Unit Code: FES400

Unit Name: Forest Biology

Description: The course will introduce the students to the biology and classification of plants in Fiji, scope & importance of forest botany, basic concepts in biology, Plant and animal cell, bacteria and archaea and photosynthetic protists, green Algae, bryophytes, ferns and their allies and its ecological, morphological and physiological adaptations to their mode of life, angiosperms - special emphasis on Swietenia spp., Santalum spp. and Rhizophora spp. Importance of forestry in Fiji with their rain forests, mangrove and the microscopic world of other organisms (such as Bacteria and Fungi) will be discussed. The importance of plants and animals to the biosphere and to humans will also be discussed. Local examples will be used. Selected forestry species will be discussed thoroughly. Practical hands on propagation of forest tree species will be covered. The purpose of this unit is to provide information on Introduction, History , definition and scope of biotechnology in Forestry; Brief introduction to plant cell structure and functions of organelles; Overview of carbohydrates, protein and enzymes; Overview of DNA and RNA; Introduction to transgenic plants or GM organism; Genetically modified plants and food varieties in market; Introduction to plant tissue culture; Introduction to biofertilizer and sewage treatments; Introduction to safety aspects, Intellectual property rights (IPR) and Patents; Biotechnology and society; Applications of biotechnology in forestry and rural development.

Learning Target Outcomes:

Prerequisite: N/A

Prerequisite Sentence: Student must be enrolled in the programme.

Credit Point: 12

Offered In: Semester 1