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

Learning outcomes

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

1. Upon successful completion of the course, the students will be able to: LO-1: have knowledge about the methodology for the production of transgenic plants, LO-2: evaluate feasible potentials of plant biotechnology in agriculture, LO-3: participate in discussions on several topics in transgenic plants with his/her classmates, LO-4: gain experiences to prepare presentations on specific areas of transgenic plants.

   Contribution to Program Outcomes

   Method of assessment
2. Evaluate feasible potentials of plant biotechnology in agriculture

   Contribution to Program Outcomes

   1. Define and manipulate advanced concepts of Biology in a specialized way
   2. Understand relevant research methodologies and techniques and their appropriate application within his/her research field,
   3. Develop an awareness of continuous learning in relation with modern technology
   4. Find out new methods to improve his/her knowledge.
   5. Apply biological concepts to personal, social, economical, technological and ethical issues

   Method of assessment

   1. Written exam
   2. Seminar/presentation
3. Discuss gene transformation of plants in economic and ethic aspects.

   Contribution to Program Outcomes

   1. Define and manipulate advanced concepts of Biology in a specialized way
   2. Develop an awareness of continuous learning in relation with modern technology
   3. Find out new methods to improve his/her knowledge.

   Method of assessment

   1. Seminar/presentation
4. Review and present different studies on transgenic technology.

   Contribution to Program Outcomes

   1. Define and manipulate advanced concepts of Biology in a specialized way
   2. Question and find out innovative approaches.
   3. Ability to work independently and take responsibility
   4. Develop an awareness of continuous learning in relation with modern technology
   5. Find out new methods to improve his/her knowledge.
   6. Effectively express his/her research ideas and findings both orally and in writing

   Method of assessment

   1. Seminar/presentation

Contents
Week 1:	Agricultural Biotechnology -Potentials -Risks
Week 2:	Usage of Recent Technologies for the Identification of Plant Polymorphisms -Expressed sequence taqs (EST) -Microarray (chip) teknology -Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) -Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)
Week 3:	Improvement of Plant Tolerance to Drought and Salt Stresses -Drought and Salt Stress -Improvement of tolerance with gene transformation -The influence of osmoprotectant compounds and antioxidants
Week 4:	Improvement of Plant Tolerance to Herbicite and Insects -Agrochemical solutions -Alternatives to agrochemical solutions
Week 5:	Detection of Transgenic Plants (I) -DNA-based identification techniques
Week 6:	Detection of Transgenic Plants (II) -Protein-based identification techniques
Week 7:	Mid-Term Exam
Week 8:	Chloroplast Engineering -Advantages and limitations -Vectors and marker genes
Week 9:	Chloroplast Engineering -The results obtained in various plant species with plastid transformation
Week 10:	Production of Recombinant Proteins via Chloroplast Engineering -Vaccine antigens -Therapatic proteins
Week 11:	Production of Antibodies in Plants -Advantages and Limitations -Uses in Plants
Week 12:	Antisense Technology in Plants -RNA regulation mechanisms -Factors effecting the gene inactivation
Week 13:	DNA Microarrays in Plant Defence -DNA microarray technology -Transcript profilles in plants -Expression profilles in plant defence
Week 14:	Phytoremediation -Biotechnological approaches Biodiesel Production in Plants -Plant species suitable for efficient production -Production techniques -Economic importance
Week 15*:	-
Week 16*:	Final Exam
Textbooks and materials:	-Transgenic plants and crops, George G. Khachatourians et al., CRC Press, 2002.
Recommended readings:	1. Advances in Insect control: the role of transgenic plants, Nadine Carozzi and Michael Koziev, CRC Press, 1997. 2. Plant Biotechnology and Transgenic Plants, Kirshi-Marja oksman-Caldentey, Wolfgang H. Barz, CRC Pres, 2002.
	* 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	10
Other in-term studies:		0
Project:	2,4,10	10
Homework:	4,7,14,15	10
Quiz:	3,4,5,6,10,11,12,13	10
Final exam:	16	60
	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:	4	10
Practice, Recitation:	0	0
Homework:	6	4
Term project:	6	3
Term project presentation:	0	0
Quiz:	0.5	8
Own study for mid-term exam:	8	3
Mid-term:	3	1
Personal studies for final exam:	10	3
Final exam:	3	1
		Total workload:
		Total ECTS credits:	*
	* ECTS credit is calculated by dividing total workload by 25. (1 ECTS = 25 work hours)