University of Bristol

This course illustrates the exciting array of developmental adaptations displayed by plants, how plants interact with beneficial and pathogenic organisms, and the importance of plants to life on earth. Teaching progresses through cellular, whole plant, and ecosystem scales. The course starts at the genetic level by explaining the molecular signalling processes through which plants acquire their basic needs of light, CO2, water, and nutrients, highlighting threats to these resources from global change. This section concludes with discussion of the root rhizosphere, thereby introducing the beneficial interactions between plants and microorganisms. The second section explores harmful interactions between plants and microorganisms. Students are introduced to the different types of crop disease and associated pathogen biology. The molecular mechanisms through which plants detect and resist pathogens are explored, before cultural, chemical, and GM approaches to disease mitigation. The final section of the course considers the importance of plants within ecosystems. This starts with plant interactions with animals, exploring plant-herbivore interactions, plant-pollinator interactions, and seed dispersal strategies. Students explore the impacts of crop production on biodiversity and the importance of and challenges faced by specific ecosystems such as forests. The course concludes with topical examples of how plant science research is addressing global challenges and future research directions.

This course considers research and theories in nutrition, physical activity, and behavioral psychology. This course examines selected aspects of child health relating to nutrition, activity, and behavioral aspects in the lives of children. Sessions examine the development of unhealthy eating behaviors in children and describe biological, behavioral, and environmental factors of nutrition and activity with special attention to community and cultural contexts. A range of issues in selected areas of contemporary health policy are explored; including childhood obesity prevention through improved nutrition, avenues to the development of high diet quality, increasing physical activity in schools, and understanding intake and activity behaviors.