BTH2800

Agriculture and biotechnology ( 6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Dr Quah Soon Cheang

Offered:
Malaysia First semester 2005 (Day)
Malaysia Second semester 2005 (Day)

Synopsis: This subject deals with agriculture in the tropics with extensive examples drawn from oil palm and rubber plantations as well as from food crops. Modern agricultural practices such as soil and crop management, maintenance of soil fertility and conservation in conventional and alternative agriculture systems, crop yield enhancement and crop protection problems will be examined and discussed. DNA modification techniques such as bacterium-mediated transformation, particle bombardment transformation and plant viral vectors and their applications in agriculture and industry will be emphasized.

Assessment: Examination (60%) + Practical Reports (30%) + Field Trip reports (10%)

Prerequisites: 12 points of First Year Biology