ANIML SC 3045RW - Animal Breeding and Genetics III

Roseworthy Campus - Semester 1 - 2021

The application of scientific methods to animal breeding has led to major improvements in the output, cost and quality of meat, milk and fibre. In addition, animal breeding plans are important for continued improvement of companion animals and management of endangered species. Topics include an introduction to quantitative genetics, maximising response to selection, crossbreeding, estimation of genetic parameters and breeding values, mode of inheritance, mating systems, fitness and quality traits, animal diversity, development of breeding programs, use of biotechnology in breeding programs including gene mapping and parentage testing. Examples will be drawn from Australia's livestock industries as well as wildlife and companion animals.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ANIML SC 3045RW
    Course Animal Breeding and Genetics III
    Coordinating Unit School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s Roseworthy Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 6 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites BIOLOGY 1101 or BIOLOGY 1001 or BIOLOGY 1401, & BIOLOGY 1202
    Assumed Knowledge ANIML SC 2501RW or ANIML SC 2501WT or AGRIC 2510WT or ANIML SC 2501RW & ANIML SC 2503RW
    Course Description The application of scientific methods to animal breeding has led to major improvements in the output, cost and quality of meat, milk and fibre. In addition, animal breeding plans are important for continued improvement of companion animals and management of endangered species. Topics include an introduction to quantitative genetics, maximising response to selection, crossbreeding, estimation of genetic parameters and breeding values, mode of inheritance, mating systems, fitness and quality traits, animal diversity, development of breeding programs, use of biotechnology in breeding programs including gene mapping and parentage testing. Examples will be drawn from Australia's livestock industries as well as wildlife and companion animals.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Michelle Hebart

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Describe the tools available to maximise response to genetic selection in a variety of animal species
    2 Describe inbreeding and crossbreeding effects related to production and conservation of species
    3 Describe complex inheritance
    4 Assess animal physical structure and make selection decisions based on that structure
    5 Design a breeding program


    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1, 2, 3, 5
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    3, 5
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    4
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    4, 5
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Lecture notes will be available on MyUni at least 5 days prior to the lectures.
    Recommended Resources

    There is no required textbook for this course. A range of excellent textbooks relevant to Animal Breeding and Genetics can be found in the University Library. These include:
    Genetic improvement of sheep and cattle. G. Simm
    Introduction to Veterinary Genetics
    . F. Nicholas
    Genetics for the Animal Sciences
    . D. van Vleck
    Introduction to Quantitative Genetics. D. Falconer

    Online Learning

    MyUni: Teaching materials and course documentation will be posted on the MyUni website (http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/).

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course will be delivered by the following means:  

    • 3 x 1hr lectures
    • 1 x 3hr mixture of tutorials and practical sessions
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).

    Learning Activities Summary

    The course content will include the following:

    Lecture topics

    • Breeding programs
    • Natural selection
    • Impact of reproductive technologies
    • Parentage testing
    • Inbreeding coefficients
    • Mendelian and non-mendelian modes of inheritance
    • Gene mapping
    • Selection index
    • Calculation of economic values
    • Conservation genetics

    Practical topics:

    • Cattle physical traits
    • Sheep stud visit
    • Case Studies
    • Gene mapping

    Tutorial topics:

    • Genetic and environmental effects
    • Maximising response to selection
    • Development of relationship matrix
    • Calculation of inbreeding
    • Genome mapping
    Specific Course Requirements

    Practical classes within laboratories require a minimum of sneakers and the wearing of a laboratory gown (that will be supplied). Students must wear any required safety or protective clothing as directed. Practicals involving animal handling will require appropriate footwear and overalls.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment task Type of assessment Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes Hurdle (Yes/No) Outcomes being assessed Timing of assessment
    Quizzes Summative 10% No 1, 2, 3 Weeks 1 - 12
    Practical reports Formative/Summative 15% No 3, 4, 5 Weeks 1 - 12
    Breeding program Summative 45% No 5 Weeks 4 & 12
    Final Exam Summative 30% No 1, 2, 3 Examination period
    Assessment Related Requirements

    Attendance at practicals and tutorials is compulsory. Students are able to apply for an allowed absence from a class by submitting the application form, with appropriate supporting documentation, to the Course Coordinator. Application forms can be downloaded from https://sciences.adelaide.edu.au/study/student-support/forms-and-policies

    Assessment Detail

    Quizzes (10% of the total grade)
    Students will complete a maximum of 12 quizzes that will total 10% of the overall grade. Quizzes will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions from lecture material and a goal setting exercise.

    Practical reports (15% of the total grade)
    Students will complete a series of activities within the allotted practical periods based around setting goals against a series of overall objectives. These goals will be evaluated and reassessed during semester as students progress through particular areas. Students will also be required to submit computing practical reports/write-ups and a project based on a topic in the field of genomics.

    Breeding program (45% of the total grade)
    Students must write a breeding program for a species of their choice and traits that they wish to improve. The breeding program is presented as an essay, following a detailed list of questions/topics to be addressed. Word limit is 3000 words.

    Final Exam (30% of the total grade)
    Students will sit a 3 hr final exam that will cover all topics from the course. Questions will be a variety of short and long answer.

     

    Submission

    Submission of work for assessment
    For the written assignment and the practical reports, an electronic copy of the assignments and practical reports must be submitted via MyUni. A hard copy with a signed cover sheet attached must also be submitted into the course collection box at the Reception Desk in the Williams Building, Roseworthy Campus. All assignments must be submitted electronically by 11.59 pm on the due date and the hard copy must be submitted by 12 noon the following day. Cover sheets are available on MyUni and at the Reception desk.

    Extensions for Assessment Tasks
    Extensions of deadlines for assessment tasks may be allowed for reasonable causes. Such situations would include compassionate and medical grounds of the severity that would justify the awarding of a supplementary examination. Evidence for the grounds must be provided when an extension is requested. Students are required to apply for an extension to the Course Coordinator before the assessment task is due. Extensions will not be provided on the grounds of poor prioritising of time. The assessment extension application form can be obtained from: https://sciences.adelaide.edu.au/study/student-support/forms-and-policies 

    Penalty for Late Submission of Assessment Tasks
    Assessment tasks must be submitted by the stated deadlines. Any assessment item submitted after the published date, without prior approval of an extension on medical or compassionate grounds, will not be marked.

    Provision of Feedback to Students
    Marked reports will be returned as soon as possible after the due date. Feedback on assignments will be via annotations on reports. Should students wish to have verbal feedback on assignments an appointment should be made with the Course Coordinator. Any assessment items not collected by the end of the examination period for Semester 1 will be destroyed.

    Late submission of assessments
    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of zero will be allocated to late submitted assessment.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.