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Syllabus ( MBG 415 )


   Basic information
Course title: Molecular Plant Nutrition
Course code: MBG 415
Lecturer: Assist. Prof. Ümit Barış KUTMAN
ECTS credits: 5
GTU credits: 3 (3-0-0)
Year, Semester: 4, Spring
Level of course: First Cycle (Undergraduate)
Type of course: Area Elective
Language of instruction: English
Mode of delivery: Face to face
Pre- and co-requisites: none
Professional practice: No
Purpose of the course: This course aims to give information to students about mineral elements essential for plant life, the roles of these elements in plant growth and development and the problems caused by nutrient deficiencies.
   Learning outcomes Up

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Identify the essential macro- and micronutrients and explain their functions.

    Contribution to Program Outcomes

    1. To be able to define general concepts and problems related to Molecular Biology and Genetics and to produce solutions.
    2. To be able to understand the relationship between matter and energy in organisms.
    3. To be able to define the structure-function relationship at the molecular level in cells and organisms.
    4. To be able to explain the genetic information flow in organisms and populations.

    Method of assessment

    1. Written exam
    2. Seminar/presentation
  2. Recognize the deficiency and toxicity symptoms of mineral nutrients.

    Contribution to Program Outcomes

    1. To be able to define general concepts and problems related to Molecular Biology and Genetics and to produce solutions.
    2. To be able to explain the genetic information flow in organisms and populations.

    Method of assessment

    1. Written exam
    2. Seminar/presentation
  3. Explain plant uptake and translocation mechanisms of mineral elements.

    Contribution to Program Outcomes

    1. To be able to define general concepts and problems related to Molecular Biology and Genetics and to produce solutions.
    2. To be able to define the structure-function relationship at the molecular level in cells and organisms.
    3. To be able to explain the genetic information flow in organisms and populations.
    4. To be able to drive hypotheses using existing knowledge, designing and conducting experiment for problem solving and make correct interpretation of the results obtained from the experiment.
    5. To be able to present their studies in scientific talks and written texts in national and international scientific platforms by a foreign language.

    Method of assessment

    1. Written exam
    2. Seminar/presentation
  4. Comment on the effects of plant mineral content and fertilizer usage on the environment and human health.

    Contribution to Program Outcomes

    1. To be able to define general concepts and problems related to Molecular Biology and Genetics and to produce solutions.
    2. To be able to explain the genetic information flow in organisms and populations.
    3. To be able to present their studies in scientific talks and written texts in national and international scientific platforms by a foreign language.

    Method of assessment

    1. Written exam
    2. Seminar/presentation
   Contents Up
Week 1: Definitions and concepts related to plant mineral nutrition, overview of essential mineral nutrients
Week 2: Molecular mechanisms and models of plant mineral uptake and short-distance transport
Week 3: Roles of xylem and phloem in mineral translocation and retranslocation
Week 4: Rhizosphere and symbiotic relations in plant mineral nutrition: mycorrhiza and nitrogen fixation
Week 5: Nitrogen: physiological functions, molecular mechanisms of uptake and transport and metabolism
Week 6: Phosphorus: physiological functions, molecular mechanisms of uptake and transport and metabolism
Week 7: Potassium and magnesium: physiological functions, molecular mechanisms of uptake and transport
Week 8: Calcium and sulfur: physiological functions, molecular mechanisms of uptake and transport and metabolism-Mid-term Exam
Week 9: Calcium and sulfur: physiological functions, molecular mechanisms of uptake and transport and metabolism
Week 10: Iron and zinc: physiological functions, molecular mechanisms of uptake and transport
Week 11: Manganese, copper and molybdenum: physiological functions, molecular mechanisms of uptake and transport
Week 12: Boron, chlorine and nickel: physiological functions, molecular mechanisms of uptake and transport
Week 13: Relations between human nutrition and plant nutrition and biofortification
Week 14: Non-essential beneficial elements: sodium, silicon, cobalt, selenium, etc.-Student Presentations
Week 15*: -
Week 16*: Final exam
Textbooks and materials: - Marschner P. (2012) Marschner’s mineral nutrition of higher plants, 3rd Edition, Elsevier.
Recommended readings: - Epstein E. and Bloom A.J. (2005) Mineral Nutrition of Plants: Principles and Perspectives, 2nd Edition, Sinauer Associates, Inc.

- Barker, A.V. and Pilbeam D.J. (2007) Handbook of Plant Nutrition, CRC Press.

- Fageria N.K., Baligar V.C., Jones C.A. (2010) Growth and Mineral Nutrition of Field Crops, 3rd Edition, CRC Press.
  * Between 15th and 16th weeks is there a free week for students to prepare for final exam.
Assessment Up
Method of assessment Week number Weight (%)
Mid-terms: 8 40
Other in-term studies: - 0
Project: 14 20
Homework: - 0
Quiz: - 0
Final exam: 16 40
  Total weight:
(%)
   Workload Up
Activity Duration (Hours per week) Total number of weeks Total hours in term
Courses (Face-to-face teaching): 3 14
Own studies outside class: 2 14
Practice, Recitation: 0 0
Homework: 0 0
Term project: 15 1
Term project presentation: 1 1
Quiz: 0 0
Own study for mid-term exam: 15 1
Mid-term: 3 1
Personal studies for final exam: 20 1
Final exam: 3 1
    Total workload:
    Total ECTS credits:
*
  * ECTS credit is calculated by dividing total workload by 25.
(1 ECTS = 25 work hours)
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