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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2022/2023

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies : BSc Hons (Royal (Dick) Sch of Veterinary Studies)

Undergraduate Course: Science for Agri-food Systems: Cells to Organisms (VETS08009)

Course Outline
SchoolRoyal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies CollegeCollege of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis 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
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Explain how micro-organisms, mammalian and plant cells function
  2. Explain the key processes that support the growth and development of plants and animals
  3. Describe the fundamental principles of genetics
  4. Recognise the key processes that sustain soil quality and function
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
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Susan Jarvis
Tel: (0131 6)50 7911
Email:
Course secretaryMr Gordon Littlejohn
Tel: (0131 6)51 7454
Email:
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