Genetics and Animal Breeding

Eligibility for honours or postgraduate degree

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject covers the application of genetics to the breeding of animals. It explores the application of quantitative and molecular genetics in domestic animal improvement programs. Modern animal breeding requires an understanding of how traditional and genomic selection tools can be successfully applied in practical breeding programs. Practical topics will be explored to develop the skills to interpret genetic data and to manage breeding programs: using real data, computer simulations and modelling software. The topics to be covered include:
• definition of breeding objectives in economic terms;
• the meaning and application of genetic parameters:
• estimation and interpretation of breeding values and selection indices;
• applications of genomics tools
• applications for modern reproductive biotechnology such as cloning
• design of breeding programs.

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
• express the meaning and application of a range of genetic parameters
• estimate breeding values and use genetic tools to determine the impact of selection and crossbreeding
• identify the impact of inbreeding
• evaluate a range of genetic tools (including molecular and reproductive biotechnologies) for the design of breeding programs.

• One 3-hour written examination (50%),
• Up to three written practical reports and one assignment totaling 5000 words (35%),
• One seminar presentation equivalent to 2000 words (15%).

N/A

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, students should have developed these generic skills:
• academic excellence
• greater in-depth understanding of the scientific disciplines of applied animal genetics
• critical thinking and analysis, and problem solving
• flexibility and level of transferable skills should be enhanced through improved ability to communicate ideas effectively in both written and verbal formats.

This subject will run in 2014 subject to sufficient student enrolments.

Q Fever

Students enrolling in the Melbourne School of Land and Environment are advised that some courses of study may put them at an increased risk of contracting Q Fever. Q Fever is a relatively common preventable condition which, while rarely fatal, can cause a severe acute illness and can result in damage to heart valves and chronic fatigue. It is recommended that students consider undertaking screening and vaccination for Q Fever prior to commencement of study. Students may be required to provide proof of vaccination prior to undertaking some coursework. Your course coordinator will advise you of this requirement prior to commencement of the study semester. Vaccine costs for students are not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme, Medicare, or by the University. Some students with full private medical coverage (which has hospital and ancillary cover) may receive partial re-imbursement for vaccine costs.