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ANP307Agricultural Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

Elementary Topics In Animal Breeding

This course, Elementary Topics in Animal Breeding, introduces basic principles and concepts of animal breeding for livestock improvement. It covers the history of animal breeding, fundamental principles of inheritance, variations in animal populations, repeatability and heritability estimates, gene actions, and quantitative and qualitative characters. The course aims to provide a foundation for students interested in animal breeding and genetics, enhancing their understanding of genetic improvement for sustainable food production and security.

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208h

Study Time

13

Weeks

16h

Per Week

intermediate

Math Level

Course Keywords

Animal BreedingGeneticsHeritabilityInheritanceLivestock Improvement

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level

Builds on foundational knowledge

65%

intermediate

📊

Math Level

Moderate Math

🔬

Learning Type

Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

History of Animal Breeding

2

Principles of Inheritance

3

Quantitative and Qualitative Traits

4

Gene Action

5

Heritability and Repeatability

6

Variation in Animal Populations

Total Topics6 topics

Requirements

Knowledge and skills recommended for success

Basic cell structures

Genes

Chromosome

💡 Don't have all requirements? Don't worry! Many students successfully complete this course with basic preparation and dedication.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (4 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

practical assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Animal Breeder

Apply your skills in this growing field

Livestock Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Geneticist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Agricultural Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Farm Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

AgricultureAnimal HusbandryFood ProductionGenetic ResearchPharmaceuticals

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week

1

Module 1: Objectives and History of Animal Breeding

4h

Unit 1: Definition of Terms and Objectives of Animal Breeding

2 study hours

•Define key terms in animal breeding.
•Understand the objectives of animal breeding.
•Differentiate between genetics and animal breeding.

Unit 2: History of Animal Breeding

2 study hours

•Review the historical development of animal breeding practices.
•Identify the contributions of Robert Bakewell.
•Discuss the significance of accurate breeding records.

Week

2

Module 2: Principles and Problems in Breeding Animals for Disease Resistance and Productivity

3h

Unit 1: Principles and Problems in Breeding Animals for increased Productivity

3 study hours

•Explain the principles involved in breeding for increased productivity.
•Identify factors affecting genetic change.
•Understand the importance of additive genetic variation.

Week

3

Module 2: Principles and Problems in Breeding Animals for Disease Resistance and Productivity

3h

Unit 2: Principles and Problems in Breeding Animals for Disease Resistance

3 study hours

•Discuss the principles of breeding for disease resistance.
•Compare phenotypic and genomic selection approaches.
•Understand the challenges in breeding for disease resistance.

Week

4

Module 3: Fundamental Principles of Inheritance

2h

Unit 1: Historical Perspectives of Principles of Heredity

2 study hours

•Review early theories about heredity.
•Understand Mendel's contributions to genetics.
•Discuss the implications of Mendel's work.

Week

5

Module 3: Fundamental Principles of Inheritance

3h

Unit 2: Mendel's Laws and Principles of Inheritance

3 study hours

•State and explain Mendel's laws of inheritance.
•Perform monohybrid and dihybrid crosses.
•Apply Mendelian genetics to animal improvement.

Week

6

Module 3: Fundamental Principles of Inheritance

3h

Unit 3: Types of Gene action and Exceptions to Mendelian Ratio

3 study hours

•Differentiate between complete dominance, incomplete dominance and co-dominance.
•Explain epistasis and pleiotropy.
•Understand sex-linked, sex-influenced and sex-limited genes.

Week

7

Module 3: Fundamental Principles of Inheritance

2h

Unit 4: Sex Determination Mechanism

2 study hours

•Explain sex determination mechanisms in different species.
•Understand the role of the SRY gene in mammals.
•Differentiate between homogametic and heterogametic sex.

Week

8

Module 4: Traits Characters and their Inheritance in Animals

3h

Unit 1: Qualitative and Quantitative Characters and their Inheritance

3 study hours

•Differentiate between quantitative and qualitative traits.
•Explain the inheritance patterns of quantitative and qualitative traits.
•List examples of quantitative and qualitative traits in animals.

Week

9

Module 4: Traits Characters and their Inheritance in Animals

2h

Unit 2: Gene and Gene Types

2 study hours

•Define a gene and its function.
•Explain lethal and detrimental genes.
•Understand dominant and recessive genes.
•Discuss additive and complementary genes.

Week

10

Module 5: Variation and Its Statistical Measurements

3h

Unit 1: Variations in Animal Population

3 study hours

•Define variation in animal populations.
•Differentiate between discrete and continuous variation.
•Identify genetic and environmental sources of variation.

Week

11

Module 5: Variation and Its Statistical Measurements

3h

Unit 2: Measurements of Variation

3 study hours

•Calculate mean, variance, and standard deviation.
•Understand the normal curve and its properties.
•Use the coefficient of variation to compare variability.

Week

12

Module 6: Heritability and Repeatability

3h

Unit 1: Heritability

3 study hours

•Define heritability and its properties.
•Explain methods of estimating heritability.
•Understand the importance of heritability in breeding plans.

Week

13

Module 6: Heritability and Repeatability

3h

Unit 2: Repeatability

3 study hours

•Define repeatability and its importance.
•Explain the estimation of repeatability.
•Understand the use of repeatability in predicting future performance.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review definitions of key terms in each unit to build a strong vocabulary base.

2

Practice monohybrid and dihybrid cross problems from Unit 2 to master inheritance patterns.

3

Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 genetic concepts (gene action, variation, heritability).

4

Focus on understanding the formulas for calculating variance, standard deviation, and heritability.

5

Review practical examples of applying breeding techniques to improve livestock traits.

6

Allocate study time evenly across all modules, but prioritize areas of weakness identified in TMAs.

7

Form study groups to discuss complex concepts and practice problem-solving together.

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