Skip to main content
NounStudy
Back to Course Catalog
ANP312 Agricultural Sciences 2 Units intermediate

Introduction to Genetics and Breeding

This course introduces the fundamental principles of animal genetics and breeding. It covers basic biology, including cell structure and function, with a focus on the nucleus and genetic materials. Students will learn about inheritance patterns, Mendelian genetics, breeding value, and genetic parameters such as heritability and repeatability. The course also explores selection principles, breeding methods, and biotechnological applications for livestock genetic improvement, preparing students for advanced studies in genetics and animal breeding.

Take a Practice Test Generate AI Study Notes

Take a practice test or generate AI study notes to help you excel in this course.

208h
Study Time
13
Weeks
16h
Per Week
basic
Math Level
Course Keywords
GeneticsBreedingInheritanceHeritabilitySelection

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
➕
Math Level
Basic Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Cell Structure and Function

2

Chromosomes and DNA

3

Mendelian Genetics

4

Non-Mendelian Inheritance

5

Quantitative and Qualitative Traits

6

Animal Selection and Breeding

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

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

Geneticist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Livestock Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Agricultural Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

AgricultureAnimal HusbandryBiotechnologyResearch

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: The Molecular Basis of Heredity – The Animal Cell, Its Components and the Genetic Code

7h

Unit 1: Structure of an animal cell and functions of the major components

4 study hours
  • • Study the structure of animal cells and their major components.
  • • Understand the functions of the nucleus, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, peroxisomes, and mitochondria.
  • • Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 1.

Unit 2: Chromosomes

3 study hours
  • • Identify the structure of a chromosome.
  • • Explain the essential parts of a chromosome, including the centromere and telomere.
  • • Understand the role of each segment in cell division.
  • • Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 2.
Week
2

Module 1: The Molecular Basis of Heredity – The Animal Cell, Its Components and the Genetic Code

7h

Unit 3: DNA and RNA

4 study hours
  • • Explain the meaning of DNA and RNA and state their roles.
  • • List the four different types of bases contained by each of DNA and RNA.
  • • Understand the structural components of DNA and RNA.
  • • Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 3.

Unit 4: The Genetic code

3 study hours
  • • Understand the concept of genetic code.
  • • Name the scientists that were among the first to crack the code.
  • • Understand the components of amino acids.
  • • Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 4.
Week
3

Module 2: Mendelism: The Fundamental Principles of Inheritance

5h

Unit 1: Definitions of Some Genetic Terms

5 study hours
  • • Define genetics and animal breeding.
  • • Distinguish between animal genetics and animal breeding.
  • • Define other genetic terminologies: gene, allele, dominant, recessive, homozygous, heterozygous, genotype, phenotype, heredity, and variation.
  • • Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 5.
Week
4

Module 2: Mendelism: The Fundamental Principles of Inheritance

4h

Unit 2: History of Genetics I (Darwin, Mendel and others)

4 study hours
  • • Mention some important dates in the historical lives of Charles Darwin, Gregor Mendel, and others.
  • • Highlight major contributions made by Gregor Mendel regarding principles of genetics.
  • • Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 6.
Week
5

Module 2: Mendelism: The Fundamental Principles of Inheritance

5h

Unit 3: History of Genetics II (Watson and Crick and others)

5 study hours
  • • Highlight the major contributions made by Morgan Thomas, Watson and Crick, as well as Ian Wilmut.
  • • Briefly explain the Human Genome Project.
  • • Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 7.
Week
6

Module 3: Mendelian Genetics and Non Mendelian Inheritance

5h

Unit 1: Mendelian genetics I (Mendel's first law and the law of dominance)

5 study hours
  • • Explain how Mendel conducted his experiment.
  • • State Mendel's first law and show how to calculate the monohybrid ratio of 1:2:1.
  • • Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 8.
Week
7

Module 3: Mendelian Genetics and Non Mendelian Inheritance

5h

Unit 2: Mendelian genetics II (Mendel's second law and the Punnet Square)

5 study hours
  • • State Mendel's second law, also known as the law of independent assortment.
  • • Use the Punnet square in solving dihybrid crossing and calculations leading to the dihybrid ratio of 9:3:3:1.
  • • Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 9.
Week
8

Module 3: Mendelian Genetics and Non Mendelian Inheritance

5h

Unit 3: Non Mendelian inheritance I (Types of gene action)

5 study hours
  • • Explain the various inheritance patterns that disobey Mendel laws, including incomplete dominance, multiple alleles, incomplete penetrance, and variable expressivity.
  • • Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 10.
Week
9

Module 3: Mendelian Genetics and Non Mendelian Inheritance

5h

Unit 4: Non Mendelian inheritance II (Types of gene action)

5 study hours
  • • Explain the various inheritance patterns that disobey Mendel laws, including sex-limited traits, sex-influenced traits, sex-linked traits, and lethal genes.
  • • Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 11.
Week
10

Module 4: Quantitative and Qualitative Characters and their Mode of Inheritance

5h

Unit 1: Quantitative and qualitative inheritance

5 study hours
  • • Define quantitative trait as well as qualitative trait.
  • • Give some examples of traits that are quantitative and those that are qualitative.
  • • Understand the concept of heritability of a trait.
  • • Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 12.
Week
11

Module 4: Quantitative and Qualitative Characters and their Mode of Inheritance

5h

Unit 2: Heritability and repeatability

5 study hours
  • • Define heritability and repeatability of a trait.
  • • Categorize heritability into its two components and explain each.
  • • Mention the importance of both heritability and repeatability.
  • • Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 13.
Week
12

Module 4: Quantitative and Qualitative Characters and their Mode of Inheritance

5h

Unit 3: Animal variation and selection principles

5 study hours
  • • Define natural and artificial selection.
  • • List and describe the methods of selection for a single trait: mass selection, pedigree selection, family selection, and progeny selection.
  • • Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 14.
Week
13

Module 4: Quantitative and Qualitative Characters and their Mode of Inheritance

5h

Unit 4: Breeding methods

5 study hours
  • • Define breeding method or mating system.
  • • Explain the various breeding methods available, including random mating, inbreeding, outbreeding, and crossbreeding systems.
  • • Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 15.

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

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

Access PDF Material

Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create flashcards for key genetic terms from Units 1-3.

2

Practice Punnett Square problems from Units 5-6 weekly.

3

Review the differences between Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance.

4

Focus on heritability and repeatability concepts from Unit 11.

5

Summarize the different animal breeding methods and their applications from Unit 13.