MBG*4030 - Department of Animal & Poultry Science

MBG*4030 Animal Breeding Methods Fall 2011
Instructor:
Katarzyna Stachowicz
Animal & Poultry Science (ANNU) 017
Extension: 53707
Email: kstachow@uoguelph.ca
Teaching Assistant:
Megan Kraus
Animal & Poultry Science (ANNU) 132
Extension: 56226
Email: mkraus@uoguelph.ca
Course Outline
Lectures:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:30-11:20 AM ANNU 156
Labs:
Section 0101 Wednesday 12:30-2:20 PM ANNU 102
Section 0102 Friday 11:30-1:20 PM ANNU 102
There is no lab on Friday, September 9 th .
Prerequisite:
MBG*3060 Quantitative Genetics
Course Description:
This is a fourth year undergraduate course for the study of methodology in Animal Breeding
used for genetic improvement of livestock. This course covers the practical application of
methods for genetic assessment of animals and breeding programs; the development of
appropriate linear models for analysis of data; the estimation of genetic parameters; and
the measurement of genetic change in the population. Genetic theory is reviewed as
needed. The course involves statistical methods and computing (using R) to learn data
analysis techniques in animal breeding.
Course Goals:
� To integrate quantitative genetics with statistics and biology to evaluate the breeding
merit of animals.
� To perform and understand simple data analyses for predicting breeding values of
livestock.
� To appreciate differences among livestock species and their production systems.
1

� To optimize selection and mating decisions for maximum genetic response in
practical breeding schemes.
� To assess the impact of new technologies in reproduction and molecular genetics on
livestock improvement programs.
Course Material:
Notes, assignments, data sets, R scripts, old exams, etc. will be posted on CourseLink.
Please consult the Links section for additional materials.
Students are advised to take their own notes during lectures.
Class Attendance:
I will not take attendance during both lectures and labs. However, I strongly advise you to
come to class, as taking your own notes will be a very important part of the learning
process.
Communication:
� Email:
Please include “MBG*4030” in the subject line.
Please do not email me regarding assignments/exams/bonus project problems – use office
hours or see me after class.
� CourseLink:
Please use the Discussion option on CourseLink to discuss problems with the entire class.
Important messages regarding the course will be posted under the News section on
CourseLink.
If there is a personal problem that affects your performance in the course and/or you need
to miss an exam or assignment for personal reason please contact me to make appropriate
arrangements.
Office Hours:
By appointment, arranged through email.
Important Dates:
� Add period ends: September 16 th
� Last day to drop one semester courses: November 3 rd
� First lecture: Friday, September 9 th
� Last lecture: Thursday, December 1 st (Monday schedule in effect)
� Midterm: week of October 24 th (exact day, time, and place TBA)
� Final Exam: Friday, December 16 th , 7:00-9:00 PM, room TBA
Evaluation:
Assignments 30%
Midterm 30%
Final Exam 40%
Bonus Project up to 6 bonus
2

Assignments:
� Assignments will be posted on CourseLink and discussed during labs.
� You will have one week to work on the assignments and hand them in during the
next lab (section 0101 on Wednesdays, section 0102 on Fridays).
� Marked assignments will be given back during labs the following week.
� Solutions will be posted on CourseLink.
� No late assignments will be accepted.
� There will be 9 assignments, but only your best 8 will count for evaluation. So you
may choose not to hand one of them in. However, it is in your best interest to do
them all, as they reinforce concepts introduced in class and are good practice for
exams.
� If you miss more than one assignment for a valid reason your mark will be reweighted
on the basis of those that were handed in. Otherwise, you will get mark of
0 for the missed one.
� Most of the assignments will require the use of R software (see Links at CourseLink
for download).
� While you are encouraged to discuss the assignment problems with fellow students,
each student must hand in an individual solution which is the result of his/her own
effort.
Exams:
� Exams will cover both lab and lecture material.
� You will be allowed to bring one handwritten page with formulas you might need for
the midterm and two pages for the final exam.
� Calculators will be provided, you cannot use your own.
� If you miss midterm for a valid reason then your final exam will be worth 70% of
your final grade.
� The answers to old midterms and final exams will not be posted. Questions on those
exams apply to that particular semester. These exams are meant to help you to
prepare for your exams. Make sure you understand which topics will or will not be
covered on the next exam.
Bonus Project:
You might choose to work on the bonus project to earn up to 6 bonus marks. The goals are
to use ASReml software for analysis of phenotypic records; to build the appropriate model
to analyze the data; to estimate breeding values and effects for factors specified in the
model; as well as to estimate variance components and heritability for traits of interest. The
students which will be willing to work on this project will be given temporary accounts on
the APS Linux server. Data and all other necessary materials will be provided through
CourseLink. After analyzing the data you will write a short (maximum of 3 pages) summary.
You can work on this project alone or in groups of up to 3 students. Further details will be
discussed once the necessary concepts have been introduced in class. Bonus projects will be
due on Friday, November 25 th in class.
If you have an idea for another project which you would like to do in place of the above,
then please discuss with me first.
3