- Course Code
- BI 25P2
- Credit Points
- 15
- Course Coordinator
- Dr J McDonald
Pre-requisites
Notes
Available to any student who has pre-requisites.
Overview
The content reflects currently important topics in plant and soil research. It features an introductory week plus five, two-week blocks of teaching covering five topics, plus one summary week of course content. The content builds on and integrates in a critical manner knowledge about plants and soils from BI 1005 (Organismal Biology) and BI 1509 (Ecology and Environmental Science). Topics typically include areas such as limitations to biomass production; the biology associated with plant-derived products such as food, fibres and pharmaceuticals; plant-soil interactions; soils and climate change and soil microbial processes in the context of land remediation and sustainability.
Structure
12-week course in the second half-session. 3 one-hour lectures per week (includes plenary, support lecture and group study/discussion) plus 1 three-hour practical every second week (but only five practicals in total). Total contact hours 36 lectures (plenary, support, discussion) and five practicals 51 hours in total.
Assessment
1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written exam (50%); continuous assessment (50%).
Resit: 1 two-hour written exam in the same format as 1st attempt.
Formative Assessment
Two formative on-line tests will help students assess how well they are learning the course material. Student participation in these tests will be monitored and contribute to retention of the class certificate.
Feedback
Students will receive regular written feedback on each practical report before the start of the next practical class. Students who are identified as having difficulty in correctly completing the formative on-line tests will be invited to meet members of the course team to identify difficulties and discuss solutions.