NOVA-412 High Throughput Field Phenotyping and Vegetation Mapping

Credits (ECTS):5

Responsible faculty:Fakultet for biovitenskap

Course responsible:Sahameh Shafiee

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:English

Limits of class size:25

Course frequency:Annual. Rotating among the Nordic countries

Nominal workload:

25 hours seminars, workshops and excercises

15 hours lectures

85 hours independent work

Total: 125 hours

Teaching and exam period:The course will be run in July as a NOVA course. Next time at NMBU 2026. The course will be held from June 29th to July 3rd

About this course

The rapid advancement of sensor technologies and remote sensing methods is transforming modern plant breeding. This course introduces students to different phenotyping sensors and UAV-based data collection and processing, with an emphasis on practical applications in breeding programs. Students will gain hands-on experience with hyperspectral imaging, multispectral imaging, and thermal imaging, learning how to acquire, process, and analyze sensor data to assess plant traits. The course covers the integration of these technologies into breeding pipelines, highlighting how UAV and sensor-based phenotyping can accelerate the evaluation of genotype-to-phenotype relationships under field conditions. By the end of the course, participants will have a solid understanding of modern phenotyping tools, data processing techniques, and their applications in crop improvement.

Learning outcome

Participation in lectures and daily learning diaries (2 ECTS)

knowledge about the whole range of analysis sensors available for plant phenotyping
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 lab report (post course assignment)

Learning activities
Lectures. The following topics will be covered:
- Field phenotyping methodologies
- Data processing and analysis of UAV images from field trials
- Low-cost phenotyping methods
- Chlorophyll fluorescence technologies in plant phenotyping
Workshops with hands-on training in field phenotyping methods
Journal club: student presentations of pre-assigned literature in groups.
Teaching support
Teachers will be available during the on-site course for active guidance of learning activities.
Syllabus
Literature that will be handed out to the students before the course
Lectures and training exercises during the course
Prerequisites
MSc degree in a relevant field is required. Relevant fields: agriculture, biological and environmental sciences.
Assessment method
Pass/Fail based on active participation in assignments and workshops, presentation, submission of learning diaries and post-assignment (lab report).

Continous Exam Karakterregel: Passed / Not Passed
About use of AI
K3- Use of AI is permitted, but must be in line with the guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) at NMBU.
Descriptions of AI-category codes.
Mandatory activity
Pre-course assignment, active participatioin in journal club, lectures and training activities, writing of learning diary and lab report.
Notes
This course is a joint NOVA PhD course organised by Morten Lillemo, NMBU. Teachers and reasearchers from NMBU, University of Helsinki and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) will participate. Check NOVA's website for updated course details and information about registration:
www.slu.se/nova
Teaching hours
25 hours seminars, workshops and excercises
15 hours lectures
Preferential right
The course is intended for PhD students with basic knowledge in relevant fields of plant breeding, biology and environmental sciences. Students with plant phenotyping related research in tehir PhD project will get priority.
Students on PhD level have first priority. Master students can be admitted if space is available.
Reduction of credits
None
Admission requirements
The course is intended for PhD students with basic knowledge in relevant fields of plant breeding, biology and environmental sciences. Students with plant phenotyping related research in their PhD project will get priority.
Students on PhD level have first priority. Master students can be admitted if space is available.