PLV321 Plant Pathology and Resistance Breeding

Credits (ECTS):10

Course responsible:May Bente Brurberg

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk, norsk

Limits of class size:20

Course frequency:Odd years

Nominal workload:250 hours

Teaching and exam period:Autumn parallel.

About this course

The biology and life style of plant pathogens, how they can be isolated and cultivated. Classical and modern ways of diagnosing. Disease cycle, including survival, dispersal and infection, in connection to environmental factors. Development of plant disease epidemics and population genetics. The pathogen's weapons and plants' defense mechanisms. Principles for disease control, with particular focus on plant resistance and resistance breeding. National and international plant health legislation.

Learning outcome

Knowledge: adequate insight in plant pathology and resistance breeding to work with these topics on master- and PhD level, both theoretically and experimentally.

Skills: Should be able to 1) Evaluate environmental and social consequences of plant diseases and the strategies to combat the diseases; 2. Stay updated on plant diseases threatening our cultivated plants; 3) Critically evaluate published literature in this area.

General competences: The theoretical foundation necessary for acquiring knowledge in the and skills that can be used to for solving plant health problems and contribute to a sustainable development.

  • Learning activities
    Lectures, lab exercises, literature seminars, self study.
  • Teaching support
    Teaching books, scientific literature, question hour before the exam, Canvas.
  • Prerequisites
    Bachelor level courses in plant physiology,microbiology, genetics and chemistry (BOT130, BIO130, BIO120 and KJM100), including experience in lab work in these subjects are necessary, in addition to basic plant pathology (equivalent to PLV200).
  • Recommended prerequisites
    Introductory course in cell biology,biochemistry, ecology, organic chemistry, molecular biology
  • Assessment method

    Oral exam - 50 %

    Folder (laboratory reports, literature seminar + literaure report) - 50 %.



    Portfolio Grading: Letter grades Oral exam Grading: Letter grades
  • Examiner scheme
    External examinor (censor) present in oral exam, and participating in final grading
  • Mandatory activity
    Laboratory exercises, submission of laboratory reports, and literature seminars with submission of report.
  • Notes
    A collaboration with other Nordic universities: SLU, KU-LIFE and HU-AF may be established
  • Teaching hours
    8 h per week in 11 weeks
  • Preferential right
    Master students in Plant Sciences
  • Admission requirements
    Special requirements in Science