AGRI100432 Agricultural genetics, biodiversity and habitats

Type
course with continuous assessment
Semester hours
1
Lecturer (assistant)
Steiner, Barbara , Vollmann, Johann , Landler, Lukas , Winkler, Manuela , Strauss, Joseph , Grausgruber, Heinrich , Strauss-Goller, Sabine
Organisation
Microbial Genetics
Offered in
Sommersemester 2026
Languages of instruction
Deutsch
Content

There are two excursion options to choose from:

1. Excursion focusing on “Agricultural Genetics and Biodiversity” with a visit to Schönbrunn Zoo (1 day on animal biodiversity and species conservation programs) and the Tulln Research Center (1 day on cereal biodiversity and the use of microbial biodiversity).
2. Excursion focusing on “Biodiversity in alpine and subalpine habitats” with 2 excursion days (including overnight stay) in the Schneeberg-Rax area.

1. Excursions focusing on agricultural genetics and biodiversity:
Day 1: Animal biodiversity – Vienna Zoo (Schönbrunn) with backstage tours of areas not generally accessible to the public (research departments)
Objective: animal biodiversity, conservation of diversity, breeding programs for endangered species in the interests of sustainability; locally adapted livestock breeds using the example of cattle, sheep, and chicken breeds.

Day 2: Biodiversity of crops and microorganisms: Visit to the cereal variety show garden, microbiological research projects at the Institute of Environmental Biotechnology and the Institute of Microbial Genetics at BOKU in Tulln.
Objective: Plant biodiversity, can certain characteristics of individual varieties and landraces be traced back to specific genes? What role does microbial biodiversity play in agricultural systems and examples of the use of microbes in environmental biotechnology and for the discovery of new active substances for sustainable plant protection.

2nd excursion with a focus on diversity (with overnight stay at Schneeberg):

Visit to a subalpine to alpine habitat in the vicinity of Vienna (Schneeberg) and exemplary recording and collection of plants and animals characteristic of the respective habitat. Information on the biology and ecology of the collected plants and animals, as well as a rough assessment of their importance for the ecosystem of the landscape types they inhabit.
Previous knowledge expected

Genetics for Agricultural Sciences for the genetics-centered excursion
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

Field trip with a focus on genetics:
Students gain in-depth insight into the topic of “genes and biodiversity,” which was discussed as a basis in the introductory lecture “Genetics AW.” After participating in the two-day excursion, students will understand the mechanisms of selection using examples from humans, animals, plants and microbes. The concept of “genetics, biodiversity, and exploration/usage” will be understood using the examples of “animal breed diversity”, “plant variety diversity,” and "microbial biodiversity" the direct connection between gene function and the development or adaptation of organismic characteristics and their use of agriculture will be recognized.

2. Field trip with a focus on diversity:
Using a few selected habitats (subalpine and alpine grasslands, mountain pine scrub), students will be given an overview of the flora and fauna of these landscapes. Comparisons between the individual biotopes will illustrate the fundamental factors for the occurrence of plants and animals and allow students to experience them in the field. In addition, several field ecology methods will be demonstrated to provide an initial insight into the working methods of both disciplines.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.