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Teaching | Entomology

Table of Contents

Contact Us

The Department of Entomology
The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Herzl 229, Rehovot 7610001, ISRAEL

Tel: 08-9489223 
Fax: 08-9366768
Email: morze@savion.huji.ac.il

Teaching

Teaching Areas:

'Biometry and Experimental Analysis' (M.Sc. and Ph.D.):

Course aims:

Learning the principles and practice of statistics in biological research

Learning outcomes:

To define the statistical principles of basic concepts in data analysis (mainly ANOVA and regression).
To characterize statistical requirements in experimental settings.
To compare parametric and non-parametric methods.
To read and criticize published experimental designs and data analyses.
To master statistical methods for the analysis of their own research

Course content:

Some definitions; samples and populations; variables in biology; descriptive statistics; probability; Normal distribution, hypothesis testing.
Binomial and Poisson distributions; Introduction to Analysis of Variance; Model I, Model II, Comparisons among means (planned and unplanned).
Analysis of Variance: ANOVA assumptions, transformations.
Distribution free methods: Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Wilcoxon two-sample test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test.
Distribution free methods: Permutation, Bootstrap, Jack Knife.
Analysis of Variance: Two-Way Anova, Nested, Nested-Factorial Three-Way Anova.
Simple Linear Regression, Covariance, Nonparametric Regression, Correlation.
Multiple Regression.
Analysis of Frequencies: Introduction to test for goodness of fit, G test, chi square, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Logistic regression.
Principle Component Analysis (PCA).

 

'Introduction to Molecular Biology' (B.Sc.-2nd year)

Course aims:

The course goal is to provide the students with basic knowledge in molecular biology, genomics and genetic engineering. The knowledge will allow the reading of up-to-date literature and detailed understanding of topics in advanced courses in future studies.

Learning outcomes:

To define the major processes in the central dogma of molecular biology (from DNA, through RNA to protein).
To evaluate measurement and identification techniques for nucleic acids and proteins - advantages and disadvantages.
To identify and classify cell components involved in DNA and RNA synthesis.
To design simple experiments for detection of DNA modifications (mutations).
To read and interpret scientific papers that utilize molecular biology technologies.

Course content:

Introduction and history of molecular biology. DNA and RNA structure.
The central dogma in molecular biology. The genetic code. Mutations.
Protein synthesis.
DNA replication, recombination and repair.
From DNA to RNA in prokaryotes.
Classic analytic methods in molecular biology.
Isolation of nucleic acids.
Chromosome and nucleosome structure.
Transcription control in eukaryotes.
mRNA processing.
Gene silencing.
Introduction to genomics and proteomics. Biotechnological applications.

 

'Introduction to Pest Control in Agriculture' (B.Sc.-3rd year)

Course aims:

Understand pest population dynamics: migration, natural selection and adaptation. Be familiar with methods for pest population control: the integrated pest management theory.

Learning outcomes:

Describe the main processes involved in insect pest population dynamics.
Evaluate current management techniques and their integration - advantages and disadvantages.
Formulate the mathematical equations of economic threshold levels of pest control.
Detect weaknesses in current control programs that lead to pest population explosion.
Summarize and criticize recent publications discussing novel control methods.

Course content:

Introduction + pest population dynamics, natural and agricultural systems, what is a pest?
IPM principals.
Pest monitoring.
Genetic control (sterile and transgenic insects).
Biological control.
Plant's resistance to insects (natural).
Plant's resistance to insects (transgenic).
Chemical control (compounds and their mode of action).
Evolution of resistance to chemical compounds.
Cultural control.