Challenges in Plant Sciences – PSC Colloquium
Date and Location
- Monday, 24 September 2018, 14.15–17.45h, room tba, Zurich, (kick-off talks by PSC lecturers); and
- Monday, 29 October 2018, 09.15–16:15h. room tba, Zurich, (group presentations of students)
PSC Lecturers
Jordi Bascompte (UZH), Elena Conti (UZH), Mana Gharun (ETHZ), Stefan Grob (UZH), Beat Keller/Javier Sanchez-Martin (UZH), Frank Liebisch (ETHZ), Timothy McLaren/Federica Tamburini (ETHZ), Andrea Sanchez Vallet (ETHZ), Daniella Schweizer (ETHZ), Thomas Boller (U Basel), Sylvia Martinez (PSC & U Basel))
Content
The colloquium “Challenges in Plant Sciences” is a core event of the Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center's PhD program and the MSc module. The colloquium introduces participants to the broad spectrum of disciplines in plant sciences. The topics offer integrated knowledge about plant sciences, they range from the molecular level to the ecosystem level, and from basic to applied science while making use of the synergies between the different research groups of the PSC. The course offers a unique chance to approach interdisciplinary topics as challenges in the field of plant sciences.
During the kick-off meeting, each involved PSC lecturer gives a short kick-off talk as a general introduction to his/her research field. Subsequently, each student group prepares a presentation chosen from a variety of topics and based on literature provided by the tutors. Students gain knowledge and practice discussing and presenting research results.
Program, Monday, 24 September 2018 (kick-off talks)
| 14h15 | Introduction to the colloquium | Sylvia Martinez PSC |
| 14h30 | A phylogenetic approach to elucidate the evolution of plant diversity | Elena Conti, UZH |
| 14h45 | Molecular diversity of resistance genes against fungal diseases in cereal crops | Javier Sánchez Martín / Beat Keller, UZH |
| 15h00 | Plant phenotyping: applications of robotics and digital sensors | Frank Liebisch, ETHZ |
| 15h15 | Role of plant functional diversity on ecosystem greenhouse gas exchange | Mana Gharun, ETHZ |
| 15h30 | Networks of species interactions | Jordi Bascompte, UZH |
| 15h45 | Break | |
| 16h15 | Forest landscape restoration | Daniella Schweizer, ETHZ |
| 16h30 | Function of virulence factors in plant pathogenic fungi | Andrea Sanchez Vallet, ETHZ |
| 16h45 | The chemical nature and cycling of phosphorus in soil-plant systems | Timothy McLaren, ETHZ |
| 17h00 | Studying 3D nuclear architecture in plants | Stefan Grob, UZH |
| 17h15 | All student groups meet with their respective tutor to define content and work schedule for student talks. | All participants |
| 17h45 | Approximate end of first event |
Main objectives
- Introduce PhD and Master students to the broad field of plant sciences
- Promote active participation and independent student work
- Enhance presentation and discussion skills
- Increase interactions among students and teachers
- Promote an interdisciplinary and integrative teaching program
Course structure and timetable
- Students register with PSC and choose a topic through the doodle (tba).
- During the kick-off meeting PSC lecturers hold short talks on their research topics and groups. Afterwards student groups meet with tutors/lecturers to define their talks scheduled for November and to plan the student teamwork.
- Between September and October: Each student group prepares its colloquium talks independently. Literature will be provided.
- Colloquium block course will be held in October, (check the exact schedule further up this website). Student groups present their talks. Each student receives grading and feedback from two experts.
Grading and Credit Points
2 Credit Points for PhD and Master students. Based on 8 days of work (= 60 learning hours) consisting of 1.5 days block course and 6.5 days of independent preparation time for the talk.