Postgraduate Course: Animal Genetic Improvement (PGBI11084)

Course Outline
School	School of Biological Sciences	College	College of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)	SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)	Availability	Not available to visiting students
SCQF Credits	10	ECTS Credits	5
Summary	This specialist course provides an understanding of the synthesis of quantitative genetic and molecular genomic information into the genetic improvement of managed animal populations through artificial selection. It discusses the new developments in the design of breeding programmes, genomic evaluations, molecular genetic techniques, metagenomics and gene editing as well as explaining how these developments are implemented into breeding programmes in practice. This course is a requirement for the MSc in Animal Breeding and Genetics.
Course description	Course content will include: Introduction to breeding programmes, strategies and objectives; Managing genetic variation in breeding programmes; Application of molecular genetics in animal breeding; Genetic evaluation methodology & selection index theory; Breeding for carcass and meat quality; Poultry, Dairy, Beef, Sheep and Fish breeding; Breeding for disease resistance; Pig breeding and breeding strategies using the microbiome.

Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites		Co-requisites	Students MUST also take: Population Genetics (PGBI11124) AND Quantitative Genetics (PGBI11125) Students MUST also take: Quantitative Genetic Models (PGBI11085) AND Linkage and Association in Genome Analysis (PGBI11086)
Prohibited Combinations		Other requirements	None

Course Delivery Information

Academic year 2022/23, Not available to visiting students (SS1)		Quota: None
Course Start	Semester 2
Timetable	Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info)	Total Hours: 100 ( Lecture Hours 15, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 15, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 68 )
Assessment (Further Info)	Written Exam 60 %, Coursework 40 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment)	One centrally arranged exam (60%) and one assignment (40%).
Feedback	Not entered
Exam Information
Exam Diet	Paper Name		Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May)	Animal Genetic Improvement		1:30

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to: 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.