HV0189, Basic Animal Breeding and Genetics, 7.5 Hp
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Syllabus

Finalized by: PN-VH, 2024-04-23
Valid from : Autumn semester 2025 (2025-09-01)

Level

First cycle (G1F)

Main field of study

Biology, Animal Science

Biology Area

Genetics

Grading Scale

5 / 4 / 3 / U

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.

Course language

English

Entry Requirements

Objectives

The aim of the course is to provide general knowledge in animal breeding And genetics.

On completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• explain the purpose of animal breedin in an easy-to-understand manner,
• give an account of basic genetics, organization of the genome as well as regulation of gene expressions,
• explain what biological variation means, what causes it and how it can be described,
• explain how genetic variation can be changed through evolutionary processes and natural selection and how genetic variation can be preserved,
• carry out simple calculations of probability of the genotype of the offspring given the genotypes of parents,allele frequencies, genetic variation, heritabilities and individual animals’ inbreeding,
• describe how genetic correlations and individual animals’ breeding values can be estimated,
• describe various types of breeding programs and assess their consequences for the animals’ welfare.

Content

The course starts with an overview of animal breeding and its purpose. The course provides knowledge of Mendelian inheritance, organization of genome, gene regulation, the function of genes, gene families as well as central genetic and molecular genetic methods. The course also contains genetic variation, population genetics, conservation biology, inbreeding, measures of genetic variation and relationships between traits as well as breeding programs. The course deals with both natural selection and strategies for sustainable genetic improvement of domestic animals. Ethical questions are discussed in the course.

The teaching is in the form of recorded lectures and demonstrations of calculations, as well as discussions and answering of questions online. The student strengthens his/her knowledge by calculation exercises and other exercises.

In the course, the following general skills are trained: problem-solving, written communication.

Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course

Passed written examination. Approved assignments and participation in discussion online can give bonus points for the exam.

•  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 assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Responsible Department/Equivalent

Department of Animal Biosciences

Supplementary information

Module set

Title	Credits	Code
Single module	7.5	0201

Other Information

All teaching within the course is given online, with no mandatory on-campus meetings. It is a necessity for the student to have access to a computer and an internet connection.

• 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.