Agricultural Sciences Master  |
 Major in Plant Sciences |
| Disciplinary Competences |
| Crop Health |
| Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers |
|---|
| 751-5121-00L | Insect Ecology  | W+ | 2 credits | 2V | C. De Moraes,
N. Stanczyk |
| Abstract | This is an introductory class on insect ecology. During the course you will learn about insect interactions with, and adaptations to, their environment and other organisms, and the importance of insect roles in our ecosystems. This course includes in-person
lectures, small group discussions and outside readings. |
| Learning objective | The aim of the course is for you to be able to describe examples of insect interactions and evaluate their impact on broader ecosystems. Important topics include: insect-plant interactions, chemical ecology, predator-prey interactions, vectors of disease, social insects, mutual and parasitic interactions, and examining insect ecology in an evolutionary context. |
| Lecture notes | Provided to students through Moodle |
| Literature | Selected required readings (peer reviewed literature). Optional recommended readings with additional information. |
| Competencies | | Subject-specific Competencies | Concepts and Theories | assessed | | Social Competencies | Communication | fostered | | Cooperation and Teamwork | fostered | | Personal Competencies | Critical Thinking | assessed |
|
| 751-4811-00L | Alien Organisms in Agriculture | W+ | 2 credits | 2G | J. Collatz,
M. Meissle |
| Abstract | The course focuses on alien organisms in agriculture as well as the scientific assessment and regulatory management of their effects on the environment and agricultural production. |
| Learning objective | Students will understand the consequences arising from the unintentional or deliberate introduction of alien organisms into agricultural systems. They will be able to understand the concept of environmental risk assessment and be able to evaluate risk management options. |
| Content | Alien organisms in agriculture is a topic that receives an increasing awareness among farmers, agricultural scientists, regulators and the general public. Students of this course will learn about the nature of alien organisms such as invasive species, biocontrol organisms and genetically modified organisms. With a particular focus on arthropods, plants and their interactions we will look at the potential threats the novel organisms pose, the benefits they provide and how both of these effects can be scientifically assessed. Students will learn how the topic of alien organisms in agriculture is intrinsically tied to policy making and regulation and get to know current examples and future challenges in research. In the last part of the course students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge in a practical exercise (case study). |
| Lecture notes | Material will be distributed during the course |
| Prerequisites / Notice | A part of the course will take place in flipped classroom mode, i.e. some lectures will be available as podcasts. |
| Competencies | | Subject-specific Competencies | Concepts and Theories | assessed | | Techniques and Technologies | assessed | | Method-specific Competencies | Analytical Competencies | assessed | | Decision-making | assessed | | Social Competencies | Communication | assessed | | Cooperation and Teamwork | assessed | | Personal Competencies | Critical Thinking | assessed | | Self-direction and Self-management | fostered |
|
| 701-0263-01L | Seminar in Evolutionary Ecology of Infectious Diseases | W+ | 3 credits | 2G | R. R. Regös,
S. Bonhoeffer |
| Abstract | Students of this course will discuss current topics from the field of infectious disease biology. From a list of publications, each student chooses some themes that he/she is going to explain and discuss with all other participants and under supervision. The actual topics will change from year to year corresponding to the progress and new results occuring in the field. |
| Learning objective | This is an advanced course that will require significant student participation. Students will learn how to evaluate and present scientific literature and trace the development of ideas related to understanding the ecology and evolutionary biology of infectious diseases. |
| Content | A core set of ~10 classic publications encompassing unifying themes in infectious disease ecology and evolution, such as virulence, resistance, metapopulations, networks, and competition will be presented and discussed. Pathogens will include bacteria, viruses and fungi. Hosts will include animals, plants and humans. |
| Lecture notes | Publications and class notes can be downloaded from a web page announced during the lecture. |
| Literature | Papers will be assigned and downloaded from a web page announced during the lecture. |
| Competencies | | Subject-specific Competencies | Concepts and Theories | assessed | | Method-specific Competencies | Analytical Competencies | fostered | | Decision-making | fostered | | Social Competencies | Communication | assessed | | Cooperation and Teamwork | assessed | | Leadership and Responsibility | fostered | | Self-presentation and Social Influence | fostered | | Sensitivity to Diversity | fostered | | Negotiation | fostered | | Personal Competencies | Adaptability and Flexibility | fostered | | Critical Thinking | fostered | | Self-awareness and Self-reflection | fostered |
|
| 751-4506-00L | Plant Pathology III | W+ | 2 credits | 2G | M. Maurhofer Bringolf |
| Abstract | Identification based on host, symptoms and micro-morphology, completed with life cycles and related control measures of the most important fungal diseases and their causal pathogens of annual and perennial crops with agricultural significance. |
| Learning objective | The students will learn and train preparation skills for microscopy, aquire knowledge of selected diseases (identification, biology of pathogen, epidemiology and systematics) and understand the corresponding integrated control measures practiced in Swiss agriculture. |
| Content | One exercise will be based on computer and ocular camera, also to prepare the students for the final e-exam. |
| Lecture notes | A script will be used on annual and perennial crops and their most important diseases. It will be updated stepwise |
| Prerequisites / Notice | The course will be in German (spec. nomenclature) |
| Competencies | | Subject-specific Competencies | Concepts and Theories | assessed | | Techniques and Technologies | assessed | | Method-specific Competencies | Analytical Competencies | fostered | | Problem-solving | fostered | | Personal Competencies | Critical Thinking | fostered |
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