AGRICULTURAL GENETICS

The educational objective of Plant genetics is to provide foundations in the three main branches of genetics, genetics of character transmissions, molecular and population genetics, giving emphasis to experimental logic and problem resolution.  The expected learning outcomes declined according to the Dublin Descriptors are:

Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course the student will be able to understand the genetic and molecular basis of the transmission of hereditary characters and their variability.

Applying knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course the student will apply experimental designs in order to identify and select genotypes to obtain improved varieties. The ability to apply knowledge and understanding will be assessed  by carrying out the two questions relating to experimental problems included in the final examination.

Making judgements
At the end of the course, the student will be able to answer questions, develop a reasoning, describe the results of an experimental test and start a process of data interpretation.

Communication skills
The student will be able to describe and discuss the theoretical topics included in the course content. These skills will be assessed through the two open questions which are an integral part of the final exam.

Teaching (6 CFU) includes 21 hours of frontal lessons and 42 hours of classroom exercises. For lectures, the teacher will make use of power point presentations and videos, also in English. The exercises will consist mainly of solving problems and exercises on the covered topics, also by applying appropriate statistical tests and availing of the SOCRATIVE platform, seminars (also on line) and visits to companies.

As a guarantee of equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on their specific needs and on teaching objectives of the discipline.  It is also possible to ask the departmental contacts of CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Inclusion - Services for Disabilities and/or DSAs).

The student who accesses this course must have a good knowledge of the fundamentals of mathematics, chemistry and plant biology. These prerequisites are provided by the basic courses delivered during the first semester of the first year of the course.

Strongly recommended

Heredity  and variability - Mendelian heredity - Association and mapping of genes - Structure and function of genetic material - Mutations - Population genetics - Qualitative and quantitative characters – Evolution and speciation - Genetic improvement of plants.

1. Genetica e genomica, Barcaccia G. e Falcinelli M., Liguori editore. Volume I ,II.
2. Genetica Agraria, Lorenzetti F., Ceccarelli S., Veronesi F., Rosellini D., Albertini E. Pàtron editore, quinta edizione
   
3. Genetica agraria, Russel P.J., Wolfe S.L., Hertz P.E., Starr C., McMillan B. Edises