Integrative Plant Biology – Bachelor of Horticultural and Plant Systems

This course examines developmental and physiological responses that enable plants to cope with a changing environment and that occur daily, seasonally and over longer timescales; e.g. global climate change. Major topics include plant responses to light, carbon dioxide levels, mineral nutrition and abiotic and biotic stresses such as drought and pests. Emphasis is on mechanisms by which changes in the environment are perceived, signalling processes that are induced, and cellular and developmental changes that help the plant cope with the changed environment.

Prerequisites: 120101

The evolution of plant lineages has many potential outcomes, ranging from extinction to diversification and speciation. This course explores the processes that influence how lineages evolve and how we investigate and interpret patterns of diversity to better understand plant evolution and speciation. Lectures consist of critical discussion of topics including species concepts, local adaptation and diversification, morphological and molecular evolution, mating systems, and the roles of hybridization and polyploidy in plant evolution and speciation.

Prerequisites: One of (120201, 120218, 120219, 196205, 196207 or 203210)

Traditional and modern methods by which plants can be modified to provide new genetic material for use in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and industry. This course links basic and applied science and focuses on how natural and induced genetic variation can be harnessed for human use. Emphasis is on the dramatic progress being made in plant breeding, QTL analysis, marker-assisted selection, tissue culture and recombinant DNA technology. The course includes discussion of environmental, ethical and regulatory issues.

Prerequisites: 203210 or 284201 Restrictions: 120304

An introductory course in chemistry suitable for students with little previous experience in the subject. The basic concepts of chemistry, including atoms and molecules, the periodic table, bonding, equilibria, chemical reactions, and chemical energetics, are taught with contextual references to everyday life.

Restrictions: 119153, 119158, 123103 may not be taken after 123101, 123102, 123104, 123105, 123171 or 123172 have been passed.

An introduction to the cellular basis of life. Spanning eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells; cellular structure and function; core biochemical components; mechanisms for generating genetic diversity; the flow of information within cells and between generations; gene expression; and a survey of the landscape of modern genomics, this course provides the conceptual foundation for subsequent courses on molecules, cells and organisms.

Terrestrial ecology and the application to conservation biology, including evolutionary ecology, population biology, species interactions, community, ecosystem and landscape ecology. New Zealand and overseas case studies are considered throughout the course. An analytical approach is taken in the field trips and laboratory work including the use of statistics to test ecological hypotheses and to identify patterns in plant and animal distributions. There is one compulsory weekend field trip.

Prerequisites: 1611xx and one of (196101 or 199101 or 199103 or 120101 or 121103) Restrictions: 196206

The course explores the diversity of plant interactions with other organisms, their ecological relevance to communities and ecosystems, and the impacts of human activities and the role of restoration ecology.

Prerequisites: One of (196205, 196207, 196217, 203210)

This fundamental course for the biological sciences explores the genetic principles and evolutionary processes important for understanding the relationships among genetic diversity, phenotype variation, and biological evolution. Topics include sources of molecular genetic variation, the genetic basis of traits with simple and complex patterns of inheritance, evolutionary mechanisms and patterns, and molecular evolution.

Prerequisites: 162101 Restrictions: 203202 and 203212

This course offers students modules covering different aspects of agronomy from which they need to select two. Modules: Weed control, farm forestry, seed technology and crop production. Each module runs for 6 weeks and includes laboratory or field work.

Prerequisites: 119120

The importance of diseases, pests and weeds to horticultural, agricultural and forestry production, trade, gardening and conservation is outlined. The course introduces the biology of these organisms and gives an understanding of their management and control. An introduction to strategies available for chemical, non-chemical and integrated control methods is included together with examples. A course of practical work.

Prerequisites: 119120 or 120101 or 283101 or 284101 Restrictions: 171284

This course delves into urgent issues like climate change and other major environmental challenges that affect natural and built ecosystems today and into the future. This course highlights the interconnected dynamics of social, technological, political, economic, and environmental change. Focusing on critical areas such as greenhouse gas emissions, the sustainability of production and consumption systems, land degradation, loss of biodiversity, soil contamination, water scarcity and pollution it helps students understand the causes and consequences of these problems.

Restrictions: 121210 or 121311

An introductory biochemistry course covering the fundamental concepts of protein structure and function as well as metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids. The focus will be on energy transactions in a physiological context including glucose homeostasis and muscle metabolism in mammals. A lecture and problem-based tutorial course involving specific case studies will be complemented by a hands-on laboratory course.

Prerequisites: 123101 or 123104 or 123103 (A pass required) Restrictions: 122222, 227111, 227106

An introductory biology course on the way organisms react, adapt, and interact. The course investigates the relationships between genotype, phenotype and environment, and the diversity of life on Earth within a phylogenetic framework. The course includes an examination of the dynamic interactions within and between abiotic and biotic components of ecosystems, including a focus on the evolutionary ecology of behaviours such as foraging, mating, parenting, and cooperation.

An introduction to the scientific history and evidence for climate change. Evidence of anthropogenic influence on the climate will be explored by examining data gathered across all fields of science and across a range of environments including terrestrial, marine, and atmospheric. Students will develop strategies to understand, interpret and communicate scientific information in the context of climate change.

Restrictions: 246101

A systems approach to understanding socio-ecological interactions at the landscape level. Content includes fundamental ecological principles, the quantification of ecological services and the importance of recognising the diverse social and cultural considerations that shape socio-ecological systems including Matauranga Māori.

Prerequisites: 196101

Energy metabolism in higher eukaryotes from the perspective of life on earth and the necessary adaptation of living organisms from an anaerobic to aerobic environment. Carbohydrate, lipid and nitrogen metabolism in the context of health and disease. Integration and regulation of carbohydrate, lipid and amino acid metabolism. A lecture and problem-based tutorial course complemented by a hands-on project-based laboratory course.

Prerequisites: 122102 Restrictions: 122233

Introduction to handling and analysis of digital geospatial data. Operation of GIS software, including collection, processing and understanding of data, production of maps and geospatial projection systems. Integration of spatial statistical software with GIS. Introduction to appropriate spatial statistics techniques including kernel smoothing, kriging, point processes and spatially correlated areal data.

Prerequisites: 161111 or 161122 or 297101 Restrictions: 233251, 233301

This course will explore common Te Ao Māori values associated with Māori environmental management and provide practical experiences with assessing and monitoring our unique environments from a Māori and Iwi perspective. Students will be provided with opportunities to understand the holistic nature of Māori cultural concepts and engage with cutting edge Pūtaiao experiences.

An integrative course designed to emphasise the importance of the broad knowledge base gained in the degree and the value of multidisciplinary teams in addressing the issues and problems of importance to the industries served by the degree. Emphasis will be placed on the application of knowledge to problem-solving, group learning and problem-solving strategies and communication in the context of applied science. Real-world problems will be used.

Prerequisites: 119250

Knowledge of remote and proximal sensing, and precision livestock techniques to provide information to mitigate environmental impacts under intensive farm production systems. Consideration of issues of resource use, optimization of farm production and environmental performance of primary industries.

The principles and practice of conservation and management of populations. Ecological principles are applied to the sustainable use of natural resources including conservation of threatened species and fisheries management. The practical component includes statistical analysis and modelling. There is a compulsory field trip day.

Prerequisites: 196205

Advanced molecular biology methods to address areas ranging from detection of microbial pollution and vaccine development, to molecular characterization of inherited diseases and cancer. Topics will include gene cloning, PCR, recombination, transposons, transgenes and mutagenesis using state-of-the-art technologies like CRISPR and gene drives. Students will gain practical experience by planning and performing a DNA technology project encompassing primer design, PCR, molecular cloning, DNA quantification, electrophoresis, DNA sequencing and computer analysis of the recombinant construct.

Prerequisites: One of 122231, 162211, 203240 or 203211 Restrictions: 203300, 203340

This advanced course focuses on the practical computational skills needed to extract biological information from the genome and associated ‘omics systems, including transcriptomes, metagenomes and comparative genomics. Delivered via tutorials and hands-on activities, the course is assessed solely through practical assignments and spans topics including the dynamic nature of the genome through to sequence analysis, curation, annotation and data visualization. This introduction to computational analysis is geared towards biologists and assumes no previous knowledge or familiarity with computational methods.

Prerequisites: 162101 Restrictions: 203328 and 203341

The course provides an opportunity for third year undergraduate students in the biological sciences to gain research experience in an academic laboratory. Under supervision of faculty students will develop a short research proposal, carry out the proposed research, write a research report, and present their findings.

The role of crop architecture and the modification of the aerial environment for optimising yield and pre-harvest product quality, as well as the factors affecting quality and shelf life of horticultural commodities through the handling chain.

Prerequisites: 120217 or 284201