PLBRG 2250 - Plant Genetics

(OPHLS-AG) (CU-SBY)

Spring. 4 credits.

Prerequisite: one majors-level biology course or equivalent.

M. Mazourek.

Surveys fundamental plant genetics with a focus on applications in agriculture and plant sciences. Reviews and extends concepts from introductory biology for students with an interest in plants and their contributions to food, fiber, biofuels, ornamentals and ecology. Also preparation for advanced coursework in genetics for students considering graduate studies in a related field. Unique topics include polyploidy and organellar inheritance, pollination, seed saving and basic plant breeding. Companion lab exercises follow a generation of pea breeding and includes plant pollination techniques, DNA extraction and sequencing, molecular markers.

Students in certain circumstances can request permission to take the course without the lab: PLBRG 2253 .

Outcome 1: Students will be able to access and review the background information necessary for designing a plant breeding program or genetics study with proper citations from primary literature.

Outcome 2: Students will describe of the roles of DNA mutation, allele segregation, epigenetics and mechanisms that promote cross pollination in contributing to the diversity, ecology, genetic improvement, evolution and uses of plants.

Outcome 3: Students will be able to interpret new genetic findings, applications, tests and theories reported in the popular media or later judge their impact on their lives within a framework of examples, concepts and principles.

Outcome 4: Laboratory exercises will give students practice at following protocols and applying concepts in class to pollination, DNA extraction and analysis, scoring and genetic evaluations of plant phenotypes.