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BOTN40260

Academic Year 2024/2025

Plant Phenotyping: from Basics to Robotics (BOTN40260)

Subject:
Botany
College:
Science
School:
Biology & Environment Science
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Sonia Negrao
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Plant phenotyping aims to assess complex traits such as yield 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 and key to a sustainable food production.

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., 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.

About this Module

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
Autonomous Student Learning

100
Lectures

12
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 Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Elevator pitch Week 11 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Research project Week 15 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
55
 No
Report(s): Poster Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
35
 No

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.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
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