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BIOL30010

Academic Year 2024/2025

Plant Diseases: Biology and Control (BIOL30010)

Subject:
Biology
College:
Science
School:
Biology & Environment Science
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Fiona Doohan
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Food security is dependent on our ability to produce plant-based proteins. One of the biggest threats to food security is plant diseases; these also affect forestry and horticultural non-food crops, causing huge economic losses. This course provides some basic insights into plant diseases and how to control them, and the predicted future impacts of climate change on disease control. This course provides an overview of the biology, symptoms and signs, diagnosis and control of pathogens of crop plants. The following topics will be addressed: The economic and social impact of diseases on crop production. Important fungal, bacterial and virus diseases of field crops. Analysis of the impact of pathogens on yield and quality of field crops. Chemical, cultural and integrated methods for prevention and control including forecasting.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

1. Diagnose and identify the principal causes of crop diseases using macroscopic, microscopic and molecular techniques.
2. Explain how plant pathogens build up to cause epidemics on field crops.
3. Implement appropriate guidelines for disease control measures and develop an understanding of integrated management for the major pathogens of crop plants.

Indicative Module Content:

Introduction to Plant Pathology
Bacterial diseases of plants
Viral diseases of plants
Fungal diseases of plants
Disease control
Future trends in disease control

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

36
Laboratories

4
Autonomous Student Learning

65
Online Learning

7
Total

112

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures - face to face
Case based learning - online and face to face (blended)
Reflective learning

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

One of the following:
Cell and Plant Biology (BIOL 10030)
Biology in Action (BIOL 10130)
Life on Earth (BIOL 10140)
Cell Biology and Genetics (BIOL 10110)


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Required:
BIOL10030 - Cell and Plant Biology, BIOL10110 - Biology-Cell Biology&Genetics, BIOL10130 - Biology in Action, BIOL10140 - Life on Earth

Additional Information:
One of the following: Cell and Plant Biology (BIOL 10030) Cell Biology and Genetics (BIOL 10110) Biology in Action (BIOL 10130) Life on Earth (BIOL 10140)

Equivalents:
Plant Diseases: Biology (AESC30130), Plant Protection:Biol & Con (ERM30050)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Quizzes/Short Exercises: MCQ exam covering Topics 1-6 and Case Studies 1-3. Week 8 Alternative non-linear conversion grade scale 50% No
50
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: MCQ exam covering Topics 7-11 and Case Studies 4-7. Week 12 Alternative non-linear conversion grade scale 50% No
50
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be given for the mid term MCQ via Brightspace.

Name Role
Mr Natarajan Subramani Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 2 Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 3, 6, 10, 11 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 4 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 5 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 7 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn External & School Exams Offering 1 Week(s) - 8, 12 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 9 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 3, 6, 10, 11 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 4 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 5 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 7 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn External & School Exams Offering 2 Week(s) - 8, 12 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 9 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 3 Week(s) - 3, 6, 10, 11 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 3 Week(s) - 4 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 3 Week(s) - 5 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 3 Week(s) - 7 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn External & School Exams Offering 3 Week(s) - 8, 12 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 3 Week(s) - 9 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 4 Week(s) - 3, 6, 10, 11 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 4 Week(s) - 4 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 4 Week(s) - 5 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 4 Week(s) - 7 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn External & School Exams Offering 4 Week(s) - 8, 12 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 4 Week(s) - 9 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
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