Animal genetics - health, behaviour and welfare
In this course you will learn about disease genetics, genetics of animal behaviour and breeding for improved animal welfare. Three parallel parts run along the whole course: lectures, case studies and own project work. Computer exercises are also included. The lectures deal with health and behaviour of agriculture-, sport- and companion animals. Scientific discussion is an important part of the course. Together with other students you work on different cases where you practice what you learn during lectures. In the individual project, where you raise a research question and plan a scientific study, you get the chance to focus on your favourite topic. This course is a good preparation for your future thesis project.
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
HV0167-40021 - Course evaluation report
Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.
Additional course evaluations for HV0167
Academic year 2024/2025
Animal genetics - health, behaviour and welfare (HV0167-40185)
2025-03-25 - 2025-06-08
Academic year 2023/2024
Animal genetics - health, behaviour and welfare (HV0167-30016)
2024-03-20 - 2024-06-02
Academic year 2022/2023
Animal genetics - health, behaviour and welfare (HV0167-40098)
2023-03-22 - 2023-06-04
Academic year 2021/2022
Animal genetics - health, behaviour and welfare (HV0167-40005)
2022-03-24 - 2022-06-05
Academic year 2019/2020
Animal genetics - health, behaviour and welfare (HV0167-40117)
2020-03-25 - 2020-06-07
Academic year 2018/2019
Animal genetics - health, behaviour and welfare (HV0167-40113)
2019-03-26 - 2019-06-09
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
HV0167 Animal genetics - health, behaviour and welfare, 15.0 Credits
Husdjursgenetik - hälsa, beteende och välfärdSubjects
Animal Science BiologyEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Genetic analyses | 3.0 | 0102 |
| Plan research project | 4.0 | 0103 |
| Breeding work | 8.0 | 0104 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1N)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
Knowledge equivalent to- 180 credits at first cycle level, of which
- 60 credits biology, animal science, equine science, veterinary nursing or veterinary medicine of which 5 credits genetics or 60 credits agricultural sciences (of which at least 30 credits animal and dairy science/zoology and 5 credits genetics)
and
- English 6
Objectives
The course intends to provide advanced knowledge in disease genetics and the genetic background of behaviours, and understanding of the consequences of current breeding for animals’ health and behaviour, so that the student can work for better animal welfare.
On completion of the course, the student should be able to:
in detail describe the genetic control of different behaviour and health traits, how these traits have been changed during domestication and how they can be changed through breeding
predict the consequences of breeding for the animals’ welfare - describe how molecular genetic methods are used to identify genes associated with disease and behavioural disorders
analyse behaviour and health traits and discuss advantages and disadvantages with different methods and models
integrate knowledge of genetics, health, behaviour and animal welfare to solve complex problems within animal husbandry
independently search, summarise, interpret and critically review scientific articles about the genetics of behaviour and health traits,
communicate and collaborate with people who have different areas of expertise
discuss ethical issues linked to genetics of behaviour and health traits and formulate a position on such issues.
Content
Three parallel parts run along the whole course: lectures, case studies and own project work.
The lectures are about health and behaviour of agriculture-, sport- and companion animals and covers epidemiological methods, data recording, parameter estimation, molecular genetic methods, selection, genetic trends and breeding programs.
Ethical issues and animal welfare questions are integrated in the whole course. The students apply knowledge from lectures and course literature in four concrete cases. The students work with these cases in groups. Different groups work with different species and traits in each case. The case is completed with joint presentations and discussions. Two larger computer exercises about parameter estimation and selection are included in the course.
In the individual project, the student plans a scientific study within the genetics of behaviour- or health traits, writes a research application, presents the plan orally and evaluates other students’ applications. In the project, the student may specialise within optional species and focus on behaviour- or health traits. An ethical assessment should be included in the application.
Compulsory components occur, such as exercises, group assignments and presentations.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
Passed written and oral examination. Passed participation in compulsory course modules.
- If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
- The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
- If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
- For the examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Additional information
The course assumes good prior knowledge within Genetics/Animal Breeding and statistics/mathematics. Costs for study visits can be added.Responsible department
Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics
Further information
Grading criteria
Grade criteria and types of examination for the learning objectives HV0167
• To receive grade 3 on the course, the student shall reach at least grade 3 on all learning objectives in all three parts.
• To receive grade 4 on the course, the student shall (in addition to the requirements for grade 3) reach at least grade 4 on the 2nd part and at least two of the learning objectives on the 1st part and at least three of the learning objectives on the 3rd part or reach at least grade 4 on all learning objectives on the 1st part and at least four of the learning objectives on the 3rd part.
• To receive grade 5 on the course, the student shall (in addition to the requirements for grade 3) reach grade 5 on at least two of the learning objectives in the 1st part and at least three of the learning objectives of the 3rd part, and grade 4 on the remaining parts.
1. Plan research project
Learning objective: Integrate knowledge of genetics, health, behaviour and animal welfare to solve complex problems within animal husbandry.
Grade 3: The student integrates knowledge in genetics and ethology or disease genetics for problem solving and for creating an outline of a genetic experiment including a behavioural or disease trait.
Grade 4: The student describes possible implementations of the results of genetic experiments.
Grade 5: The student plays an active role in discussions during project presentations.
Type of exam: Written project report (application), presentation and discussion.
Learning objective: Independently search, summarise, interpret and critically review scientific articles about the genetics of behaviour and health traits.
Grade 3:The student independently searches, summarizes, interprets and critically assesses some scientific articles and makes use of these articles to write an "application" for a scientific study in behavioural genetics.
Grade 4: The student makes use of several scientific articles to write an "application".
Grade 5: The student writes and presents an "application" which is in good accordance with given instructions. The student critically evaluates other students' applications.
Type of exam: Written project report (application), presentation and discussion.
Learning objective: Discuss ethical issues linked to genetics of behaviour and health traits and formulate a position on such issues.
Grade 3: The student describes ethical issues related to the planned study.
Grade 4: The student discusses ethical issues related to the other students' planned studies.
Type of exam: Written project report (application), presentation and discussion.
2. Genetic analyses
Learning objective: Analyse behaviour and health traits and discuss advantages and disadvantages with different methods and models.
Grade 3: The student describes the analyse of a given trait and discuss advantages and disadvantages with given methods and models.
Grade 4: The student describes data material, methods, models and results in a scientific way.
Grade 5: The student critically evaluates the performed analyses and suggests improvements.
Type of exam: Written computer exercise report.
3. Breeding work
Learning objective: In detail describe the genetic control of different behaviour and health traits, how these traits have been changed during domestication and how they can be changed through breeding.
Grade 3: The student describes the genetic control of given traits, how these traits have been changed during domestication and how they can be changed through breeding.
Grade 4: The student reviews the given literature critically (enough data, relevant methods, conclusions based on results), and makes use of the literature in case work.
Grade 5: The student compares the genetic control of different behaviour and health traits across species and how they can be changed through breeding.
Type of exam: Written case reports, oral presentations and oral discussion of the cases, especially the 1st and 3rd part.
Learning objectives: Describe how molecular genetic methods are used to identify genes associated with disease and behavioural disorders.
Grade 3: The student describes how molecular genetic methods are used to identify genes associated with disease and behavioural disorders.
Grade 4: The student reviews given literature critically (enough data, relevant methods, conclusions based on results), and makes use of the literature in case work.
Grade 5: The student compares and critically evaluates different genetic methods (molecular and quantitative) for a given trait.
Type of exam: Written case reports, oral presentations and oral discussion of the cases, especially the 2nd part.
Learning objective: Communicate and collaborate with people who have different areas of expertise.
Grade 3: The student communicate and collaborate with people who have different areas of expertise within the case group.
Grade 4: The student critically evaluates strengths and weaknesses of other students' case work and plays an active role in the discussion of all cases.
Type of exam: Written case reports and oral presentations.
Learning objective: Predict the consequences of breeding for the animals' welfare.
Grade 3: The student predicts the consequences of breeding for animals' welfare in relation to the case that he/she has been working with.
Grade 4: The student discusses animal welfare consequences of selection (or no selection) in relation to all cases.
Grade 5: The student suggests how goal conflicts between high welfare and other goals can be handled.
Type of exam: Written case reports, oral presentations and oral discussion of the cases, especially the 3rd part.
Learning objective: Discuss ethical issues linked to genetics of behaviour and health traits and formulate a position on such issues.
Grade 3: The student discusses ethical issues in relation to the own case and shows the ability to formulate a point of view on ethical issues.
Grade 4: The student discusses ethical issues related to all cases.
Type of exam: Written case reports, oral presentations and oral discussion of the cases, especially the 1st part.
Litterature list
- Literature 2021 [Literature 2021] (https://slunik.slu.se/kursfiler/HV0167/40021.2021/Literature_list_HV0167_2021_FINAL.pdf)