Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Plant Culture & Analytical Microbiology
Module Code	BE315
School	School of Biotechnology
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Michael Parkinson Semester 2: Michael Parkinson Autumn: Michael Parkinson
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

To introduce students to ways plants may be manipulated in culture for mass propagation and for the production of superior plants through genetic transformation.To introduce students to practical microbiology with particular emphasis on the microbiological examination of food and water and the batch and continuous cultivation of bacteria.

Learning Outcomes

1. Dissect experimental protocols from the scientific literature in plant micropropagation discussing thereasons for each step in the protocol.
2. Dissect experimental protocols from the scientific literature in plant genetic transformation discussingthe reasons for each step in the protocol
3. Understand the importance of laboratory safety and care of equipment
4. Carry out laboratory techniques in practical microbiology
5. Combine theory and practical approaches to problem-solving in the microbiology laboratory
6. Analyse experimental data using statistics
7. Appreciate the requirements of record keeping, report writing and oral communications
8. Experience the demands of working within groups

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	18	Keynote lectures on Plant growth and development and plant genetic transformation
Lab	24	Microbiology laboratories
Independent learning time	83	Independent learning
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Analysis of plant starting material.
Sources of explants and the reasons for choosing them, and pre-conditioning prior to culture..

Sterility.
Initial sterilisation of cultures and of media. Maintainance of sterility. Endemic bacteria and viruses - theirdetection and removal..

Plant growth regulators.
Auxins; cytokinins; gibberellins; ethylene; abscisic acid. Non-conventional plant growth regulators..

Plant growth regulators.
Water; Salts; sugars; vitamins; undefined supplements..

Growth room requirements.
Light. Temperature and its control..

Regeneration of plants.
Organogenesis; 3 ways for somatic embyrogenesis.

The micropropagation cycle.
Stage I - establishment of plant in culture Stage II - multiplication Stage III - hardening off Stage IV -transfer to soil..

Overview of plant genetic transformation.
The history of plant genetic transformation; Vectored V non-vectored transformation; Vector construction;Protocols for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation; Protocols for biolistic transformation; Ethical issues inplant genetic transformation;.

The Microbiological examination of water.
Aerobic colony count by the spread plate method Enumeration of coliforms and E.coli by membrane filtration Enumeration of Enterococci by membrane filtration Enumeration of Clostridium perfringens by membrane filtration Enumeration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by membrane Enumeration of coliforms and E.coli using the multiple tube fermentation method.

Microbiological examination of food.
Aerobic colony count Detection of Salmonella Enumeration of Staphylococcus aureus Enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae Enumeration of E.coli Hygiene monitoring.

Batch and Continuous culture.
Batch Cultivation of bacterium Setting up of Continuous culture system Determination of growth parameters.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Open-book examination	You will be given an experimental protocol in micropropagation and must minutely dissect the protocol discussing why each element of the experimental protocol was included.	25%	Sem 2 End
Open-book examination	You will be given an experimental protocol in plant genetic transformation and must minutely dissect the protocol discussing why each element of the experimental protocol was included	25%	Sem 2 End
Report (s) (written / oral)	Microbiology Practicals	15%	n/a
Practical/skills evaluation	Microbiology labs	5%	n/a
Short answer questions	Microbiology exam	30%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 2

Indicative Reading List

S. S. Bhojwani, M. K. Razdan: 1983, Plant tissue culture, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 0444421645
Lydiane Kyte; foreword by Hudson T. Hartmann; illustrations by Sandy Godsey: 1987, Plants from test tubes, Timber Press, Portland, Or., 0881920401
W.F. Harrigan and M.E. McCance: 0, Laboratory Methods in Food and Dairy Microbiology, Academic Press,
American Public Health Association,: 0, Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater,

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

GCB

BSc in Genetics & Cell Biology

SHSA

Study Abroad (Science & Health)

Timetable this semester: Timetable for BE315

Date of Last Revision

14-APR-11

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