ANIM0026-1 : Animal genetics, genomics and biodiversity

Study Programmes 2016-2017

ANIM0026-1

Animal genetics, genomics and biodiversity

Duration :

24h Th, 24h Pr

Number of credits :

Master in agricultural bioengineering (120 ECTS)		4

Lecturer :

Nicolas Gengler

Language(s) of instruction :

French language

Organisation and examination :

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents :

Throughout their courses future Bio-Engineers will acquire knowledge and know-how associating livescience and engineering. The objective of this cours "Animal Genetics, Genomics and Biodiversity" is to significantly strengthen this aspect of training in the context of genetics, genomics, animal improvement and evolution of domestic animal population under selection.
During this course the students will learn what are zootechnical databases, how they are assembled and what is there purpose. Classical, identification and phenotypic databases will be considered, but also those containing genomic data. The need to do extensive statistical analysis of these databases will be highlighted and the linear model will be described as one of the main tools. The use for management and selection purposes of these models will be established. The extension to mixed linear models will allow students to put the course in the context of genetic evaluations. The latest developments in genomics linking phenotype and genotype and predicting genetic values will be presented. The course will give an active vision of the evolution of populations under selection.

Students willalso apprehend the coures material through small illustrative exercises done on computer and in particuler using MATLAB / Octave.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit :

Students will gain advanced knowledge useful on the job market as people directing, organizing and running the performance recording of livestock, the processing and analysis of data obtained from it, and the advisory to producers and breeders. At the end of the course the student will also be able to integrate concepts of biodiversity into breeding programs and management of domestic animal populations.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills :

Planned learning activities and teaching methods :

Theory classes Illustrative exercices

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :

Face-to-face Exercices in class supported by assitants Home-exercices