BOTN40260 Plant Phenotyping: from Basics to Robotics

Academic Year 2021/2022

Plant phenotyping is the assessment of complex plant traits such as yield, growth or disease resistance. The emergence of new technologies using sophisticated imaging cameras and drones, computer science and novel analytical methods are revolutionizing plant phenotyping. Hence, analyzing and understanding plant phenotyping data is increasingly complex.
In this module, we will review classic plant phenotyping systems, ranging from Petri dishes to field trials. We will discuss the use of high-throughput phenotyping platforms in controlled (greenhouse phenomics) and field conditions (e.g. using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles-UAVs 'drones'), as well as different imaging systems (e.g. hyperspectral cameras). We will examine how each phenotyping system is suitable for different research questions, and how phenotypes can be dissected into smaller units. This module will provide students with guidelines for testing hypotheses, designing and performing experiments, and interpreting plant physiological data in the 'omics' research era.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this course, you should be able to:

1) Understand the complexity of a plant phenotype, which comprises a wide range of physiological traits;
2) Understand the different experimental settings in increasingly complex plant phenotyping systems;
3) Design a thorough phenotyping experiment to address a research hypothesis regardless of the platform setting;
4) Understand the principles of data analysis and interpretation;
5) Critically assess a plant phenotyping experiment and its interpretation, providing suggestions on how to improve it.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12

Autonomous Student Learning

100

Total

112

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
In this module students are inspired to have critical thinking. Besides lectures, this module comprises creative/task-based learning by designing a research project as well as debates and student presentations in Poster format. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Presentation: Elevator Pitch for research project. Week 11 n/a Graded No

10

Project: Research project design Unspecified n/a Graded No

50

Presentation: Poster on research project. Posters will be graded in terms of design and message clarity. Unspecified n/a Graded No

40


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.