Applied tree breeding and biotechnology

About this programme

Knowledge equivalent to 60 credits Biology and 15 credits Chemistry. As the language of instruction is English, the Swedish language general entry requirement may not apply. The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest. Knowledge equivalent to 60 credits Biology and 15 credits Chemistry. As the language of instruction is English, the Swedish language general entry requirement may not apply. The purpose of the course is to give students an understanding of how applied genetics, breeding and biotechnology work and can contribute to increased forest productivity, forest management and sustainable timber production based on conventional tree breeding, new genomic breeding and biotechnology. How can we increase forest productivity from managing natural genetic variation via the use of breeding populations to modern plant breeding techniques using genetic modification and gene editing? Which breeding and phenotyping techniques are used in the practical work of tree breeding? The course aims to answer these questions and to introduce some basic concepts and techniques for molecular biology and genetic conservation. • Describe the variation in forest trees, from geographic to within-family variation. • Explain and argue for different ways of studying the causes of genetic and non-genetic (environment-related) variation within tree species and relate how these variations can be used for climate adaptation and breeding