260003 Advanced Animal Breeding

Details
Department of Large Animal Sciences
Earliest Possible YearMSc. 1 year
DurationOne block
 
Credits7.5 (ECTS)
Course LevelMSc
 
ExaminationFinal Examination

written examination and oral examination


Some Aid allowed
Project report and 1 page with own notes


Description of Examination: An individual oral examination is held at the end of the course. 45 minutes examination with presentation of individual project report, discussion of project and general subjects (no preparation).

Weight: Oral examination (50%) and written report (50%)



7-point scale, internal examiner
 
Requirement For Attending ExamA pre-condition for attending the examination is that a mandatory report have
been handed in and approved in advance
 
Organisation of TeachingLectures, theoretical exercises, practical computer exercises, self study and report writing.
 
Block PlacementBlock 2
Week Structure: C
 
Teaching LanguageEnglish
 
Optional PrerequisitesAlmen husdyravl
 
Mandatory Prerequisites240040 Quantitative and Population Genetics
Quantitative and Population Genetics required
 
RestrictionsNone
 
Areas of Competence the Course Will Address
Competences within basic science:
Evaluation of applied animal breeding including definition of breeding goals, design of breeding schemes, genetic analysis of different traits and use of molecular information.

Competences within applied science:
Apply genetic and biometric principles to evaluate proposed and running breeding programs with respect to genetic gain, inbreeding, costs and risks. And apply the knowledge by proposing improvements of breeding programs, while taking the biological constraints into consideration.

Competences within ethics and values:
Are able to discuss the ethic and animal welfare consequences of modern animal breeding.
 
Course Objectives
After attending the course students should be able to understand the basics of genetic development of livestock species using population genetic theory, biometrical methods for genetic analysis, DNA technology and reproductive technologies.
 
Course Contents
Part 1:
The basic theory for definition of breeding goals is introduced. This includes setting up predictions for future production conditions and estimation of economic values. Furthermore, alternative methods for defining breeding goals, e.g. desired gains, are presented.

Part 2:
Afterwards, the focus will move towards designing breeding programs. This includes choice of selection and mating strategy, evaluation of breeding plans, e.g. using the gene flow method, the use of deterministic and stochastic simulation methods, crossbreeding, interactions between genetic and environmental components, and the use of reproductive technologies and their impact on possibilities for design of breeding programs.

Part 3:
Later, specific issues including marker assisted and genomic selection, crossbreeding and conservation of genetic diversity is taken up.
 
Teaching And Learning Methods
Lectures, theoretical exercises, practical computer exercises and report writing. In connection with lectures and exercises, the students are expected to participate actively in mutual discussions. Part 1 will be supported by both theoretical and computer exercises The practicals in Part 1 will be based mostly on theoretical problem solving exercises. Part 3 will be supported mainly by computer exercise utilising different simulation methods in order to illustrate the impact of different factors in a breeding program and to introduce the simulation method. An individual report should be written by each student. The topic of the report is of the students own choice, but should include simulation or discussion of an animal breeding scheme. Some supervision will be available. The structure of the report should follow that of a scientific paper, but the work load is less. The project leading to the report should not only involve a literature study but include a data analysis of some sort, either real data, simulations or analytical work.
 
Learning Outcome
Stipulated in "Areas of Competence the Course Will Address"
 
Course Litterature
Kinghorn, B., van der Verf, J. & Ryan, M. Animal Breeding - Use of New Technologies.
Handouts and scientific papers
 
Course Coordinator
Thomas Mark, thm@life.ku.dk, Department of Large Animal Sciences/Populationsbiology, Phone: 35332890
 
Study Board
Study Committee NSN
 
Course Scope
lectures30
theoretical exercises30
preparation85
examination1
project work60

206