# BIOL40370

**Source**: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=MODULE&MODULE=BIOL40370&TERMCODE=202500&ACYR=2026
**Parent**: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=ESS1&AUDIENCE=

Academic Year 2025/2026

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#### Plant Pathology and Biotechnology (BIOL40370)

Subject:
:   Biology

College:
:   Science

School:
:   Biology & Environment Science

Level:
:   4 (Masters)

Credits:
:   5

Module Coordinator:
:   Professor Fiona Doohan

Trimester:
:   Autumn

Mode of Delivery:
:   On Campus

Internship Module:
:   No

How will I be graded?
:   Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This course requires a basic prior knowledge of genetics and biotechnology. It introduces students to the EU Green Deal and the new directives on biodiversity and reduced pesticide usage. Thereafter, it explains how plant breeding and the use of biotechnology can help Ireland and the globe reach its sustainability targets. It overviews the use of biotechnology for disease diagnostics, crop and pathogen biodiversity analysis and breeding for disease resistance. It will provide students with a theoretical understanding of the principals underlying disease control, including those focused on low input biotechnological applications.

## About this Module

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### What will I learn?

###### Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this course you should be able to :\
• Understand the EU Green Deal concepts and EU directives relevant to crop production and disease control \
• Contrast and appraise disease control strategies.\
• Apply DNA, protein and metabolome technology to plant disease studies.\
• Understand the concepts of disease resistance breeding.\
• Understand the principles underpinning genetic engineering of crops and the application of this technology to disease control.

###### Indicative Module Content:

In this module, you will develop a portfolio based on this disease on key topics (see below, from weeks 2-6) and this portfolio will be examined in week 8 as an in-class exam question. \
\
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With a focus on case study diseases, the course will overview\
o the diseases, their disease cycles and the current control strategies \
o pathogen diagnostics \
o the importance of pathogen and host genetic diversity studies for disease control\
o Breeding for disease resistance\
o Genetic engineering\
o Biological disease control\
o Future trends in disease control\
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We will also review the emerging threats and opportunities in Plant Pathology and Biotechnology. \
\
Each Tuesday there will be an online lecture from 9-11. On Thursdays, we will have virtual/real classroom tutorials, the aim of which is to discuss papers on the topics and guide you in the preparation of your portfolio. \
\
As part of the course, you will produce a portfolio on which you will be assessed in week 8. This counts as 40% of your final grade. This assessment will comprise an essay exam question on a specific component of your portfolio. 60% will be based on the final written exam. \

### How will I learn?

###### Student Effort Hours:

| Student Effort Type | Hours |
| --- | --- |
| Autonomous Student Learning | 81 |
| Lectures | 36 |
| Tutorial | 8 |
|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 125 |

\

###### Approaches to Teaching and Learning:

Task-based learning\
Peer and group work\
Face to face and Online lectures;\
Critical writing\
Reflective learning

### Am I eligible to take this module?

###### Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

**Learning Requirements:**\

Plant Diseases, Biology and Control - BIOL30010

**Learning Exclusions:**\

MSc in Plant Biology & Biotechnology

\

###### Module Requisites and Incompatibles

Not applicable to this module.
\
 \

### How will I be assessed?

###### Assessment Strategy

| Description | Timing | Component Scale | Must Pass Component | % of Final Grade | In Module Component Repeat Offered |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exam (In-person): End of semester exam covering all course material, including lectures, reading and portfolio work. | Week 10 | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 60 | No |
| Individual Project: Disease portfolio to be completed. | Week 9 | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 40 | No |

\

###### Carry forward of passed components

Yes

\

### What happens if I fail?

| Resit In | Terminal Exam |
| --- | --- |
| Spring | Yes - 2 Hour |

*Please see [Student Jargon Buster](https://www.ucd.ie/students/services/ucdstudentjargonbuster/) for more information about remediation types and timing.* \

### Assessment feedback

###### Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment\
• Peer review activities\

###### How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Class will be given feedback on their portfolios and also peer review of portfolios will be encouraged.

### Associated Staff

| Name | Role |
| --- | --- |
| Mr Natarajan Subramani | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |

### When is this module offered?

**Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.**

|  |  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Autumn | Tutorial | Offering 1 | Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks | Thurs 09:00 - 10:50 |
| Autumn | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks | Tues 09:00 - 10:50 |

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