A Specialization Programme
Part 1,,,,,,
...........................................................................................
Unit 1
29 Sept.-
3 Oct. ’08 and
7-9 Jan. ’09
PLANT GENETICS AND VARIABILITY.................
Content:
Historical perspectives of plant breeding
Plant reproduction systems
Plant genetics: from meiosis to gene structure
Plant genetic resources
Learning outcomes:
- To analyse the historical evolution of plant breeding, knowing which
have been the key scientific and technical advances that have influenced
its development or accelerated its results.
- To know the different plant reproduction systems, how they affect genetic
variability and how they condition the strategies and processes of
selection and breeding.
- To gain further insight into the genetic basis supporting plant breeding,
from the individual gene to the complete genome.
- To consider the importance of plant genetic resources as a source of
variability in plant breeding programmes, and to know the appropriate
processes for their collection, conservation, evaluation and use.
.......................................................................................................
Unit 2
6-21 Oct. ’08 and
9-13 Feb. ’09
STATISTICAL METHODS......................
Content:
Statistics and experimental design
Regression analysis
Genotype x Environment interaction
Learning outcomes:
- To know the statistical principles relevant to data analysis in plant
breeding programmes.
- To adequately use the statistical methods, particularly those of experimental
design and linear regression, to be able to interpret the results
correctly.
- To be familiar with the operation of the computer software useful for
statistical analyses.
- To gain practical experience in the analysis and interpretation of real
data from experiments common to plant breeding.
- To assess the importance that genotype by environment (GE) interaction
has as determinant of the adaptation properties of varieties to be
developed in a plant breeding programme, and to be acquainted with
the different GE analysis models, knowing how to interpret their results.
..................................................................................................
Unit 3
22 Oct.-
21 Nov. ‘08
QUANTITATIVE GENETICS AND GENETIC ANALYSIS...........
Content:
Population genetics
Components of variation
Response to selection
Molecular markers, gene mapping and QTL
Learning outcomes:
- To know how to determine the genetic structure of a population, to be
aware of the changes that can be produced in it throughout time, and
to know how to calculate the genetic distance between populations.
- To be able to assess the available phenotypic and genotypic variability
and to determine which are the components of variation.
- To have a good command of the genetic basis of selection, and to
know the different methods for simple-, correlated-trait- and multi-trait
selection.
- To be familiar with the different types of molecular markers most used
in genetic studies, and to gain experience in the construction and comparison
of genetic maps.
- To understand the main applications of molecular markers in genetic
studies and breeding programmes.
- To gain practical laboratory experience in DNA extraction and in the
use of marker analysis methodology.
- To develop skills in the use of computer software for development of
microsatellites, construction of genetic maps, interpretation of marker
results and detection of QTL.
........................................................................................................
Unit 4
01-12 Dec. ’08
SELECTION STRATEGIES AND VARIETY DEVELOPMENT..............
Content:
Pure line breeding
Population breeding
Hybrid breeding
Clone breeding
Learning outcomes:
- To know the different types of commercial crop varieties and the characteristics
common to each of them.
- To analyse the factors determining the selection strategy to be applied
to a particular breeding programme.
- To have a good command of selection methods, and to develop criteria
to determine their appropriateness according to the breeding objectives,
the crop reproduction system, the traits to be bred and the environmental
conditions.
- To gain further insight into the particularities of the processes of breeding
and development of new pure lines, populations, hybrids and
clones.
........................................................................................................
Unit 5
19-28 Jan. and
02-04 Mar. 09
SPECIFIC BREEDING METHODS..............
Content:
In vitro techniques
Mutagenesis
Marker-assisted selection
Interspecific and intergeneric crosses
Learning outcomes:
- To be familiar with the different in vitro culture techniques, to understand
their application at the different stages of a breeding programme,
and to gain practical laboratory experience.
- To assess the practical achievements of mutagenesis in the development
of new varieties and materials of interest in genetic studies, and
to know the methods to induce artificial mutations and the molecular
bases of resulting changes.
- To gain further insight into the application of molecular markers in selection,
as a tool contributing to assist new variety development.
- To know the in vivo and in vitro procedures and techniques used in interspecific
and intergeneric crosses, and to assess their use in the
transfer of genes of interest.
....................................................................................................
Unit 6
02-05 and 16-18
Feb. and
9-13 Mar. ’09
APPLICATION OF GENOMICS TO PLANT BREEDING. PLANT
TRANSFORMATION .....................
Content:
Plant genomes
Gene discovery
DNA sequence diversity
Genome databases and bioinformatics
Tools for dissecting complex traits
Plant transformation
Learning outcomes:
- To know the objective of genome analysis projects of certain model
plant species, and the possibilities offered by their comparison with
other important agronomic species.
- To understand the interest to identify genes, isolate them, determine
their function and control their expression.
- To know how to identify genetic variability, locating gene regions linked
with traits of interest for breeding, and determining the connexion
between phenotypic and genotypic variability.
- To gain experience in the use of different available genomic databases
and of the computer software specific to genomic analyses.
- To know how to apply classical and advanced tools for QTL analysis
and for location and identification of complex traits of breeding interest.
- To gain further insight into the use of genetic transformation to obtain
transgenic varieties resistant to particular biotic and abiotic stresses,
varieties of superior end-use quality, especially nutritional, and molecules
of industrial or pharmaceutical value, and to assess the advantages
and drawbacks of the application of this methodology from a
technical and social point of view.
- Be able to integrate these genomic advances in conventional breeding
programmes to obtain specific objectives and enhance the efficacy of
programmes.
.......................................................................................................
Unit 7
16 Mar.-
3 Apr. ‘09
BREEDING FOR SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES.............
Content:
Abiotic stresses
Biotic stress
Compositional traits and added value
Learning outcomes:
- To know the causes determining crop stresses produced by abiotic
factors, particularly drought and high temperatures, their physiological
and biochemical grounds and crop adaptation mechanisms for these
types of stress.
- To be familiar with the main types of crop pests and diseases, and to
understand the plant-pathogen interaction, the diverse resistance
mechanisms developed by crops and the genetic basis of such resistance.
- To understand, by means of case studies, the features determining
crop and product quality, the components of such quality and the
factors influencing it.
- To evaluate possible breeding strategies to obtain varieties of superior
quality, resistant or tolerant to particular abiotic stresses, pests and dis-eases, by selecting appropriate quality/resistance sources, using adequate
methods and techniques and incorporating genomic tools.
- To gain practical field and laboratory experience in measuring
physiological parameters related to abiotic stresses, inoculating and interpreting
infection results and assessing quality characters.
......................................................................................................
Unit 8
20 Apr.-
29 May ’09
REVIEW OF APPLIED PROGRAMMES AND SEED AND PLANT
PRODUCTION ...................
Content:
Maize breeding
Wheat and barley breeding
Pepper breeding
Fruit tree breeding
Commercial seed and plant production
Learning outcomes:
- To widen the experience in the application of strategies, methodologies
and techniques through the study of a series of cases concerning
current breeding programmes of crops of interest.
- To contrast possible differences between strategies used in breeding
conducted by public organisms and that carried out by private firms.
- To know the national and international legislation concerning registration
of new varieties and the protection of intellectual rights, in particular
breeder’s rights.
- To be familiar with the procedures of production of certified seeds and
plants, with seed processing and with the functioning of the seed marketing
sector, as the final part of the breeding process.
.......................................................................................................
Unit 9
29 Sep. ‘08-
05 June ’09
DESIGN OF A PLANT BREEDING PROGRAMME...........
Content:
Throughout this first part, participants carry out an individual project of
a breeding programme on a plant species of their choice applied to
the specific conditions of their country of origin
Learning outcomes:
- To apply the principles and methodology presented throughout the different
parts of the course to tackle the design of a breeding project of a
certain crop according to the particular environmental and socioeconomic
conditions and taking into account the established objectives.
- To develop skills in the search for technical and scientific information,
as well as in its selective treatment.
- To be able to define and integrate the different components of a breeding
programme and to plan its implementation, critically assessing the
various traditional and molecular alternatives available.
- To develop skills in the preparation of documents of synthesis and in
the presentation of results.
- To gain experience in the preparation and delivery of oral communications
and in their public defence.
........................................................................................................
Part 2
The Master of Science thesis
Project
INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH:
The aim of this unit is to provide the prior knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to carry
out a research project in a particular topic in the speciality of plant breeding.
Learning outcomes:
- To improve skills in the search for information, as well as in its selective treatment.
- To develop criteria for defining the objectives of a particular research study.
- To know how to plan the research work in order to best achieve the objectives set and to optimise
time.
- To develop skills in the use of techniques and methodologies relevant to the execution of a
research project and to discern the advantages and disadvantages of each one for each particular
project.
- To know how to integrate knowledge and to learn how to analyse and contrast results.
- To value the guidance received to plan and develop a research work, fostering dialogue, criticism
and capacity to work as a member of a team.
- To develop skills for self-directed learning and autonomous work.
- To improve the capacity of response to unforeseen situations and the ability to reorient a research
if need be.
MASTER THESIS:
The aim of this unit is to apply previous education received throughout the Master programme to carry out original research in the topic chosen in the previous unit, that concludes with the elaboration of a written thesis.
Learning outcomes:
- To be able to apply previously acquainted knowledge, methods and techniques in a discerning
manner.
- To develop skills in the analysis of problems and in the definition of objectives.
- To know how to design the diverse experiments included in the research project correctly.
- To be competent in data collection and analysis according to a pre-established research protocol.
- To gain experience in the analysis of results and the elaboration of conclusions that may contribute
to clarify and find a possible solution to problems.
- To develop skills in the synthesis and presentation of contents and in the preparation of scientific
texts.
- To gain practice in the preparation and presentation of oral communications and in their public
defence.
- To acquire attitudes to favour exchange and collaboration with other researchers and professionals.
i hope you enoyed reading this
......rick
Part 1,,,,,,
...........................................................................................
Unit 1
29 Sept.-
3 Oct. ’08 and
7-9 Jan. ’09
PLANT GENETICS AND VARIABILITY.................
Content:
Historical perspectives of plant breeding
Plant reproduction systems
Plant genetics: from meiosis to gene structure
Plant genetic resources
Learning outcomes:
- To analyse the historical evolution of plant breeding, knowing which
have been the key scientific and technical advances that have influenced
its development or accelerated its results.
- To know the different plant reproduction systems, how they affect genetic
variability and how they condition the strategies and processes of
selection and breeding.
- To gain further insight into the genetic basis supporting plant breeding,
from the individual gene to the complete genome.
- To consider the importance of plant genetic resources as a source of
variability in plant breeding programmes, and to know the appropriate
processes for their collection, conservation, evaluation and use.
.......................................................................................................
Unit 2
6-21 Oct. ’08 and
9-13 Feb. ’09
STATISTICAL METHODS......................
Content:
Statistics and experimental design
Regression analysis
Genotype x Environment interaction
Learning outcomes:
- To know the statistical principles relevant to data analysis in plant
breeding programmes.
- To adequately use the statistical methods, particularly those of experimental
design and linear regression, to be able to interpret the results
correctly.
- To be familiar with the operation of the computer software useful for
statistical analyses.
- To gain practical experience in the analysis and interpretation of real
data from experiments common to plant breeding.
- To assess the importance that genotype by environment (GE) interaction
has as determinant of the adaptation properties of varieties to be
developed in a plant breeding programme, and to be acquainted with
the different GE analysis models, knowing how to interpret their results.
..................................................................................................
Unit 3
22 Oct.-
21 Nov. ‘08
QUANTITATIVE GENETICS AND GENETIC ANALYSIS...........
Content:
Population genetics
Components of variation
Response to selection
Molecular markers, gene mapping and QTL
Learning outcomes:
- To know how to determine the genetic structure of a population, to be
aware of the changes that can be produced in it throughout time, and
to know how to calculate the genetic distance between populations.
- To be able to assess the available phenotypic and genotypic variability
and to determine which are the components of variation.
- To have a good command of the genetic basis of selection, and to
know the different methods for simple-, correlated-trait- and multi-trait
selection.
- To be familiar with the different types of molecular markers most used
in genetic studies, and to gain experience in the construction and comparison
of genetic maps.
- To understand the main applications of molecular markers in genetic
studies and breeding programmes.
- To gain practical laboratory experience in DNA extraction and in the
use of marker analysis methodology.
- To develop skills in the use of computer software for development of
microsatellites, construction of genetic maps, interpretation of marker
results and detection of QTL.
........................................................................................................
Unit 4
01-12 Dec. ’08
SELECTION STRATEGIES AND VARIETY DEVELOPMENT..............
Content:
Pure line breeding
Population breeding
Hybrid breeding
Clone breeding
Learning outcomes:
- To know the different types of commercial crop varieties and the characteristics
common to each of them.
- To analyse the factors determining the selection strategy to be applied
to a particular breeding programme.
- To have a good command of selection methods, and to develop criteria
to determine their appropriateness according to the breeding objectives,
the crop reproduction system, the traits to be bred and the environmental
conditions.
- To gain further insight into the particularities of the processes of breeding
and development of new pure lines, populations, hybrids and
clones.
........................................................................................................
Unit 5
19-28 Jan. and
02-04 Mar. 09
SPECIFIC BREEDING METHODS..............
Content:
In vitro techniques
Mutagenesis
Marker-assisted selection
Interspecific and intergeneric crosses
Learning outcomes:
- To be familiar with the different in vitro culture techniques, to understand
their application at the different stages of a breeding programme,
and to gain practical laboratory experience.
- To assess the practical achievements of mutagenesis in the development
of new varieties and materials of interest in genetic studies, and
to know the methods to induce artificial mutations and the molecular
bases of resulting changes.
- To gain further insight into the application of molecular markers in selection,
as a tool contributing to assist new variety development.
- To know the in vivo and in vitro procedures and techniques used in interspecific
and intergeneric crosses, and to assess their use in the
transfer of genes of interest.
....................................................................................................
Unit 6
02-05 and 16-18
Feb. and
9-13 Mar. ’09
APPLICATION OF GENOMICS TO PLANT BREEDING. PLANT
TRANSFORMATION .....................
Content:
Plant genomes
Gene discovery
DNA sequence diversity
Genome databases and bioinformatics
Tools for dissecting complex traits
Plant transformation
Learning outcomes:
- To know the objective of genome analysis projects of certain model
plant species, and the possibilities offered by their comparison with
other important agronomic species.
- To understand the interest to identify genes, isolate them, determine
their function and control their expression.
- To know how to identify genetic variability, locating gene regions linked
with traits of interest for breeding, and determining the connexion
between phenotypic and genotypic variability.
- To gain experience in the use of different available genomic databases
and of the computer software specific to genomic analyses.
- To know how to apply classical and advanced tools for QTL analysis
and for location and identification of complex traits of breeding interest.
- To gain further insight into the use of genetic transformation to obtain
transgenic varieties resistant to particular biotic and abiotic stresses,
varieties of superior end-use quality, especially nutritional, and molecules
of industrial or pharmaceutical value, and to assess the advantages
and drawbacks of the application of this methodology from a
technical and social point of view.
- Be able to integrate these genomic advances in conventional breeding
programmes to obtain specific objectives and enhance the efficacy of
programmes.
.......................................................................................................
Unit 7
16 Mar.-
3 Apr. ‘09
BREEDING FOR SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES.............
Content:
Abiotic stresses
Biotic stress
Compositional traits and added value
Learning outcomes:
- To know the causes determining crop stresses produced by abiotic
factors, particularly drought and high temperatures, their physiological
and biochemical grounds and crop adaptation mechanisms for these
types of stress.
- To be familiar with the main types of crop pests and diseases, and to
understand the plant-pathogen interaction, the diverse resistance
mechanisms developed by crops and the genetic basis of such resistance.
- To understand, by means of case studies, the features determining
crop and product quality, the components of such quality and the
factors influencing it.
- To evaluate possible breeding strategies to obtain varieties of superior
quality, resistant or tolerant to particular abiotic stresses, pests and dis-eases, by selecting appropriate quality/resistance sources, using adequate
methods and techniques and incorporating genomic tools.
- To gain practical field and laboratory experience in measuring
physiological parameters related to abiotic stresses, inoculating and interpreting
infection results and assessing quality characters.
......................................................................................................
Unit 8
20 Apr.-
29 May ’09
REVIEW OF APPLIED PROGRAMMES AND SEED AND PLANT
PRODUCTION ...................
Content:
Maize breeding
Wheat and barley breeding
Pepper breeding
Fruit tree breeding
Commercial seed and plant production
Learning outcomes:
- To widen the experience in the application of strategies, methodologies
and techniques through the study of a series of cases concerning
current breeding programmes of crops of interest.
- To contrast possible differences between strategies used in breeding
conducted by public organisms and that carried out by private firms.
- To know the national and international legislation concerning registration
of new varieties and the protection of intellectual rights, in particular
breeder’s rights.
- To be familiar with the procedures of production of certified seeds and
plants, with seed processing and with the functioning of the seed marketing
sector, as the final part of the breeding process.
.......................................................................................................
Unit 9
29 Sep. ‘08-
05 June ’09
DESIGN OF A PLANT BREEDING PROGRAMME...........
Content:
Throughout this first part, participants carry out an individual project of
a breeding programme on a plant species of their choice applied to
the specific conditions of their country of origin
Learning outcomes:
- To apply the principles and methodology presented throughout the different
parts of the course to tackle the design of a breeding project of a
certain crop according to the particular environmental and socioeconomic
conditions and taking into account the established objectives.
- To develop skills in the search for technical and scientific information,
as well as in its selective treatment.
- To be able to define and integrate the different components of a breeding
programme and to plan its implementation, critically assessing the
various traditional and molecular alternatives available.
- To develop skills in the preparation of documents of synthesis and in
the presentation of results.
- To gain experience in the preparation and delivery of oral communications
and in their public defence.
........................................................................................................
Part 2
The Master of Science thesis
Project
INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH:
The aim of this unit is to provide the prior knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to carry
out a research project in a particular topic in the speciality of plant breeding.
Learning outcomes:
- To improve skills in the search for information, as well as in its selective treatment.
- To develop criteria for defining the objectives of a particular research study.
- To know how to plan the research work in order to best achieve the objectives set and to optimise
time.
- To develop skills in the use of techniques and methodologies relevant to the execution of a
research project and to discern the advantages and disadvantages of each one for each particular
project.
- To know how to integrate knowledge and to learn how to analyse and contrast results.
- To value the guidance received to plan and develop a research work, fostering dialogue, criticism
and capacity to work as a member of a team.
- To develop skills for self-directed learning and autonomous work.
- To improve the capacity of response to unforeseen situations and the ability to reorient a research
if need be.
MASTER THESIS:
The aim of this unit is to apply previous education received throughout the Master programme to carry out original research in the topic chosen in the previous unit, that concludes with the elaboration of a written thesis.
Learning outcomes:
- To be able to apply previously acquainted knowledge, methods and techniques in a discerning
manner.
- To develop skills in the analysis of problems and in the definition of objectives.
- To know how to design the diverse experiments included in the research project correctly.
- To be competent in data collection and analysis according to a pre-established research protocol.
- To gain experience in the analysis of results and the elaboration of conclusions that may contribute
to clarify and find a possible solution to problems.
- To develop skills in the synthesis and presentation of contents and in the preparation of scientific
texts.
- To gain practice in the preparation and presentation of oral communications and in their public
defence.
- To acquire attitudes to favour exchange and collaboration with other researchers and professionals.
i hope you enoyed reading this
......rick
.. but are these papers you wrote? or classes on the matter? Masters Degree? Your masters degree? I'm a little confused.. from the states and not familiar with a specialization programme either.. Cool topics though, I did like unit 7 the most though 
