| CODE | RFS3561 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Mediterranean Genetic Resources | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Rural Sciences and Food Systems | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit will provide a general introduction to population genetics with the basic evolutionary processes including: mutation, natural selection, genetic drift, inbreeding, recombination and gene flow. Typical Mediterranean animal species will be tackled alongside methods of farm animal breeding and conservation. Likewise, a broad view of the evolution of the most important Mediterranean agricultural crops will be discussed with the potential safeguarding of germplasm. Other topics include: a) related species, wild progenitors, landraces and varieties as sources of resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. b) the role of International organization in biodiversity conservation. Study-unit Aims The study-unit will aim to provide a basic introduction to population genetics and to the current techniques of breeding methods in plants and animals, including DNA marker-assisted selection. The students will achieve the necessary tools to apply population genetics to population improvement, cultivar development and breeding strategies. Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1) Comprehend the mechanisms shaping genetic variation within and between populations; 2) Describe the range of molecular laboratory techniques available for detecting population genetic variation; 3) Perform statistical analysis of population genetic data; 4) Explain the ecological and evolutionary factors that influence the genetic structure of plant and animal populations. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1) Design animal breeding strategies and be able to suggest future applications; 2) Find and access plant material for use in breeding programmes and know how to evaluate its potential; 3) Choose appropriate statistical methods for testing differences in genetic diversity on different spatial scales and different genetic markers; 4) Be able to design, plan, perform, evaluate and discuss the results of a short experiment and present the study both in written and oral form. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings - Principles of Plant Breeding, 2nd Edition (Hardcover) by Robert W. Allard (Author). Publisher: Wiley; 2 edition (1999) ISBN-10: 0471023094. (Main Library). - Halford, Nigel G. Genetically modified crops. Imperial College P., 2003. 112 p. 1-86094-353-5. (Main Library). - Introduction to Quantitative Genetics by D.S. Falconer, T. F.C. Mackay. Publisher Benjamin Cummings; 4th Edition (1996). ISBN-10: 0582243025. (Main Library). - Transgenic Plants: Methods and Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology) by Leandro Pe帽a (Editor). Publisher: Humana Press; 1 edition (August 16, 2004) ISBN-10: 1588292630. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Study-units: RFS1101 or equivalent study-units Students, who are interested to take this study-unit as optional, are kindly requested to contact the Department of Rural Sciences before registering for this unit. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Adrian Bugeja Douglas (Co-ord.) Luigi Russi |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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