PERSPECTIVES IN PLANT BREEDING STRATEGIES - PB716

Spring Semester 2005

3 Credit Hours

Prerequisite – PB403; Optional Letter or S/U

Meet Wednesday and Friday, 3:35 – 5:15

Instructor: Mark E. Sorrells

The objectives of this course are to: i) stimulate original thought, ii) teach critical thinking and writing, iii) expose students to decisions and problems encountered in plant breeding research programs, and iv) bring together plant breeding methods and principles to form logical, innovative crop improvement programs. This course is designed to build on the basic plant breeding methods and concepts taught in the prerequisite course, PB603 - Methods of Plant Breeding. Some knowledge of quantitative genetics is recommended but not required. Modern breeding objectives require the application of breeding methods to a wide range of species, regardless of their natural reproductive biology; therefore, the class is organized around breeding topics rather than the reproductive biology of a species. The class begins with an introduction followed by sections on Special Techniques, Inbreeding Methods, Populations and Selection, and Testing Strategies.

Usually, the class meets for 2 class periods on Wednesday and Friday from 3:35 to 5:15 in Bradfield 108. Each week, 2-6 selected journal articles will be briefly introduced. The remainder of the time will be used for critical review and discussion of each of the papers assigned for that week. There may also be an opportunity for students to present ideas that they have outlined in the required papers they write for each section.

Because of copyright laws, I cannot sell or give you copies of the articles. They are on electronic reserve and everyone must download and print their own copy (or make a copy from someone else in the class). You may use a laptop in class if you prefer not to print them out. You will need to bring the articles along with your notes for discussion in each class period.

It is expected that everyone will read all the assigned papers whether you understand them or not. They may not be thoroughly understood by everyone; however, you will learn a lot just by making an effort to understand them. Each person is personally responsible for reading all, and for understanding as much of the assigned reading as possible. Since interests and educational background differ greatly among graduate students there will naturally be different levels of understanding but everyone will learn much about state-of-the-art breeding methods and concepts. Remember, the primary goal of this course is to develop your critical thinking skills.

Class attendance is graded pass/fail and more than 3 inexcused absences result in a fail for attendance. This will reduce your course grade by one letter. Most students find class participation to be essential for developing ideas when writing the sectional papers upon which the grades are based. One of the primary objectives of the course is to discover how to learn (self-educate) by constructive interaction among professional colleagues. Everyone is strongly encouraged to ask questions, express opinions, and relate information that they feel is important and relevant. Open and free discussion of all related topics is essential and reinforced in this course. Each person will be expected to participate in class discussion regularly.

Other than attendance, grades will be determined solely on 4 papers (one of each per section except the introduction) using the traditional grading scale for originality, understanding, and perception, with emphasis on originality. Papers are graded on the A-F scale. The maximum length of the section papers is two single-spaced or four double-spaced typed pages, excluding references and tables or figures. Keep in mind that the emphasis is on DEVELOPING NOVEL IDEAS OR APPROACHES to plant breeding problems, NOT a review of literature. Each paper will be due one week after the last class of each section. Late papers are accepted only in the case of extenuating circumstances and must be cleared IN ADVANCE with the instructor. The only restriction on the paper topic is that it must relate to one or more topics covered in the section just completed. If you are in doubt about the appropriateness of a particular topic, you may consult with the instructor. Class time will be reserved for students to relate the ideas or concepts outlined in their papers to the rest of the class if they so desire.

The grades are curved according to the average grades for graduate students enrolled in graduate level courses in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University. Approximately 60% of all students receive an 'A'. You may take the course for a letter grade or for pass/fail. I recommend that you take it for a letter grade to have an incentive to read, discuss, and understand as many of the papers as possible.