Learning outcomes of the curricular unit (knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students)
On completion of the course unit, the student should have the knowledge and skills in animal genetics and improvement with application in the management of livestock populations, namely: Knowledge of the applications of genetics to animal identification and paternity control Knowledge and understanding of the variation and the genetic conditioning of economic traits Knowledge and understanding of the breeding goals in the main livestock production systems Knowledge and understanding of the methods of genetic evaluation of animals Knowledge and understanding of the components of genetic progress and their interplay The capacity to outline animal breeding programs adjusted to different livestock production systems The capacity to collect and impart useful, practical, up-to-date information on animal genetics and breeding
Syllabus
Genetic sciences: scope and placement; concepts and definitions; applications to animal production. Genetic identification and paternity testing. Animal breeding: economically relevant traits (classification, variation, genetic effects and heritability, genotype-environment interactions); genealogy, relatedness, inbreeding and mating schemes; broad sense selection; narrow sense selection (selection index; genetic progress; selection pressure, differential, intensity and accuracy; additive genetic variance; generation interval); BLUP; marker assisted selection; genomic selection and biotechnologies; animal breeding programmes (general structure and adaptations to different animal species and types).
Demonstration of the syllabus coherence with the curricular unit's learning objectives
The objective of the UC in Genetics and Animal Improvement implies the acquisition of knowledge and skills in the development of basis of selection and genetic improvement of the main livestock species with economic interest. Having regard to these objectives, the syllabus will enable students to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge about the genetics of different domestic animal populations, different selection schemes and breeding of those animals, with the aim of improving the productivity of animal systems.
Teaching methodologies (including evaluation)
Teaching-learning:
theoretical and practical classes, with lectures, case studies and
problem solving. Seminars for the presentation and discussion of group
assignments.
Evaluation:
written evidence - two (80%) and produce a group work of research
(20%). Classification formula or/and exemption from the final exam: (0,8
x mean of two written tests) + (0,2 x presentation and discussion of
written research work)> 10 values. - Exemption from final exam:
Minimum grade 8 in each written evidence
- Admission to exam: all students registered are admitted to final examination
- Final examination: written test - 1
Demonstration of the coherence between the teaching methodologies and the learning outcomes
a) Knowledge and understanding: see syllabus. b) Capacity for the professional application of knowledge and understanding: Exercises of: 1. Genetic ID and paternity test result interpretation; 2. Relatedness and inbreeding coefficients calculation; 3. Breeding animals selection and mating. Critical evaluation of real animal breeding programs. c) Problem solving capacity and argumentative power: see b); justification of the solutions proposed. d) Capacity to collect, select and interpret relevant information: assignment work. e) Communication capacity: class presentations and debates. f) Autonomous learning capacity: planning and monitoring the execution of assignment.
Bibliography (Mandatory resources)
Bowling, A. T. & Ruvinsky, A. (2000) - The Genetics of the Horse. CAB International. CABI Publishing. 517 pp.
