Instructor(s): Ron Lewis
Number of Credit Hours: 4
Prerequisites: PLAS 215 or BIOS 206 STAT 218 or MATH 106 or equivalent.
Description: Application of genetic principles to animal breeding. Critical examination of current and potential selection programs and crossbreeding systems. Determination of performance objectives. Expected responses to selection methods and dissemination of improvement in an industry.
Learning Outcomes/Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the state-of-the-art applications of animal breeding and quantitative genetics (including their benefits and limitations) to the genetic improvement of livestock within the U.S. and elsewhere in the world.
- Demonstrate an ability to locate and interpret research results and recognize the applications of such research to livestock breeding programs.
- Demonstrate an understanding of sources of variation in performance of animals, and the methods to utilize that variation to benefit pure and crossbreeding programs.
- Predict responses to selection for a broad array of selection situations.
- Plan future breeding program strategies contingent upon the goals that are established.