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ANP507Agricultural Sciences Unitsintermediate

Animal Breeding and Livestock Improvement

This course on Animal Breeding and Livestock Improvement is designed to equip students with a strong foundation in the genetic principles underlying livestock production. It covers production traits, their measurement, and evaluation, as well as selection methods for breeding. Students will learn about performance and progeny testing, genetic markers, major genes, DNA tests, and quantitative trait loci (QTL), providing them with the knowledge to improve livestock in the Nigerian environment.

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156h
Study Time
13
Weeks
12h
Per Week
intermediate
Math Level
Course Keywords
Animal BreedingLivestock ImprovementGenetic MarkersProgeny TestingProduction Traits

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
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Production Traits

2

Selection Methods

3

Breeding Systems

4

Performance Testing

5

Progeny Testing

6

Genetic Markers

7

Major Genes

8

DNA Tests

9

Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL)

Total Topics9 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

Livestock Geneticist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Agricultural Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Research Scientist

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 HusbandryBiotechnologyResearch InstitutionsGovernment Agencies

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Production Traits, Their Measurements and Evaluation

6h

Unit 1: Production Traits in Cattle

3 study hours
  • •Define production traits in cattle, horses, swine, sheep, and poultry.
  • •Explain the importance of measuring and evaluating these traits.
  • •Discuss the impact of these traits on livestock production.

Unit 2: Production Traits in Beef/Milk Production

3 study hours
  • •Describe pregnancy traits and their measurement in cattle.
  • •Explain calving ease and its impact on production.
  • •Discuss the importance of birth weight, weaning weight, and yearling weight.
Week
2

Module 2: Selection for Breeding for Improvement

6h

Unit 1: Measuring Performance

3 study hours
  • •Understand the importance of measuring performance in animal selection.
  • •Explain the concept of performance testing and its variations among species.
  • •Discuss the role of seed stock and commercial producers in performance testing programs.

Unit 2: Selection Using Information on Relatives

3 study hours
  • •Explain the use of pedigree data in selection decisions.
  • •Understand the use of progeny data in selection decisions.
  • •Differentiate between subjective and objective information in selection.
Week
3

Module 3: Breeding Systems and Selection Methods

6h

Unit 1: Introduction to Selection

3 study hours
  • •Define natural selection and its impact on wild and domestic species.
  • •Explain artificial selection, including replacement selection and culling.
  • •Understand the differences between natural and artificial selection.

Unit 2: Selection Methods

3 study hours
  • •Describe tandem selection and its efficiency.
  • •Explain independent culling and its application.
  • •Understand selection index and its advantages.
Week
4

Module 3: Breeding Systems and Selection Methods

6h

Unit 3: Family Selection

3 study hours
  • •Explain family selection and its use.
  • •Understand within-family selection and its application.
  • •Discuss combined selection and sib selection.

Unit 4: Progeny and Pedigree Selection

3 study hours
  • •Describe progeny averages and their use in selection.
  • •Explain pedigree selection and its limitations.
  • •Understand recurrent selection and reciprocal recurrent selection.
Week
5

Module 4: Performance Testing and Progeny Testing

6h

Unit 1: Performance Testing

3 study hours
  • •Understand the importance of performance testing in breed improvement.
  • •Explain the role of performance testing in formulating breeding objectives.
  • •Discuss the impact of performance testing on commercial producers.

Unit 2: Performance Testing Procedure

3 study hours
  • •Describe the performance testing procedure in Irish Cattle Breeding Federation.
  • •Explain the advantages of performance testing.
  • •Discuss the disadvantages of performance testing.
Week
6

Module 4: Performance Testing and Progeny Testing

6h

Unit 3: Progeny Testing

3 study hours
  • •Define progeny testing and its importance.
  • •Explain the use of progeny testing in identifying superior individuals.
  • •Understand the application of progeny testing for sex-limited traits.

Unit 4: Progeny Testing Procedure

3 study hours
  • •Describe a typical breeding design for a Progeny Testing Programme.
  • •Explain the factors that affect the usefulness of Progeny Testing.
  • •Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Progeny Testing.
Week
7

Module 5: Identifying And Incorporating Genetic Markers and Major Genes in Animal Breeding Programmes

6h

Unit 1: Molecular Markers

3 study hours
  • •Define molecular markers and major genes.
  • •Explain the role of molecular markers in animal genetics studies.
  • •Understand the different types of molecular markers.

Unit 2: Types of Molecular Markers

3 study hours
  • •Describe VNTRs, RFLPs, RAPDs, AFLPs, and SNPs.
  • •Explain how to identify molecular markers.
  • •Understand gel electrophoresis and Southern blot techniques.
Week
8

Module 5: Identifying And Incorporating Genetic Markers and Major Genes in Animal Breeding Programmes

6h

Unit 3: Major Genes

3 study hours
  • •Define major genes and their characteristics.
  • •Explain the detection and use of major genes.
  • •Understand how to incorporate genetic markers and major genes in animal breeding programmes.

Unit 4: Marker Assisted Selection

3 study hours
  • •Describe marker-assisted selection (MAS).
  • •Explain marker-assisted introgression.
  • •Understand the benefits of MAS in animal breeding.
Week
9

Module 6: Dna Tests

6h

Unit 1: DNA Tests

3 study hours
  • •Define DNA tests and their purpose.
  • •Explain prenatal testing and newborn screening.
  • •Understand carrier screening and diagnostic testing.

Unit 2: Types of DNA Tests

3 study hours
  • •Describe preimplantation testing and predictive testing.
  • •Explain forensic testing.
  • •Understand the methods and techniques used in genetic testing.
Week
10

Module 6: Dna Tests

6h

Unit 3: Genetic Testing Techniques

3 study hours
  • •Explain polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing.
  • •Understand indirect gene tracking (linkage analysis).
  • •Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of genetic screening.

Unit 4: Segregation Analysis

3 study hours
  • •Define segregation analysis and its purpose.
  • •Explain complex segregation analysis.
  • •Understand the ethical issues associated with genetic testing.
Week
11

Module 7: Determining Associations Between Genetic Markers And Quantitative Trait Locus (Qtl)

6h

Unit 1: Quantitative Traits

3 study hours
  • •Define quantitative traits and quantitative trait locus (QTL).
  • •Explain the principles of genetic mapping population.
  • •Understand the methods of determining associations between genetic markers and QTL.

Unit 2: QTL Mapping

3 study hours
  • •Describe quantitative trait locus mapping.
  • •Explain the factors affecting the probability of success in QTL mapping.
  • •Understand the goals of QTL mapping projects.
Week
12

Module 7: Determining Associations Between Genetic Markers And Quantitative Trait Locus (Qtl)

6h

Unit 3: Genetic Mapping

3 study hours
  • •Explain linkage mapping and association mapping.
  • •Understand the principles of genetic mapping population.
  • •Discuss the use of molecular markers in genetic maps.

Unit 4: Association Studies

3 study hours
  • •Describe positional cloning and association mapping.
  • •Explain the steps involved in association studies.
  • •Understand the factors that affect linkage disequilibrium (LD).
Week
13

Final Revision

6h

Final Revision

6 study hours
  • •Review all modules and units.
  • •Complete assignments and prepare for final examination.

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.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review all tutor-marked assignments and their solutions to reinforce key concepts.

2

Create detailed summaries of each module, focusing on the main principles and methods.

3

Practice applying selection methods to different livestock scenarios.

4

Study the procedures for performance and progeny testing, understanding their advantages and disadvantages.

5

Focus on understanding the different types of genetic markers and their applications in breeding programmes.

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