ECTS credits ECTS credits: 3
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Hours of tutorials: 1 Expository Class: 12 Interactive Classroom: 12 Total: 25
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary subject Master’s Degree RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Plant Production and Engineering Projects
Areas: Plant Production
Center Higher Polytechnic Engineering School
Call: Second Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
To introduce the future Master to the basic contents and tools of Forest Breeding and to present the current panorama of research in forest breeding, especially focused on the Spanish forestry sector.
Contents of the memory: Molecular bases of inheritance. Genetic structure of populations. Reproductive systems. Genetic markers, QTLs and marker-assisted selection. Breeding programmes. Phenotypic mass selection. Genetic testing. Germplasm banks. Forest genetic improvement in Spain. Biotechnology and genetic engineering.
Contents developed:
Theory content:
(Approximately 45 face-to-face minutes per topic (12 hours) and 150 non-face-to-face minutes/topic (39 hours). including exercises and test preparation.
SECTION I: Basic principles of breeding (3 hours), COM2-07.
1) Molecular Basis of Inheritance. Chromosomes, Recombination and Mendelian Genetics.
2) Genetic Markers: Morphological, Biochemical and Molecular.
3) Quantitative Genetics: Polygenic Traits, Heritability, Genetic Correlations.
4) Intrapopulation Variation. Geographical Variation - Breeds, Clines and Ecotype.
SECTION II: Forest Breeding (6 hours)COM2-08, COM2-09; HAM2-05
1) Breeding Programmes- Structure, Concept, Importance, economics
2) Base Populations: Species, Hybrids, Seed Sources
3) Phenotypic Mass Selection - Genetic Gain, Traits for Improvement: Growth, Morphological, Technological, Adaptive, Resistance, Juvenile-Adult Correlation
4) Genetic trials: Seed orchards. Provenance trials. Species introduction.
5) Data analysis: Models, Variance Components, Reproductive Value.
6) Development: Open Pollinated Varieties, Full Sibling Families, Clones, Artificial Hybrids.
7) Germplasm Banks: in situ, ex situ.
8) Forest Breeding in Spain: natural stands, provenances, production systems of forest reproductive materials, regulations, programmes.
SECTION III: Biotechnology (3 hours), COM2-09, CEM2-06
1) Genomics (and other -omics). Functional Analysis of Genes
2) Selection and Breeding using Markers
3) In Vitro Culture of Plant Cells and Tissues
4) Genetic Engineering: Target traits, Transformation and Regeneration.
Interactive Classes (Practical): (TOTAL: 12 classroom hours and 9 non-classroom hours)
Laboratory practicals (In vitro culture, micrografting) (8 classroom hours and 4 non-classroom hours), COM2-09, CEM2-06
Field Practical: Visit to Seed Orchard and Selected Stands (4 classroom hours and 5 non classroom hours), HAM2-05
Basic and complementary bibliography
Basic bibliography
White et al. (2007). Forest Genetics. CABI
Complementary bibliography
Shri Mohan Jain and P.M. Priyadarshan (Eds.) (2008). Breeding plantation tree crops : Temperate species New York ; London : Springer, 2008
Pâques, LE (2013) Forest Tree Breeding in Europe: Current State-of-the-Art and Perspectives. Springer Science & Business Media
Successful completion of this course will result in knowledge of:
COM2-07. Molecular basis of inheritance, genetic markers and reproductive systems.
COM2-08. The structure, objectives and economic aspects of genetic improvement programmes.
COM2-09. Biotechnological and other techniques used in breeding programmes.
In addition, the student will be able to:
HAM2-05. Design a forest genetic improvement plan.
This subject will contribute to the acquisition of the following competences:
A) Specific:
CEM2-06. Knowledge and ability to develop and apply technology in the field of forest breeding.
B) General:
CG06. Ability to develop techniques and projects in the field of forest breeding.
Expository teaching (12 hours) will be carried out by combining lectures with case studies, debates and discussion forums, depending on the needs of each case. The subject will be associated with a virtual classroom that will be used to provide documentation, develop online activities, and as a means of communication between teachers and students.
The interactive teaching (12 hours) will consist of:
-Laboratory practice (micropropagation/micrografting) (8 hours).
-Field Practical: Field trip to a Seed Orchard or Provenance Trials. Justification: The practical allows in situ observation of a real genetic trial within a breeding programme. (4 hours)
-Problem solving: exercises, critical analysis of scientific articles in English, elaboration of a topic for classroom presentation, online information searches on specific topics.
The basic assessment system is by continuous assessment. Completion of the practicals (including the trip) and attendance at theory classes (>85%) are compulsory in order to pass the subject. Failure to meet the minimum attendance requirements means that it will not be possible to take the final exam, both in the ordinary and extraordinary exams.
When the student follows the continuous assessment modality, but the grade obtained is not sufficient to pass the subject, he/she may take the final exam, either of the totality of the contents or only of some parts.
Those students who are only assessed by Final Examination and have not participated in at least 80% of the proposed tasks and tests can obtain a maximum mark of 8.0.
-Evaluation system (Knowledge, Skills, Competences): Weight in the grade.
-Participation in lectures and interactive classes: 10%
-Periodic assessments (COM2-07, 08, 09; ): 30%
-Completion of proposed activities, in person or online. Preparation and presentation of a topic in class (HAM2-06, CEM2-06, CG-06): 45%
-Practice reports (HAM2-06): 15%
-Final exam (if the student fails the continuous assessment) (COM2-07, 08, 09; CEM2-06, CG-06): up to 75%
Repeating students: In the case of repeating students, they will be exempt from attending the practical exercises they passed the previous year (laboratory and fieldwork (trip)). They would therefore have a new opportunity to be continuously assessed on their participation, on midterm tests, and on the proposed in-person or virtual classroom activities, in addition to the final exam.
CONDITIONS FOR EXEMPTION FROM ATTENDANCE
Students who have been granted an exemption from attendance by the Degree Committee, in accordance with the Class Attendance Regulations, will be partially exempt from attendance, covering the theory portion. In-person attendance at practical sessions (>85%) is an essential requirement.
Regarding the theory portion, students may choose to complete the activities and partial tests proposed for continuous assessment, within the timeframes defined for each activity and test (for tests, no special schedule will be established for students with exemptions). Students will be assessed under the same conditions as those mentioned above for this type of assessment. If the student is assessed solely through a final exam, the student will have a maximum grade of 10 and will be weighted 85% of the assessment (the remaining 15% will correspond to practical reports).
"In cases of fraudulent completion of exercises or tests, the provisions of the Regulations for the Assessment of Students' Academic Performance and the Review of Grades will apply."
In accordance with the Study Plan:
Theory teaching 12 h
Interactive teaching (laboratory) 12 h
Tutoring in small groups 1 h
Personal work of the students 50 h * * Total 75 h
TOTAL 75
*Approximate distribution:
-Reading and preparation of subjects: 15 hours
-Exercises: 14 hours
-Preparation of practicals, and Tasks after practicals: 9 hours
-Preparation of exams: 12 hours
Keep it up to date.
Attend tutorials.
Carry out the exercises proposed for continuous assessment.
Consult the recommended bibliography.
Juan Luis Fernández Lorenzo
Coordinador/a- Department
- Plant Production and Engineering Projects
- Area
- Plant Production
- juanluis.fernandez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer