Agricultural biotechnology

Christos DordasAssistant Professor

Faculty of AgricultrureAristotle University of Thessaloniki

Tempus Project CD_JEP-27218-2006 (GE): Developing New Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology Curricula

at Tbilisi State University

Outline

• The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the faculty of Agriculture

• Agricultural biotechnology • ECTS in AU• Quality assessments in AU.

Thessaloniki

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

• 13 different faculty• > 70000 students • >3000 teaching and research staff

(professors, associate professors, assistants professors, and lecturers)

• >1500 administrative and technical support staff

The Aristotle University has the following Faculties:

• Faculty of Agriculture • Faculty of Forestry and Natural Environment• Faculty of Veterinary Science• Faculty of Medicine • Faculty of Dentistry • Faculty of Theology with the Departments: Theology, Pastoral and Social

Theology.• Faculty of Sciences with the Departments: Mathematics, Physics, Biology,

Geology, Chemistry, Informatics.• Faculty of Fine Arts with the Departments: Visual and Applied Arts, Music

Studies, Theatre Studies.• Faculty of Law and Economic Sciences with the Departments: Law,

Economic Sciences.• Faculty of Education with the Departments: Early Childhood Education,

Primary Education.• Faculty of Education at Florina with the Departments: Early Childhood

Education, Primary Education.• Faculty of Engineering with the Departments: Civil Engineering, Architecture,

Rural and Survey Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, General Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

• Faculty of Philosophy with the Departments: Philology, History and Archaeology, Philosophy and Education, Psychology, English Language and Literature, French Language and Literature, German Language and Literature, Italian language and literature.

• Independent Departments: • Pharmacy (Thessaloniki), Physical Education and Athletics (Thessaloniki),

Physical Education and Athletics (Serres), Jurnalism and Mass Communication (Thessaloniki), Balkan Studies (Florina).

Faculty of Agriculture

• > 2700 registered undergraduate students, 221 Master of Science students, and 138 Doctoral degree candidates.

• 111 Teaching and Research Staff members and 80 supporting stuff

• The faculty has awarded nearly 10.500 BSc degrees, 750 MSc degrees and 250 Doctoral degrees

Faculty of Agriculture

• Department of Animal Production • Department of Field Crops and Ecology • Department of Horticulture and

Viticulture • Department of Plant Protection • Department of Agricultural Economics • Department of Hydraulics, Soil Science

and Agricultural Engineering • Department of Food Science and

Technology

Agriculture

• More focus on new technologies and especially biotechnology in different aspects of agriculture

Agricultural biotechnology

• A collection of scientific techniques, including genetic engineering.– Used to improve plants, animals and

microorganisms.– Can modify crops and livestock more precisely

than traditional breeding methods.

Potential benefits and goals

• Safer food supply for consumers• Less impact on the environment• Less expensive food production• Crops less vulnerable to insects, diseases and

weeds • Crops with higher/greater nutritional content• Crops used for new materials and energy sources• Crops developed as production vehicles for

medicines and vaccines to prevent disease

Potential risks being evaluated

• Farmworker and consumer safety• Environmental effects on plants, animals

and water systems• Genes moving from genetically engineered

crops into wild plants• Pests eventually developing resistance to

pest-resistant crops• Introduction of allergy-causing compounds

into foods

Biotechnology - the program

In the first two years, students develop a strong and general background in biological science with an emphasis on fundamental concepts and basic principles of genetics, molecular biology and cell biology. Two options,

– Plant Biotechnology,– Animal Biotechnology,

Provide in-depth training and specialized knowledge in any aspect of biotechnology. Each option needs a strong laboratory component to reinforce the theoretical concepts. Students also should do an internship or practical training in a biotechnology company or university or government laboratory

Proposed coursesPreparatory Subject Matter• Introductory Biology• Inorganic Chemistry • Organic Chemistry• Physical Chemistry• Mathematics• Physics• Statistics • Computer Science • Genetics• Biochemistry • Molecular Biology• Microbiology • Animal Biology (anatomy, metabolism and physiology) • Molecular Genetics • Professionalism and Ethics in Genomics and Biotechnology• Laboratory Research in Genomics and Biotechnology

Plant Biotechnology Option• Plant Biochemistry• Plant Genetics• Principles of Plant Biotechnology• Plant Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory• Introduction to Bioinformatics• Seed Production and Quality• Entomology• Biochemistry laboratory• Advanced Eukaryotic Genetics• Nematology• Plant Pathology (Introduction to Plant Pathology, Fungal Biotechnology and• Biochemistry, Agricultural Biotechnology and Public Policy)• Crop production courses• Weed science• Evolution of Crop Plants• Rhizosphere Ecology• Plant, Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture• Introduction to Plant Breeding • Postharvest Physiology and Handling of Horticultural Commodities• Developmental Plant Anatomy• Plant Physiology• Plant Growth and Development• Physiology of Environmental Stresses in Plants• Mineral Nutrition of Plants • More courses in plant science

Animal Biotechnology Option

• Biochemistry of Animal Organism• Advanced Eukaryotic Genetics• Molecular Biology Laboratory Techniques• Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior• Embryology• Principles of Genomics• Ethics of Animal Use• Animal Cytogenetics• Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology • Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology• Genetics and Animal Breeding, • Reproduction and Early Development in Aquatic Animals • Avian Development and Genetics• Population and Quantitative Genetics• Advanced Eukaryotic Genetics• Introduction to Bioinformatics• Farm animal production • Physiology of Farm Animals Nutrition • A few courses in plant science• More courses in animal science

European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System

What is a credit system?

• A credit system is a systematic way of describing an educational programme by attaching credits to its components. The definition of credits in higher education systems may be based on different parameters, such as student workload, learning outcomes and contact hours.

What is ECTS?

• The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System is a student-centred system based on the student workload required to achieve the objectives of a programme, objectives preferably specified in terms of the learning outcomes and competences to be acquired.

How did ECTS develop?

• ECTS was introduced in 1989, within the framework of Erasmus, now part of the Socrates programme.

• ECTS is the only credit system which has been successfully tested and used across Europe. ECTS was set up initially for credit transfer.

• The system facilitated the recognition of periods of study abroad and thus enhanced the quality and volume of student mobility in Europe.

• Recently ECTS is developing into an accumulation system to be implemented at institutional, regional, national and European level. This is one of the key objectives of the Bologna Declaration of June 1999.

Why introduce ECTS?

• ECTS makes study programmes easy to read and compare for all students, local and foreign.

• ECTS facilitates mobility and academic recognition.

• ECTS helps universities to organise and revise their study programmes.

• ECTS can be used across a variety of programmes and modes of delivery.

• ECTS makes European higher education more attractive for students from abroad.

What are the key features of ECTS?

• ECTS is based on the principle that 60 credits measure the workload of a full-time student during one academic year. The student workload of a full-time study programme in Europe amounts in most cases to around 1500-1800 hours per year and in those cases one credit stands for around 25 to 30 working hours.

• Credits in ECTS can only be obtained after successful completion of the work required and appropriate assessment of the learning outcomes achieved. Learning outcomes are sets of competences, expressing what the student will know, understand or be able to do after completion of a process of learning, long or short.

• Student workload in ECTS consists of the time required to complete all planned learning activities such as attending lectures, seminars, independent and private study, preparation of projects and examinations.

• Credits are allocated to all educational components of a study programme (such as modules, courses, placements, dissertation work, etc.) and reflect the quantity of work each component requires to achieve its specific objectives or learning outcomes in relation to the total quantity of work necessary to complete a full year of study successfully.

What are the key features of ECTS?

• The performance of the student is documented by a local/national grade. It is good practice to add an ECTS grade, in particular in case of credit transfer. The ECTS grading scale ranks the students on a statistical basis. Therefore, statistical data on student performance is a prerequisite for applying the ECTS grading system.

• Grades are assigned among students with a pass grade as follows:– A best 10%– B next 25%– C next 30%– D next 25%– E next 10%

• A distinction is made between the grades FX and F that are used for unsuccessful students. FX means: “fail- some more work required to pass” and F means: “fail – considerable further work required”. The inclusion of failure rates in the Transcript of Records is optional.

ECTS is :

• a tool for transparency• a tool for fairness by recognition • a tool for permanent curriculum

development

Quality Assurancein the European Higher Education

Area

• European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA)

European standards for quality assurance in higher education

• Part 1: European standards and guidelines for internal quality assurance within higher education institutions

• Part 2: European standards for the external quality assurance of higher education

• Part 3: European standards for external quality assurance agencies

Part 1: European standards and guidelines for internal quality

assurance within higher education institutions

• 1.1 Policy and procedures for quality assurance.• 1.2 Approval, monitoring and periodic review of

programmes and awards.• 1.3 Assessment of students.• 1.4 Quality assurance of teaching staff.• 1.5 Learning resources and student support.• 1.6 Information systems.• 1.7 Public information.

Part 2: European standards for the external quality assurance of higher

education

• 2.1 Use of internal quality assurance procedures.

• 2.2 Development of external quality assurance processes.

• 2.3 Criteria for decisions.• 2.4 Processes fit for purpose.• 2.5 Reporting.• 2.6 Follow-up procedures.• 2.7 Periodic reviews.• 2.8 System-wide analyses.

Part 3: European standards for external quality assurance agencies

• 3.1 Use of external quality assurance procedures for higher education:

• 3.2 Official status (Agencies should be formally recognised).

• 3.3 Activities: (Agencies should undertake external quality assurance activities (at institutional or programme level) on a regular basis.).

• 3.4 Resources.

Part 3: European standards for external quality assurance agencies

• 3.5 Mission statement.• 3.6 Independence.• 3.7 External quality assurance criteria

and processes used by the agencies.• 3.8 Accountability procedures:

(Agencies should have in place procedures for their own accountability.)

Plant and animal Biotechnology

• First semester– Introductory Biology– Inorganic Chemistry – Mathematics– Physics – Electives

• Second semester– Organic Chemistry– Physical Chemistry– Statistics– Genetics– Electives

Plant and animal Biotechnology

• Third semester– Plant anatomy– Biochemistry– Microbiology – Animal biology– Electives

• Forth semester– Plant Physiology– Systematics – Biochemistry laboratory– Principles of crop production– Electives

Plant Biotechnology Option• Fifth semester

– Molecular biology– Plant Biochemistry– Plant Genetics– Principles of Plant Biotechnology– Electives

• Sixth semester– Introduction to Bioinformatics– Seed Production and Quality– Entomology– Weed science– Electives

Plant Biotechnology Option• Seventh semester

– Advanced Eukaryotic Genetics– Nematology– Plant Pathology– Professionalism and Ethics in Genomics and Biotechnology– Plant Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory– Electives

• Eighth semester– Plant, Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture– Plant Breeding – Molecular genetics– Postharvest Physiology and Handling of Horticultural Commodities– Electives

Electives

• Introduction to Plant Pathology, • Fungal Biotechnology and Biochemistry, • Agricultural Biotechnology and Public Policy• Evolution of Crop Plants• Rhizosphere Ecology• Developmental Plant Anatomy• Plant Growth and Development• Physiology of Environmental Stresses in

Plants• Mineral Nutrition of Plants • Crop production courses

Animal Biotechnology Option

• Fifth semester– Biochemistry of Animal Organism– Advanced Eukaryotic Genetics– Molecular Biology Laboratory Techniques– Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior– Electives

• Sixth semester– Embryology– Principles of Genomics– Ethics of Animal Use– Animal Cytogenetics– Electives

Animal Biotechnology Option

• Seventh semester– Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology – Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology– Genetics and Animal Breeding, – Reproduction and Early Development in Aquatic Animals – Electives

• Eighth semester– Avian Development and Genetics– Population and Quantitative Genetics– Advanced Eukaryotic Genetics– Introduction to Bioinformatics– Farm animal production – Physiology of Farm Animals Nutrition– Electives

Electives• Biochemistry of Animal Organism• Population and Quantitative Genetics of Farm Animals• Physiology of Reproduction in Farm Animals• Biology of Honey Bee• Genetic Improvement of Farm Animals• Physiology of Farm Animals Nutrition I• Apiculture• Range Management• Applied Reproduction in Farm Animals• Physiology of Farm Animals Nutrition II• Dairy Technology• Description, Preservation and Technology of Feeds• Applied Ruminant Nutrition• Cattle Production• Artificial Insemination• Rabbit and Fur Animal Production• Poultry Production• Applied Nutrition of Monogastric Animals• Pig Production• Applied Poultry Nutrition• Ichthyology and Fishery• Sheep and Goat Production• Carcass and Meat Quality Evaluation

Undergraduate Programme Courses

• First Semester– General Mathematics– Physics– General Inorganic Chemistry– Principles of Economics– Elective Group A– Foreign Language

• Second Semester– Organic Chemistry– Plant Anatomy and Morphology– Agricultural Economics– Elective Group B– Elective Group B– Foreign Language

Undergraduate Programme Courses

• Third semester– Soil Science– Plant Physiology– Metereology-Climatology– Elective Group A– Elective Group A– Foreign Language

• Fourth semester– General Ecology– Systematic Botany– Statistics– Elective Group B– Elective Group B– Foreign Language

Elective courses• Elective Courses (Group A)

– Sociology– General Biochemistry– Cooperation– Farm Power and Machinery– Anatomy-Physiology of Animal– Agricultural Technology– Computer-Programming – Geology-Petrography

• Elective Courses (Group B)– Animal Breeding and Farming– General Mathematics II– General Microbiology– Genetics– Agricultural Hydraulics– Principles of Agronomy– General Zoology

Plant /Crop specialization• Fifth Semester

– Agricultural Experimentation– Soil Fertility – Principles of Plant Pathology – Pesticides Ι – Elective Group A– Elective Group A

• Sixth Semester– Weed Science– General Pomology – General Viticulture – General Entomology ΙΙ – Elective Group B– Elective Group B

Plant /Crop specialization• Seventh Semester

– Agricultural Genetics– Field Crops I (Cereals, Legumes, Forages)– Mineral Nutrients and Fertilizers – Vegetable Crops Ι – Elective Group A– Elective Group A

• Eighth Semester– Field Crops II (Industrial Crops)– Field Crops II (Practicals)– Plant Breeding– Agricultural Ecology– Elective Group B– Elective Group B

Plant /Crop specialization• Ninth Semester

– Farm Mechanization – Irrigation Principles and Practice – Mycological Diseases of Field Crops – Pests of Vegetables and Field Crops – Prices of Agricultural Products – Elective Group A

• Tenth Semester– Seed Production– Meadows, Pastures and Range Management– Elective Group B– Elective Group B– Elective Group B

Elective Courses (Group A)• From the Department

– Sustainable Development of Agric. Resources– Analytical Agricultural Chemistry– Mycological Diseases of Field Crops (Practicals) – Pests of Vegetables and Field Crops, (Practicals) – Fruit Crops (Deciduous Fruit Trees) – Fruit Crops (Deciduous Fruit Trees) (Practicals) – Nematology – Drying and Storage of Agricultural Products – Principles of Plant Virology – Productivity and Planning in Agriculture – Aromatic and Medicinal Plants

• From other Departments – Floriculture Ι– Viticulture Ι– Beekeeping– Pests of Stored Products– International Trade of Agricultural Products– Agricultural Cooperation– Agricultural Education– Agricultural Technology– Agricultural Extension

Elective Courses (Group B)• From the Department

– Environmental Chemistry– Wetlands and Agriculture– Viral Diseases ΙΙ – Greenhouse Vegetable Crop Production – Irrigation Systems – Genetics and Plant Breeding (Practicals)– Outdoor Ornamental Plants – Acarology

• From other Departments– Problematic Soils– Cereal Technology– Marketing of Agricultural Products– Introduction to Vegetable Crop Production– Marketing of Plant Products

Animal Production Specialization Courses

• Fifth Semester– Biochemistry of Animal Organism– Population and Quantitative Genetics of Farm

Animals– Physiology of Reproduction in Farm Animals– Biology of Honey Bee– Elective Group Α

• Sixth Semester– Genetic Improvement of Farm Animals– Physiology of Farm Animals Nutrition I– Apiculture– Range Management– Elective Group B

Animal Production Specialization Courses

• Seventh Semester– Applied Reproduction in Farm Animals– Physiology of Farm Animals Nutrition II– Dairy Technology– Description, Preservation and Technology of Feeds– Elective Group Α– Elective Group Α

• Eighth Semester– Applied Ruminant Nutrition– Cattle Production– Artificial Insemination– Livestock Buildings– Elective Group B– Elective Group B

Animal Production Specialization Courses

• Ninth Semester– Rabbit and Fur Animal Production– Poultry Production– Applied Nutrition of Monogastric Animals– Pig Production– Elective Group Α– Elective Group Α

• Tenth Semester– Applied Poultry Nutrition– Ichthyology and Fishery– Sheep and Goat Production– Carcass and Meat Quality Evaluation– Elective Group B– Elective Group B

Elective Courses (Group A)• From the Department

– New Techniques in Reproduction– Physiology of Milk Secretion– Hygiene and Elementary Clinic Pathology of Farm

Anim– Animal Behaviour– Animal Growth– Applications of Computers in Animal Production

• From other Departments– Analytical Chemistry– Field Crops I (Cereals, Legumes, Forages)– Science and Technology of Meat-Fish and Eggs– Prices of Agricultural Products

Elective Courses (Group B)

• From the Department– Fish Culture– Horse Production– Metabolic Role of Hormones in the Farm Animal Nutrition– Endocrinology of Farm Animals– Immunology– Sericulture

• From other Departments– Economics of Livestock Production– Principles of Agronomy– Livestock Farm Mechanization and Farm Waste Manag– Bee Pathology

Agricultural biotechnology

•Every living organism, from the smallest and most primitive bacteria to every plant, insect, animal or human being, contains DNA as the primary genetic material. •DNA directs all cellular processes, creating the incredible variety and diversity of living organisms in the biosphere. Biotechnology focuses on the mechanics of life processes and their application.•Biotechnology means “life technology” and represents an integrated, multidisciplinary field, with a profound impact today on almost every aspect of human endeavor.