Course Title: Plant Protection

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Plant Protection

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BIOL2354

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

135H Applied Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012

Course Coordinator: Prof. Ann Lawrie

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7157

Course Coordinator Email: aclawrie@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 223.1.68

Course Coordinator Availability: Email for appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

BIOL2156 Plant Structure and Function or equivalent


Course Description

This course has a vocational focus. The aims of this course are to enable the student to reach current understanding and practical skills in an expanding field of employment: plant protection, which is relevant to biosecurity, food security and agriculture. Students study how plants are affected by microbes (diazotrophs, mycorrhizae, viruses, bacteria, fungi and nematodes), pests and weeds in crops and natural environments; epidemiology (including economic aspects); control (cultural, breeding, chemical and biological methods) and consequences (e.g. resistance, non-target effects, pollution); and relevant legislation (quarantine, regulation of chemicals).   The content of the course will be guided and assisted by industry experts, in delivering relevant materials in lectures and for practical classes, and overseeing the content and assessment of the course.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

By the end of the course, students should be able to:
• outline and discuss how plants are affected by microbes (diazotrophs, mycorrhizae, viruses, bacteria, fungi and nematodes), pests and weeds in crops and natural environments
• list and discuss the concepts of plant pathology to the physiology of plants and microorganisms in the various types of association, including symbiosis and pathogenicity
• list and discuss the main categories of microorganisms infecting plants (symbionts and pathogens) and methods for their diagnosis and control
• explain the concepts of epidemiology and how these can be applied in selecting strategies for controlling plant diseases, pests and weeds (including economic aspects)
• outline and discuss methods of control (cultural, plant breeding, chemical and biological) and their relative advantages and disadvantages, including risks, ethical and ecological aspects, e.g. non-target effects, pollution, resistance
• outline the relevant legislation and authorities (Biosecurity Australia, AQIS, TGA etc.) and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the current system
• isolate and grow microorganisms from plant material; maintain cultures in axenic condition; identify microbiological symbionts and pathogens of plants; identify pests and diseases. 


By the end of the course, students should be able to:
• outline and discuss how plants are affected by microbes (diazotrophs, mycorrhizae, viruses, bacteria, fungi and nematodes), pests and weeds in crops and natural environments
• list and discuss the concepts of plant pathology to the physiology of plants and microorganisms in the various types of association, including symbiosis and pathogenicity
• list and discuss the main categories of microorganisms infecting plants (symbionts and pathogens) and methods for their diagnosis and control
• explain the concepts of epidemiology and how these can be applied in selecting strategies for controlling plant diseases, pests and weeds (including economic aspects)
• outline and discuss methods of control (cultural, plant breeding, chemical and biological) and their relative advantages and disadvantages, including risks, ethical and ecological aspects, e.g. non-target effects, pollution, resistance
• outline the relevant legislation and authorities (Biosecurity Australia, AQIS, TGA etc.) and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the current system
• isolate and grow microorganisms from plant material; maintain cultures in axenic condition; identify microbiological symbionts and pathogens of plants; identify pests and diseases.


Overview of Learning Activities

The students will be guided through the course by structured lectures preceding relevant practical classes in the laboratory or in the field to achieve competence in technical skills. The normal modes of teaching will be about 2 hours of lectures followed by 3 hours of practical work, but this will be varied according to the particular educational objectives for the topic. In particular, some formal practical classes may be replaced by self-directed computer-assisted studies and independent learning exercises, in particular reviewing current literature. Tutorials will be conducted informally as the need arises.


Overview of Learning Resources

Students will be provided with lists of relevant texts, library resources (Including appropriate journals) and freely accessible Internet sites. Other material will be provided in class.
Students will be able to access course information and learning material through the Learning Hub (also known as Online@RMIT).


Overview of Assessment

The assessment will comprise a theory examination, a practical test on identification of problem species, a review of a major disease, pest or weed in Australia, practical reports and a herbarium collection.