Evaluating Animal Breeding Programmes from edX

Animal breeding, and especially breeding of farm animals and aquaculture species, has developed into a professional industry with modern technologies, large-scale data collection, and analyses. This has resulted in very efficient and effective breeding programs. However, in many developing countries, and for many lesser known livestock and fish species there is a need for tailor-made breeding programs. In this MOOC, you will learn about the implementation and evaluation of both large industrial scale and the tailor-made breeding programs, in terms of genetic progress and genetic diversity.

Together with other learners, you will dive into the reasons behind crossbreeding in relation to dissemination of genetic improvement. It is essential to know how key biological factors affect the structure of a breeding program and to understand the different structures a breeding program can have.

Join this course and learn everything about how to properly evaluate breeding programs. In several knowledge clips and assignments, you will learn how to assess the effects of legislation, competition, GxE, new technology on breeding programs.

Eliminating diseasesTwo special sections are devoted to genetic diversity and, more specifically, to (i) monogenic recessive disorders, and (ii) genetic diversity at the population level. Monogenic recessive disorders play an important role in breeding programs for companion animals such as dogs and horses. Modern DNA sequencing technology now makes it possible not only to detect these mutations but also to design breeding strategies aimed at eliminating these diseases. Genetic diversity at population level is important to maintain flexibility in populations and to keep animal populations healthy. In this course, you will learn more about how to monitor and conserve genetic diversity in breeding programmes.

After finishing this course you can make informed decisions when setting up a breeding program for a specific animal in a specific production system and recognize and identify key elements of the course in real-life examples of breeding programs.

PrerequisitesPlease know that knowledge of statistics at a 2nd or 3rd year university level is needed to follow this course successfully. This course partially builds on knowledge gained in the MOOC Genetic Models for Animal Breeding.

For WhomAlthough this course is open to everyone, it is particular useful for breeders of:

Cows
Poultry/Chicken
Horses
Pigs/Swine
Dogs
Sheep
Goat
Fish
Shrimp

Professional Certificate Program

This course is part of the Professional Certificate Programme "Animal Breeding and Genetics". Join the other course in the programme, Genetic Models for Animal Breeding, and advance your career as a breeder.

The course is developed with financial support and input from the Koepon Foundation.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Introduction to evaluating breeding programmes
Crossbreeding and dissemination of genetic improvement
Evaluation of breeding programmes

Genetic diversity in monogenic recessive diseases
Genetic diversity at a population level
Breeding programmes in practice

Introduction to evaluating breeding programmes
Crossbreeding and dissemination of genetic improvement
Evaluation of breeding programmes
Genetic diversity in monogenic recessive diseases
Genetic diversity at a population level
Breeding programmes in practice

Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction

Introduction to evaluating animal breeding programmes, along the seven steps that are needed to set up a breeding programme.

Module 2: Crossbreeding and Dissemination

Learning about heterosis and crossbreeding, including crossbreeding schemes in practice. Learning about the most important breeding programme structures and schemes, and about which key factors influence this structure.

Module 3: Evaluation of Breeding Programmes

How do we assess genetic improvement in breeding programmes? Let’s investigate limits to selection, genotype by environment interaction and its consequences for breeding programmes. Learn how multi-trait selection can reduce unwanted correlated responses.

Module 4: Genetic Diversity I - Monogenic Recessive Disorders

This module is all about the nature of monogenic recessive disorders, their mode of inheritance and about strategies to eliminate these defects. Learn about the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and about genetic drift in relation to genetic diversity.

Module 5: Genetic Diversity II - Population Level

Let’s study the forces that affect genetic diversity on a population level, and factors that influence the rate of inbreeding. We will predict the rate of inbreeding in simple situations, and learn how to monitor genetic diversity. Finally, we will discuss in vivo and in vitro strategies to conserve genetic diversity.

Module 6: Breeding Programmes in Practice

Introduction to evaluating animal breeding programmes in practice, through a number of real life situations. How do the different topics covered in the course affect choices made when designing and evaluating a breeding programme?

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Designed for individuals involved in breeding farm animals and aquaculture species

Provides a solid foundation for evaluating breeding programs, which is essential for genetic progress

Covers genetic diversity, a critical aspect of maintaining healthy animal populations

Involves real-life examples of breeding programs, enhancing practical understanding

Requires a strong foundation in statistics and prior knowledge of genetic models for animal breeding

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Evaluating Animal Breeding Programmes with these activities:

Concepts in genetics

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Reacquaint yourself with the core concepts of genetics to strengthen your foundation for this course.

Browse courses on Genetics

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Review notes from previous genetics courses (if any) or textbooks.
Go through online resources and videos to brush up on basic concepts.
Solve practice problems on Punnett squares, inheritance patterns, and genetic disorders.

Discuss course topics with classmates

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Engaging in discussions with classmates will provide you with different perspectives and insights on the course material.

Browse courses on Genetic Diversity

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Find a study group or connect with classmates online.
Schedule regular discussion sessions.
Prepare for the discussions by reviewing the course material and identifying questions.
Participate actively in the discussions and share your thoughts and understanding.

Solve genetics practice problems

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Solving practice problems on animal breeding programs and genetic diversity will improve your understanding of the concepts and techniques discussed in the course.

Browse courses on Genetic Diversity

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Identify the key concepts and techniques related to animal breeding programs and genetic diversity.
Find practice problems that cover these concepts and techniques.
Solve the practice problems using the knowledge gained from the course.
Review your solutions and identify areas for improvement.

Six other activities

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Show all nine activities

DNA sequencing techniques

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Explore different DNA sequencing techniques to gain a deeper understanding of how genetic information is analyzed.

Browse courses on DNA Sequencing

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Find online tutorials or courses on DNA sequencing.
Follow the tutorials to learn about the principles and applications of different techniques.
Practice analyzing DNA sequences using online tools or software.

Explore online tutorials on animal breeding

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Exploring online tutorials on animal breeding will provide you with additional resources and perspectives on the topics covered in the course.

Browse courses on Genetic Diversity

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Search for online tutorials on animal breeding and genetic diversity.
Review the tutorials and select the ones that are relevant to the course material.
Complete the tutorials and take notes on the key concepts and techniques.

Crossbreeding and heterosis

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Engage in practice exercises to reinforce your understanding of crossbreeding and its impact on genetic improvement.

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Solve problems on calculating heterosis and predicting the performance of crossbred offspring.
Analyze case studies on successful crossbreeding programs in different livestock species.
Participate in online forums or discussions to exchange ideas and learn from others.

Write a summary of a research paper on animal breeding

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Writing a summary of a research paper on animal breeding will help you develop a deeper understanding of the current research and advancements in the field.

Browse courses on Genetic Diversity

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Find a research paper on a topic related to animal breeding programs or genetic diversity.
Read the paper and identify the key findings and conclusions.
Summarize the paper in your own words, highlighting the most important points.

Animal Breeding Plans

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Review a comprehensive book on animal breeding plans to gain insights into the principles and strategies used in real-world breeding programs.

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Read selected chapters that cover topics relevant to the course.
Summarize the key concepts and methodologies presented in the book.
Apply the knowledge gained to evaluate and design breeding plans for different scenarios.

Contribute to animal breeding software

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Actively participate in open-source projects related to animal breeding to enhance your technical skills and contribute to the community.

Browse courses on Open-Source Software

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Identify open-source software projects related to animal breeding, such as genetic data analysis tools or breeding simulation software.
Contribute to the project by reporting bugs, suggesting improvements, or developing new features.
Engage with the project community through online forums or conferences.

Career center

Learners who complete Evaluating Animal Breeding Programmes will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Geneticist

A Geneticist requires the vast and interdisciplinary knowledge that this course offers. As a Geneticist, you will be tasked with a role in areas such as manipulating genes to produce better food and studying genetic inheritance. This course will provide you with a foundation in evaluating breeding programmes, understanding crossbreeding, and learning about genetic diversity. These knowledge bases are essential to the career of a Geneticist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geneticist

Animal Breeder

One who is determined to enter the occupation of Animal Breeder needs to progress through a curriculum of genetics and biology. Beyond these, the course, Evaluating Animal Breeding Programmes, is an excellent choice to build a foundation. Its topics include the reduction of unwanted correlated responses and the prediction of inbreeding rates, all of which are knowledge bases that are directly applicable to the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animal Breeder

Dog Breeder

One who seeks to breed dogs should have a grasp of animal breeding programme evaluation. In this position, you will be tasked with creating breeding programmes of your own, so you must know how to plan for the dissemination of genetic improvement. As someone interested in this course, you are headed on the right track.

See salaries and explore the career path for Dog Breeder

Fish Breeder

One who wishes to enter the occupation of Fish Breeder can benefit from taking this course. It will introduce you to the evaluation of breeding programmes. You will also learn about crossbreeding and the dissemination of genetic improvement, which are essential to the success of large breeding programmes that are used in this industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fish Breeder

Farm Manager

Farm Managers will find that their work is enhanced with a deep knowledge of breeding programme evaluation. After all, your main responsibility is to oversee the running of a farm. A key component of this role is the breeding of farm animals. Study this course to learn about crossbreeding, and how to make use of genetic diversity in monogenic recessive diseases, all of which will help you succeed as a Farm Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Farm Manager

Ecological Geneticist

This course will be an excellent fit for you if you want to become an Ecological Geneticist. Genetic diversity is a major focus of this role, and much of this course is dedicated to this topic. You will learn about the forces that affect genetic diversity on a population level, and factors that influence the rate of inbreeding.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ecological Geneticist

Genetics Counselor

Genetics Counselors who wish to advance their careers will find this course to be of benefit. It will teach you about genetic diversity in monogenic recessive diseases. As a Genetics Counselor, you routinely work with individuals to help them understand the risk of developing a genetic disease, so it is important to have expertise in this area.

See salaries and explore the career path for Genetics Counselor

Horse Breeder

As a Horse Breeder, you will be in charge of overseeing the breeding of horses. This comes with responsibilities such as selecting breeding stock, and managing the breeding process. To do this job well, you must learn how to evaluate breeding programmes to ensure that you are making the best decisions for your horses. This course is a good choice because it offers just that.

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Animal Scientist

Animal Scientists rely on their interdisciplinary knowledge of animal care and biology to improve the lives of animals and humans alike. If you seek to advance in the field and shape the future of animal-related studies, you should consider this course. It can teach you the principles of crossbreeding and the dissemination of genetic improvement, which are foundational aspects of being a successful Animal Scientist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animal Scientist

Livestock Specialist

If you wish to become a Livestock Specialist, you should take this course. Your role is to improve the quality of livestock by advising farmers on breeding and feeding practices. Much of this course is dedicated to the evaluation of breeding programmes, which will help you perform the essential functions of the role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Livestock Specialist

Poultry Breeder

Poultry Breeders will find that this course aligns with their career aspirations. You will benefit greatly from learning about breeding programme evaluation as a Poultry Breeder as you are responsible for the development of new poultry varieties. This course can teach you about crossbreeding and the dissemination of genetic improvement, which are essential in the role of a Poultry Breeder.

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Shrimp Breeder

Shrimp Breeders can benefit from lessons in crossbreeding and the dissemination of genetic improvement. These are essential topics that will help you succeed in your career. This course may also be useful for learning more about genetic diversity in monogenic recessive diseases.

See salaries and explore the career path for Shrimp Breeder

Conservation Biologist

Conservation Biology is a field where one cannot succeed without a background in conservation genetics. If that is the area you wish to enter, taking this course will prove useful. It will teach you about genetic diversity at the population level and in monogenic recessive diseases, as well as show you how to monitor and conserve genetic diversity in the real world.

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Research Scientist

Research Scientists who want to advance in their field may want to consider taking advantage of this course. Your primary responsibility as a Research Scientist is to create and complete scientific research projects, one of the main goals of which is to disseminate genetic improvement. This course will be helpful to you because it covers topics such as evaluating breeding programmes and crossbreeding.

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Veterinarian

Although this course is not explicitly relevant to the career of a Veterinarian, it does cover a number of topics that are essential in the field. For example, it teaches about genetic diversity in monogenic recessive diseases, and in vivo and in vitro strategies for conserving genetic diversity. This course may be useful for you if you seek to specialize in animal breeding.

See salaries and explore the career path for Veterinarian