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CELB40020

Academic Year 2025/2026

Developmental Plant Genetics (CELB40020)

Subject:
Cell Biology
College:
Science
School:
Biology & Environment Science
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Rainer Melzer
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This course introduces advanced biology students to fundamental research on plant developmental biology. The course focuses on reading and understanding the current literature in plant developmental genetics. For that purpose, students will read research papers and present the main scientific results in the form of short talks. Subsequent discussions will further evaluate the findings presented. This is a continuous-assessment-only module, the main body of the course consists of presentations given by students and discussions led by students.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

From this module students will aquire the ability to:
- critically read and understand scientific publications.
- present scientific results in the form of talks.
- critically discuss and evaluate scientific results.

The students will understand:
- the processes controlling plant development.
- methods used in plant developmental genetics research.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12

Autonomous Student Learning

113

Total

125


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module consists of student presentations. Papers related to one overarching topic are circulated among the students at the beginning of the semester and students choose one paper to present.

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
Group Work Assignment: Presentation based on a scientific paper Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8 Graded No
80
No
Participation in Learning Activities: Engagement in discussions following the presentations. Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8 Graded No
20
No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

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

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be given orally after the presentations.

Name Role
Dr Nicholas Brereton Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Darrin Hulsey Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Paul McCabe Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Rainer Melzer 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) - 5, 6, 7, 8 Mon 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 5, 6, 7, 8 Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 5, 6, 7, 8 Wed 09:00 - 09:50