Alien Organisms in Agriculture

Abstract

This course on alien organisms in agriculture provides an overview of invasive species, biological control agents, genetically modified plants, and domestication. A focus is the scientific assessment and regulatory management of the effects of alien organisms on the environment and the agricultural production.

Objective

Students will understand the consequences arising from the unintentional or deliberate introduction of alien organisms into agricultural systems. They will learn about the concept of environmental risk assessment and be able to evaluate risk management options. Students learn about facts, concepts, definitions and relevant applications and technologies in classroom and prerecorded PowerPoint presentations, group-work on case studies, and creative self-learning exercises. For the group-work, provided materials are supplemented with information retrieved and developed by the students. Each student is engaged in a case study that is developed in small groups and presented and discussed in-class. This group exercise fosters problem-solving, critical and creative thinking, collaboration & communication (presentation, discussion) skills as well as taking responsibility within the group. For each lecture, students are expected to formulate questions that are discussed in dedicated in-person questions & answers lectures. Feedback is provided for output generated by the students. Time windows with deadlines for some tasks allow self-management of students. The students are, however, expected to be physically present for in-person lectures, which comprise approximately two thirds of the lecture dates. The students’ performance is assessed (1) in a written exam and (2) in grading of the case-study presentation.

Content

Alien organisms in agriculture is a topic that receives an increasing awareness among farmers, agricultural scientists, regulators and the general public. Students of this course will learn about the nature of alien organisms, such as invasive species, biological control organisms, genetically modified organisms, and domesticated species. With a particular focus on plants, arthropods, and their interactions we will look at the potential threats the novel organisms pose, the benefits they provide and how both of these effects can be scientifically assessed. Students will learn how the topic of alien organisms in agriculture is intrinsically tied to policy making and regulation and get to know current examples and future challenges in research. Students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge in a practical exercise (case study).

Resources