autumn 2018 BIO-8005 Seminar: Molecular Environmental Biology in Microbes and Plants - 5 ECTS

Application deadline

Registration deadline for PhD students at UiT - The Arctic University of Norway: September 1st (for autumn semester)/February 1st (for spring semester).

Application deadline for other applicants: June 1st (for autumn semester)/December 1st (for spring semester).


Type of course

Theoretical

Admission requirements

PhD students or holders of a Norwegian master´s degree of five years or 3+2 years (or equivalent) may be admitted. PhD students must upload a document from their university stating that there are registered PhD students. This group of applicants does not have to prove English proficiency and are exempt from semester fee.

Holders of a Master´s degree must upload a Master´s Diploma with Diploma Supplement / English translation of the diploma. Applicants from listed countries must document proficiency in English. To find out if this applies to you see the following list:

Proficiency in English must be documented - list of countries

For more information on accepted English proficiency tests and scores, as well as exemptions from the English proficiency tests, please see the following document:

Proficiency in english - PhD level studies

PhD students at UiT register for the course through StudentWeb. The registration for spring semester starts in the middle of December, and for autumn semester in the middle of June.

Other applicants apply for admission through SøknadsWeb. Application code 9303.

Contact Ingjerd Gauslaa Nilsen at the BFE-faculty if you have troubles or questions regarding registration to the course.


Course content

Subject of the seminar will be molecular biology approaches to analyse the interaction and communication of molecules, cell compartments, cells, microbial communities, microbes and photosynthetic organisms with their respective environments. Examples from ongoing research in the Microorganisms and Plants Research Group will provide the platform for the contributions. Topics include the communication within plant and bacterial cells, communication of cells and organisms with their environment and communication in microbial soil communities as well as plant/microbial and plant/plant associations. Techniques in focus are genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic analyses in plants, microbes and microbial communities.

Objectives of the course

Knowledge; Students who have completed this course:

  • know limitations and opportunities of research questions based on current projects at UiT
  • have a good understanding of the applicability of molecular techniques
  • have an overview over novel developments in their field as well as adjacent research areas

Skills; Students who have completed this course can:

  • can present their research results using state of the art media
  • are able to exercise constructive criticism in discussion fora
  • can explain scientific work (own or from literature) to fellow students and researchers

General competence; Students who have completed this course can

  • can explain scientific work (own or from literature) to fellow students and researchers
  • convey the essence of their project to others
  • engage in critical discussions with their fellow students


Language of instruction and examination

English

Teaching methods

Seminar: 40 hours; 10 hours per semester over four semesters. The seminar will be held regularly throughout each semester. It is obligatory for all PhD students within the Microorganisms and Plants group, and is open for other interested PhD students. A formal presentation of research results and a discussion group / journal club will be held at alternating dates.

Schedule:

BIO-8005 Seminar: Molecular Environmental Biology in Microbes and Plants has the same schedule as the master course BIO-3005.


Assessment

Obligatory work: Students must regularly attend the seminar and active participate in discussions to be able to take the exam. 

Exam: 4 oral presentations of research results and current scientific literature over four semesters and assessed during the last semester. Grade: Pass/fail.

There will not be a re-sit exam.


Recommended reading/syllabus

Students will be required to give an active contribution either as presentation of their own research results or as presentation of current relevant scientific literature (e.g. new methods) once per semester, so a total of 4 presentations. Students will furthermore be required to engage in discussions after other presentations.

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  • About the course
  • Campus: Tromsø |
  • ECTS: 5
  • Course code: BIO-8005