of the course. These are foundational topics that students will need to apply in the rest of the course. It will be a 60-minute exam consisting of short-answer questions.

Group Project Report (20%)
Students will work in groups to prepare a consultancy report (up to 3000 words) that presents and justifies specific recommendations for the innovation to improve the rate of genetic gain in a plant breeding program. Each student will prepare an aspect of the report and their marks will be moderated by their contribution as assessed by the instructor.

Group Presentation (10%)
Student groups will prepare and present an oral presentation (maximum 10 minutes) on their group project. This will be partly (5%) assessed by peers. Each student will prepare an aspect of the report and their marks will be moderated by their contribution as assessed by the instructor.

Final exam (35%)
The final exam will focus on the topics covered after the first 5 weeks of the course but will require understanding of the foundational topics covered during the first 5 weeks. It will be a 90-minute exam consisting of short-answer and long-answer questions.

Submission

No information currently available.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator