Enrolments for 2018 have closed.
Molecular Agriculture
Undergraduate | RMI-SCB304 | 2018
Course information for 2018 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Track the emergence of new scientific approaches to plant breeding. Evaluate the molecular techniques that experts use to manipulate plant development. Focus on the new biotechnologies that could revolutionise the field of agriculture.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Molecular Agriculture
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- list and discuss the uses of biotechnology of plants in agriculture
- apply plant transformation, molecular plant breeding and functional genomics techniques in the laboratory
- use molecular and classical techniques, including tissue culture to create and test new genotypes and phenotypes
- understand the ethics of applying biotechnology strategies to plant improvement and agriculture.
- Plant transformation
- Molecular markers (marker-assisted selection and marker-assisted backcrossing)
- Genome mapping
- Molecular assessment of germplasm diversity
This subject aims firstly to familiarise the student with the new molecular techniques which are currently used to enhance conventional plant breeding and secondly, to introduce the student to a few of the emerging technologies which are likely to have significant impact on agriculture in the near future. The lecture series will include topics in the areas of plant transformation, the use of molecular markers (marker-assisted selection and marker-assisted backcrossing), genome mapping and molecular assessment of germplasm diversity.
Please note the dates below are for the compulsory requirements for this subject to attend laboratory classes at RMIT University's Bundoora Campus:
Study Period 2:
- Jun 18 - 22, 2018 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM*
Study Period 3:
- Oct 29 - 02 Nov, 2018 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM*
Practicals will be conducted demonstrating different plant transformation protocols, PCR techniques and the use of several computer packages for genome mapping and bioinformatics.
*More details will be provided at the commencement of the relevant Study Period and available on Blackboard.
- Jun 18 - 22, 2018 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM*
- Invigilated Exam (40%)
- Practical Reports (35%)
- Mini-Lecture Presentation (15%)
- Test (10%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Prior study
To help set you up for success before you start this subject, we suggest completing or having equivalent knowledge in:
RMI-SCB310 (Not currently available)
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
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