• Basic information
• Learning outcomes
• Contents
• Assessment
• Workload

Learning outcomes

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. Define and manipulate advanced concepts of Biology
   2. Define the relationship among life forms and their environments and ecosystems
   3. Develop an understanding of matter and energy in organisms
   4. Identify structure-function relationships in cells and organisms
   5. Find out new methods to improve his/her knowledge.

   Method of assessment

   1. Written exam
   2. Term paper
2. Recognize the deficiency and toxicity symptoms of mineral nutrients.

   Contribution to Program Outcomes

   1. Define and manipulate advanced concepts of Biology
   2. Define the relationship among life forms and their environments and ecosystems

   Method of assessment

   1. Written exam
   2. Term paper
3. Explain plant uptake and translocation mechanisms of mineral elements.

   Contribution to Program Outcomes

   1. Define and manipulate advanced concepts of Biology
   2. Define the relationship among life forms and their environments and ecosystems
   3. Identify structure-function relationships in cells and organisms
   4. Find out new methods to improve his/her knowledge.

   Method of assessment

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

   Contribution to Program Outcomes

   1. Define and manipulate advanced concepts of Biology
   2. Define the relationship among life forms and their environments and ecosystems
   3. Find out new methods to improve his/her knowledge.
   4. Apply biological concepts to personal, social, economical, technological and ethical issues

   Method of assessment

   1. Written exam

Contents
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 and Project submission
Week 15*:	-
Week 16*:	Final exam
Textbooks and materials:	- Marschner P. (2023) Marschner’s mineral nutrition of higher plants, 4th 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
Method of assessment	Week number	Weight (%)
Mid-terms:	8	35
Other in-term studies:	-	0
Project:	15	25
Homework:	-	0
Quiz:	-	0
Final exam:	16	40
	Total weight:	(%)

Workload
Activity	Duration (Hours per week)	Total number of weeks	Total hours in term
Courses (Face-to-face teaching):	3	14
Own studies outside class:	3	14
Practice, Recitation:	0	0
Homework:	0	0
Term project:	30	1
Term project presentation:	20	1
Quiz:	0	0
Own study for mid-term exam:	20	1
Mid-term:	3	1
Personal studies for final exam:	25	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)