Undergraduate Course: Science for Agri-food Systems: Cells to Organisms (VETS08009)
Course Outline
| School | Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course will provide students with a foundation in science knowledge, understanding and methodology as it relates to agriculture. The focus will be on the growth, development and functioning of organisms that make up agricultural systems |
| Course description |
The aim of the course is to provide a foundation in basic science knowledge, in order to underpin the development of concepts in the animal and crop production systems courses in years 2 to 4. It will be taught in the context of global agriculture and the challenges of food security and environmental sustainability. Starting at the level of the cell and its constituents and progressing to the whole organism, the course will emphasise the importance of interactions and linkages between different components within a system for successful and sustainable function. The main themes covered will include:
Molecules of life, genes and cells
Cellular processes
Building cells into organisms; plants, animals and microbes
Organisms as systems, growth and nutrition
Genetics and reproduction
Soil as a living entity
The course will be delivered by a series of lectures, tutorials, laboratory classes and practicals. The practicals will help develop laboratory and research skills. Farm visits will be utilised to demonstrate different production systems, and examples will be used in to illustrate key concepts in a global context
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Explain how micro-organisms, mammalian and plant cells function
- Explain the key processes that support the growth and development of plants and animals
- Describe the fundamental principles of genetics
- Recognise the key processes that sustain soil quality and function
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Reading List
Taiz L. and Zeiger E. 2010. Plant Physiology. Sinauer Associates Inc. Sunderland, USA
Essential Cell Biology Alberts B et al., 4th Edition, 2013 |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Susan Jarvis
Tel: (0131 6)50 7911
Email: |
Course secretary | Mr Gordon Littlejohn
Tel: (0131 6)51 7454
Email: |
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