NES3308 : Advances in Plant Science Research
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Patricia Lopez-Calcagno
- Co-Module Leader: Professor Sam Wilson
- Lecturer: Professor William Willats, Professor Angharad MR Gatehouse, Dr Maxim Kapralov
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
Plants serve as the conduit of energy into the biosphere, provide food and materials used by humans, and they shape our environment. This module aims to show how plant science research underpins and is helping to tackle current global challenges of food security, renewable energy, conservation of resources and climate change. The module considers;
i) fundamental aspects of plant science which encompasses aspects like photosynthetic physiology and
biochemistry, Nitrogen uptake, cell wall biochemistry and plant-pathogen interactions and
ii) explores how new technologies can exploit and manipulate these fundamental aspects of plant science in order to improve the productivity, health and quality of plants and plant-derived products in a changing climate.
The module’s teaching is research-led, using up-to-date scientific literature and interactive teaching sessions. Students will read research papers and learn how to critically analyse them to facilitate learning.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module content will include topics such as:
• The importance of photosynthesis and implications for food and energy security
• RuBisCO structure and function
• Evolution of carbon concentrating mechanisms and alternative modes of photosynthesis
• Engineering photosynthesis to enhance plant productivity in a changing climate
• Nitrogen uptake
• Nature of plant diseases and Plant disease resistance.
• Integrated pest management and biocontrol
• International biosecurity and plant health
• Plant cell wall diversity: applications for bioengineering and bioprospecting
• Below ground plant/microbe interactions
• Group poster presentations/mini conference to consider how new technologies and developments in a particular aspect of plant science research can tackle ‘real-world’ challenges
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Open book exam, to be done via Inespera |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 5 | 6:00 | 30:00 | Revision of lecture material in preparation for final assessment |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Lectures & Seminars delivered in person |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 20 | 3:30 | 70:00 | Canvas - lecturers will give students relevant reading for module topics throughout the semester |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 20 | 0:30 | 10:00 | Online via Canvas - reading materials related to preparation for the group course work |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Group Discussions and preparation of Poster for mini-conference. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Lecture follow up |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 20 | 2:00 | 40:00 | Study of lectures, RECAP, Canvas materials etc. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | In person mini-conference to discuss how new technologies and developments in a particular aspect of plant science research can tackle ‘real-world’ challenges. Group poster presentations. |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures delivered face to face will explain key concepts and outline illustrative examples using short video and audio recordings plus powerpoint slides. Recorded lectures will be made available to students via ReCAP. Students will be able to gauge their understanding of the lecture materials by completing quizzes (formative assessment) on CANVAS. Private study will augment the framework given by lectures and engender depth of understanding through extensive reading of directed literature citations from journals and textbooks with a high scientific impact.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 120 | 2 | A | 75 | Open-book exam in Inspera. Two questions (essay-style max 1000 words and abstract writing max 250 words) |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poster | 2 | M | 25 | Students work in self-assigned groups (pairs or up to 4-5 students depending on class size, option to work individually will be given to those who need it) chose a relevant topic, prepare and a poster to be presented at mini conference. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 2 | M | Series of in-class quick formative quizzes. This will enable the students to evaluate their own learning and identify areas that need strengthening by independent study or engaging in discussions during the scheduled lectures. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The Digital Open-book exam will consist of 2 sections: a 1000 words essay, worth 70 % of assessment mark and writing an abstract for a paper (up to 250 words) worth 30 % of assessment mark. Each section will present 2-3 alternatives (questions or papers) that will cover all topics presented in the lectures. Students will tackle one question from each section and the essay-type and abstract formats of the answers will allow students to demonstrate their understanding and critical synthesis of the concepts outlined by the lectures, enhanced by the depth resulting from additional reading of the scientific literature that is recommended throughout the course; as well as their capacity to quickly understand an effectively summarise a paper presenting novel research in the subjects studied.
The course will be complemented by a mini conference where students will present a Group POSTER. This will allow them to demonstrate awareness of how new technologies and developments in a particular aspect of plant science research can tackle ‘real-world’ challenges; as well as demonstrate other aspects of their communication skills.
The two summative assessments will be complemented by digital quizzes (formative assessment) that the students will take during the in-person sessions to help them identify areas of strength and areas where further work is needed; and to aid with in-class engagement.
In-class quick formative quizzes. This will enable the students to evaluate their own learning and identify areas that need strengthening by independent study or engaging in discussions during the scheduled lectures.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES3308's Timetable