Undergraduate Course: Fungi and Plant Pathology (PLSC10004)
Course Outline
| School | School of Biological Sciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | Plant Science |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course aims to increase your appreciation of the morphogenesis and cell biology of fungi and their significance in the development of economically important plant diseases. This is an exciting time in fungal cell biology, with rapid technological developments in live cell imaging and associated techniques underpinning rapid advances in our understanding of cell biological processes including vesicle trafficking, key mechanisms of virulence and morphogenesis. We will highlight the biological and technological advances occurring within these research areas. Fungi also have potentially important applications in the biotechnology industry and specific examples, such as their deployment as biosensors, will be discussed. This course will also highlight the importance of fungi and other pathogens as causative agents of plant disease. Importantly, disease is the exception rather than the rule, because plants possess a plethora of elaborate defence mechanisms to defend themselves against microbial infection. Key examples of these defence mechanisms will be presented. For example, the basis of pathogen recognition, the synthesis of reactive oxygen intermediates and the engagement of cellular suicide programmes. The extensive parallels between plant disease resistance and animal innate immunity will also be explained. Advances in our understanding of plant disease resistance often have direct agricultural utility, this fact will be highlighted in a lecture by a senior representative of the world's largest agricultural biotechnology company. This guest speaker will also discuss career opportunities for graduates within the agricultural biotechnology sector. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | Notepads |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
| Increased understanding of Biological processes. Detailed learning outcomes will be provided later. |
Assessment Information
| Exam |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | PLSCFungiPP |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Catherine Kidner
Tel: (0131 6)51 3316
Email: |
Course secretary | Mr David Brewster
Tel: (0131 6)50 5528
Email: |
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