year: 2023

• High throughput field phenotyping and vegetation mapping

  Starting date: June 12.-16., 2023

  Registration deadline: May 15^th, 2023

  Location: NMBU Ås

  ECTS: 5

  Registration is open

  Students should register to this course through here + at NMBU using the online form linked to under practical info.

  Course leader

  

  Sahameh Shafiee

  Researcher NMBU

  Practical info

  This course will be on site at Ås.The responsible institution is NMBU. To be admitted to the course you must register both here and at NMBU.

  Important! Registration is binding! Do not register for a course unless you are sure that you can attend.
  Course participants that are Photosyntech members must register both ways:

  1. Register to Photosyntech using the form at the bottom of this page.
  2. Register through NMBU, the host university using this online form.

  Course content

  This course aims to introduce the emerging research fields of high throughput plant phenotyping used for vegetation mapping and plant breeding, with a focus on remote sensing field phenotyping methodologies and related data analysis.

  The basic principles of commonly used remote sensing UAV-based imaging methods in high-throughput field phenotyping and vegetation mapping will be introduced together with practical examples. A special focus will be put on giving the students hands-on training in use of field phenotyping methodologies, including gathering data from hand-held devices and UAVs and robots, and analysis of the data to answer biological questions. The objective of the course is to provide the participating students with the basic knowledge and understanding of remote sensing and field phenotyping methodologies and associated data processing as research tools in agricultural and biological sciences.

  This is a joint PHOTOSYNTECH and NOVA-funded PhD course to be held physically at NMBU in Ås.

  For further information, please contact

  Sahameh Shafiee: sahameh.shafiee@nmbu.no

  Morten Lillemo: morten.lillemo@nmbu.no

  Learning outcome

  Participation in lectures and daily learning diaries (2 ECTS)

  • knowledge about analysis sensors available for plant phenotyping and vegetation mapping
  • knowledge about standard data analysis pipelines for field phenotyping data
  • gaining understanding of the opportunities and challenges in experimental design in plant phenotyping

  Participation in the workshops (1 ECTS)

  • gaining hands on experience in field phenotyping methodologies, image-based data acquisition, and data processing  

  Literature study, presentation and lab report as pre and post assignments (2 ECTS)

  • gaining deeper understanding of the chosen biological process and chosen technology through own study
  • application of gained knowledge in the writing of the data analysis report (post course assignment)

  Learning activities

  Lectures. The following topics will be covered: Remote sensing and field phenotyping methodologies. Data processing and analysis of UAV images from field trials. Low-cost phenotyping methods.

  Workshops with hands-on training in field phenotyping methods

  Journal club: student presentations of pre-assigned literature in groups.

  Prerequisites

  MSc degree in a relevant field is required. Relevant fields: agriculture, forestry, biological and environmental sciences.

  Mandatory activity

  Pre-course assignment, active participation in journal club, lectures and training activities, writing of learning diary and data analysis report. 

  Course dates

  June 12-16, 2023.

  Admission deadline

  May 15^th 2023.

  Admission requirements

  To apply for this course you must be a PhD candidate at one of the Norwegian institutions. The course is intended for PhD students with basic knowledge in relevant fields of plant breeding, biology and environmental sciences. Students with plant phenotyping and vegetation mapping related research in their PhD project will get priority. 

  The course will be arranged with a minimum number of 5 students. Maximum participants: 25.

  If the number of applicants exceeds the number of places available, applicants will be ranked in this order: 1. Photosyntech and NOVA PhD candidate members 2. NMBU PhD candidates. 3. Other.

  Language

  English.

  Examination

  Pass/Fail based on active participation in assignments and workshops, presentation, submission of learning diaries and data analysis report.

  31. October 2022

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• Plant stress biology surveillance and experimental design

  Starting date: Nov. 6^th – 10^th, 2023

  Registration deadline: May 31^st, 2023.

  Location: Tromsø

  ECTS: 3

  Registration is closed

  Students should register to this course through here +UiT.

  Course leader

  

  Laura Jaakola

  Professor UiT

  

  Katja Karppinen

  Associate Professor UiT

  Practical info

  This course will be on site in Tromsø.The responsible institution is UiT. To be admitted to the course you must register both here and at UiT. UiTs local course code is BIO-8033 (link to UiTs course page). This course will also be given as a master course.

  Important! Registration is binding! Do not register for a course unless you are sure that you can attend.

  Course participants that are Photosyntech members must register both ways:

  1. Register to Photosyntech using the form at the bottom of this page.
  2. Course participants must register at UiT:
     • UiT students must register through studentweb, deadline May 31^st.
     • Non-UiT students must request guest status from UiT. Instructions can be found here. Deadline May 31^st.

  Course content

  The course covers introduction to various imaging methods in greenhouse and field conditions. It includes both theory and hands-on training in addition to seminars and home essays. The lectures will provide background information on biological imaging, examples of practical research cases, and the basics of the handling of the image data. The practical course will contain setting up the experiment, imaging of stress treated and the control plants and exercising on the handling of the research data.

  Lectures:  10 h

  Practical labs of imaging and computing: 24 h

  Seminars: 6 h

  In addition, work on own time:

  1. Writing report of the practical work including data analysis.
  2. Plan your own plant phenotyping trial: seminar presentation and home essay

  Planning considerations must include

  * Plant species and growth stages of interest.

  * Morphologies of interest

  * Vegetative indices of interest

  * Weather/climate, time of the day for flights  (if outside/ field experiment)

  * Light conditions

  * Backup plans

  * Any proximal imaging for quality control

  * Plan for data analysis

  * How to present data for chosen audience (peer reviewed paper; plant breeder;

     fellow students)

  Teachers: Markku Keinänen (Professor II position at AMB/UiT), Grzegorz Konert (AMB/UiT) and Sahameh Shafiee (NMBU).

  Learning outcome

  Knowledge

  After completing the course students will be able to understand the principles of the biological imaging and plant phenotyping as well as the different methods that are currently available. This includes the theory of the imaging methods and practical examples of the cases the methods can be used.

  Skills

  After the course the students will master the basic skills in setting up experiment for plant phenotyping and imaging, using the Planteye 3D scanner and hyperspectral camera, and have experience on handling the data of biological imaging.

  General competence

  Understanding the possibilities of different biological imaging methods in the research and in the practical approaches.

  The students will learn the basics of the plant phenotyping and biological imaging.

  Course dates

  November 6^th – 10^th, 2023

  Admission deadline

  May 31^st

  Admission requirements

  To apply for this course you must be a PhD candidate at one of the Norwegian institutions. If you are not a student at UiT you must apply for status as a guest student before June 1^st, 2023. Instructions can be found here

  The course will be arranged with a minimum number of students:6. Maximum participants: 20.

  If the number of applicants exceeds the number of places available, applicants will be ranked in this order: 1. Photosyntech PhD candidate members 2. UiT PhD candidates. 3. Other.

  Language

  English.

  Examination

  Deadline for the essays 15^th January 2024, evaluation by the end of January.

  Assessment: passed/not passed.

  24. October 2022

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• Photosynthesis (Structure, Function, Development)

  Running date: Nov. 13^th – 17^th, 2023

  Registration deadline: Oct. 13^th, 2023

  Location: Stavanger

  ECTS: 4

  Students should register to this course through the course responsible. Registration is open.

  Course leader

  

  Lutz Eichacker

  Professor UiS

  Practical info

  This course will be on site in Stavanger (Richard-Johnsensgate 4, 4021 Stavanger; lecture rooms and laboratories in building 8).The responsible institution is UiS.

  To apply for the course, do as follows:

  1. Please register directly per e-mail at lutz.eichacker@uis.no and include the information requested in this form.
  2. In case you lack a Norwegian ID, please indicate this in your e-mail.
  3. In case of any questions regarding Ph.D. admission at UiS please contact phdtn@uis.no.

  Important! Registration is binding! Do not register for a course unless you are sure that you can attend.

  Course content

  Wild-type plants are compared with mutants from Arabidopsis thaliana L. deficient in key photosynthetic regulatory protein subunits. Analysis of the leaf structure by microscopy is followed by phenotypic photosynthetic parameters. Characterization uses pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) and spectrometry, leaf and chloroplast gas exchange measurements using polarimetry, membrane inlet mass, and infrared spectrometry. Photosynthetic protein complexes are quantified spectroscopically, and the complexes are isolated from the chloroplast compartments by chromatography and electrophoresis. The complex size and composition are determined using dynamic light scattering, chromatography, and components are identified using mass spectrometry. Data are organized and modeled to show how mutations in the photosynthetic protein complexes may affect photosynthetic performance. 

  Photosynthesis literature, all study material, and practical information are sent out one month before the course. The study and understanding of the key concepts must be completed before arrival at the laboratory. The content is presented and discussed during the course.  

  Learning outcome

  • Know the functional components for plant photosynthesis
  • Can define and set up experiments for the determination of plant photosynthesis  record and interpret photosynthetic reactions in a plant leaf and chloroplasts 
  • Can isolate and fractionate chloroplasts into stroma and thylakoid and envelope membranes 
  • Can isolate and identify the photosynthesis-specific complexes and  apply all appropriate techniques document laboratory operations, methods, results 
  • Can report the experimental results and prepare analysis for publication 

  Course dates

  November 13th – 17th, 2023.

  Admission deadline

  TBD

  Admission requirements

  To apply for this course you must be a PhD candidate at one of the Norwegian institutions. To apply for the course send an e-mail to Lutz Eichacker.

  The course will be arranged with a maximum participants: 10.

  If the number of applicants exceeds the number of places available, applicants will be ranked in this order: 1. Photosyntech PhD candidate members 2. UiS PhD candidates. 3. Other.

  Language

  English.

  Examination

  3 laboratory work + 1 laboratory report certificate is pass/fail on laboratory documentation

  12. October 2022

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• Circular Economy Business Models 

  Starting: September 1^st, 2023

  Registration deadline: June 26^th, 2023

  Location: Steinkjer + Online

  ECTS: 5

  Registration is closed

  Students register to this course here + at Nord.

  Course leader

  

  Dolores Modic

  Associate Professor Nord

  Practical info

  This course will be on site at Steinkjer and online. The responsible institution is Nord. To be admitted to the course you must register both here and at Nord.

  Important! Registration is binding! Do not register for a course unless you are sure that you can attend.
  Course participants must register in two ways:

  1. Register to Photosyntech using the form at the top of this page
  2. Register through Nord, the host university through here.

  • Nord students must register through studentweb by June 26^th, 2023.
  • Non-Nord students must request guest status from Nord by June 26^th, 2023.

  Link to Nord university’s course page

  Course content

  This course provides an introduction to the main research topics and discussions related to sustainability and circular economy, and the related business models. The course will draw from research from a broad specter of industries but will focus specifically on the bio-based industries.

  The course will be delivered in two parts:

  The first part consists of two digital sessions and includes introductory lectures to present the major research questions, literature streams, concepts and discourses in the field of circularity and circular business models.

  The second part is a physical gathering at the InnoCamp in Steinkjer in conjunction with the AgriTech Nordic Conference. This conference gather academic and business leaders from agriculture, aquaculture and forestry from all over the Nordics. The venue-sharing with AgriTech Nordic will allow the course participants access to a practical arena with innovative projects relevant to the themes of the course. In Steinkjer, we will continue the scholarly lectures and discussion, but as many of the innovators in the Nordic bio-industries also are present we will also investigate the practical side of introducing sustainability innovations and circular business models in the food industry. We will also discuss the commercialization and circularity aspects of students’ own PhD work. 

  More details on content

  This course provides an introduction to the main research topics and discussions related to sustainability and circular economy, and the related business models. The course will draw from research from a broad specter of industries but will focus specifically on the bio-based industries.  

  The content is based on four parts:

  1. First, we will introduce the concepts of sustainability and circularity, and how an innovative bio-industry can help mitigating environmental and social issues in the society, while at the same time creating economic value and competitiveness. We will discuss the principles of circular economy and sustainable business activities with focus on circular business models.  
  2. Second, we will look at research on the business opportunities that emerge as a consequence of the sustainability shift. We will deal with challenges related to the implementation of circular economy business models. This part will also deal with challenges related to transition to circularity, such as coordinated activities across circular value chains, collaborative activities across traditional industry boundaries and with academia, and management of innovations portfolios. 
  3. Third, the course will build on both research and real examples of circular business models from a range of industries – including the bio-industries – and we will discuss boundary cases and the applicability of different models in bio-based industries.  
  4. Fourth, the course will introduce the concepts of innovation, innovation management and commercialization of science-based knowledge for circular economy. Here we will discuss the general challenges and economic discourses related to entrepreneurship, innovation and commercialization, that will be relevant for the further discussion, in relation to the PhD projects of the students and their potential. 

  Learning outcome

  The course objective is that the students should master the main contributions and scholarly discussions of the literature on sustainable and circular business models and are able to relate these literature streams to bio-economy in general and specifically to their own research. 

  Knowledge 

  • Advanced knowledge about circular economy principles and business models for circular and sustainable business; 
  • Deepened understanding of the application of circular business models and theoretical perspectives in circular businesses across different contexts, and in particular within bio-economy; 
  • Knowledge about how innovation and commercialization processes can transform businesses and industries towards a circular economy 

  Skills 

  • To analyze and critically assess the foundations of circular business models within bio-economy 
  • To analyze the complex interplay between the economic, social, and environmental issues related to circular business models. 
  • To apply knowledge to manage an independent analysis of a circular business model elements within own work and other real-life cases, and be able identify, analyze and construct solutions for a given problem. 
  • To identify and evaluate innovative opportunities for value-creation from adapting circular economy principles via understanding commercialization opportunities and potential. 

  General competence

  • Ability to critically analyze opportunities and challenges of circular business models and their significance for business in different contexts, but in particular as related to the bio-economy 
  • Ability to critically read, review, present and discuss top research papers in the area of circular economy, innovation and commercialization 
  • Ability to display creativity in designing and implementing circular economy innovation in new and established businesses and demonstrate thorough understanding of its impact across the wider ecosystem 
  • Ability to communicate research and development work and participate in a high quality academic dialogue in the area of circularity, innovation and commercialization

  Course dates

  Kick off and digital Session 1:	September 1st
  Digital Session 2:	September 8th
  Pre-physical workshop short preparatory assignment:	Due September 14th
  Physical 3-day Workshop in Steinkjer	September 20th-22nd
  Digital Wrap up and term paper presentation:	October 26th
  Delivering the term paper:	November 15th

  Admission deadline

  Registration is closed.

  Admission requirements

  To apply for this course you must be a PhD candidate at one of the Norwegian institutions.

  The course will be arranged with a minimum number of 8 students. Maximum participants: 25.

  If the number of applicants exceeds the number of places available, applicants will be ranked in this order:

  1. Photosyntech PhD candidate members
  2. Nord PhD candidates
  3. Other.

  Language

  English.

  Examination

  Assessment task (written preparatory assignment, max 900 words – pass/fail) and written home exam (Term paper, max 3000 words, A-F). 

  11. October 2022

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