The academy contribution to society: Biotechnology Techniques on Teaching-Learning Process at Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Published in: Global Partnerships for Development and Engineering Education: Proceedings of the 15th LACCEI International Multi-Conference for Engineering, Education and Technology
Date of Conference: July 19-21, 2017
Location of Conference: Boca Raton, FL, United States
Authors: Luis Galarza, PhD. (Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral, EC)
Fernanda Calderon, PhD. (Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral, EC)
Full Paper: #442

Abstract:

In order to meet the world food demand, agricultural biotechnology techniques are oriented at the productivity of crops in an efficient and sustainable manner. By linking society's demands with academia's resources, this document aims to evaluate the skills acquired by students in the field of microbiology during the generation of basic and introductory knowledge of microorganisms. The methodology concerned: The Biotechnology techniques application and the Disciplinary Learning Outcomes evaluation. Results from the biotechnological process evidenced the characterization of the three types of funguses which are more commonly found in soils: Trichoderma spp, Aspergillus spp, Fusarium spp. The Disciplinary Learning Outcomes evaluation showed that students reached mainly the developing and developed levels and a minimal part stayed at the level of excellence, since the first phase of the process was mechanical with respect to the second phase where the students must name or distinguish the structures under a microscope by a specialized website. The biotechnological techniques acquired at the university promote among future professionals a new perspective on clean production and the Disciplinary Learning Outcomes evaluation evidenced their usefulness both in the detection of weaknesses and as an input for the curricular revision.