Postgraduate Course: Animal Genetic Improvement (PGBI11084)
Course Outline
| School | School of Biological Sciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | Postgraduate |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This specialist course provides an understanding of the application of quantitative genetic techniques to the genetic improvement of managed animal populations through artificial selection. It examines the design of breeding programmes and looks at breeding programmes in practise. |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
| On successfully completing the course, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the strategies, up to date tools and practise of artificial selection in domesticated populations. They will be capable of designing and monitoring a selection programme whilst being aware of the risks presented to closed populations undergoing artificial selection. Additionally the application of genetic improvement programmes in commercial populations will have been explored. |
Assessment Information
| One class test (60%) and one assignment (40%). |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Session Topic
1 Introduction: Animal breeding strategies and breeding programme design.
2 Factors affecting response to selection.
3-5 The basis of selection decisions. Breeding goals, selection index methodology, developing economic weights. Utilising the methodologies explored to incorporate a new trait in a breeding goal.
5 Impacts of selection.
6 Managing Genetic Variation in breeding programmes. Loss of genetic variation, optimised contribution theory, managing conservation populations.
7 Application of molecular genetics in animal breeding. Applications of marker assisted selection and genome wide selection.
8-10 Breeding in practise. Breeding for disease resistance in managed populations. Understanding the implementation of artificial selection in livestock breeding programmes.
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| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
The course consists of 10 x 3hr sessions, comprised of lectures, discussions, and problem sessions. |
| Keywords | AGI animal breeding |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Andrew Leigh-Brown
Tel: (0131 6)50 5523
Email: |
Course secretary | Mrs Frances Stratford
Tel: (0131 6)50 5513
Email: |
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