2020-2021 / ANIM0031-1

Advanced animal genetics, genomics and biodiversity

Duration

27h Th, 27h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in agricultural bioengineering (120 ECTS)6 crédits 

Lecturer

Nicolas Gengler

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

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, but also to describe genetic variation, 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. The use of also other sofware that was already used by students before is under consideration (especiallty R).

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, hybrid learning)

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

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Recommended or required readings

The first part of the course will follow the book "Linear models for the prediction of animal breeding values." It is accessible from inside GxABT or with the ibrary VPN under https://www.cabi.org/cabebooks/ebook/20143084331 (check if you are correctly identified, otherwise go through the library first, identification is based on IP address)  

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

1st session: Oral and written 2nd session: Written

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Potential field excursion (if possible). The used slides and all other course material from 2019-2020 are available. Updates and extensions of what will be seen in this class will be available on eCampus

Contacts

Nicolas Gengler +32/81/62 2206 nicolas.gengler@uliege.be