The students will be able to demonstrate a solid knowledge of the techniques and approaches used to address questions related to molecular plant physiology and biotechnology. They will be able to identify essential aspects of original articles and scientific reviews, analyze them critically and infer the necessary information to tackle specific topics of interest. Moreover, the students will acquire the ability to define research projects to experimentally validate hypothesis and correctly interprete results to draft coherent conclusions.

The student will be assessed on his/her demonstrated ability to discuss the main course contents using the appropriate terminology. During the oral exam the student must be able to demonstrate his/her knowledge of the course material

Methods:

• For attending students: in-class assessment with group activities (teamworks 1 and 2), individual presentations and writing original assays;
• For non-attending students: questions related to the topics discussed in class and to the manuscripts chosen by the students' groups during the Teamwork 1 activity. Part of the exam will be also devoted to the discussion of an experimental strategy to address a question of plant molecular physiology.

The students will acquire the following skills:

• critically analyse the literature concerning molecular plant physiology
• propose and optimize strategies to solve problems of plant physiology using molecular approaches in the form of a proposal
• summarize information about molecular aspects of plant biology in a synthetic and personal form

• For attending students: in-class assessment with group activities (teamworks 1 and 2), individual presentations and writing original assays;
• For non-attending students: questions related to the topics discussed in class and to the manuscripts chosen by the students' groups during the Teamwork 1 activity. Part of the exam will be also devoted to the discussion of an experimental strategy to address a question of plant molecular physiology.