HFA303 Biological Consequences of Selection
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Showing course contents for the educational year 2021 - 2022 .
Course responsible: Geir Steinheim
Teachers: Odd Vangen, Peer Berg, Laila Aass
ECTS credits: 5
Faculty: Faculty of Biosciences
Teaching language: EN, NO
(NO=norsk, EN=Engelsk)
(NO=norsk, EN=Engelsk)
Limits of class size:
The course is only given if 5 or more students register.
Teaching exam periods:
This course starts in Autumn parallel. This course has teaching/evaluation in Autumn parallel
Course frequency: <p>Annually</p><p>Given autumn 2021.</p><p>Will subsequently not be given in years when the NOVA version (1 week in August) is taught, according to plan this happens next time in 2022. HFA-303 will then be given next time autumn 2023.</p><p>Number of students may be restricted for the NOVA version.</p>
First time: 2003H
Preferential right:
Animal Science.
Course contents:
Genetic coding and strategies for growth and development. Genetic size scaling. Natural and artificial selection and fitness. Resource allocation. Side effects of selection. Physiological consequences of selection. Selection and side effects on product quality. Selection for feeding efficiency. Selection and animal behaviour. Selection and fertility. Maternal effects. Epigenetics. Comparing animal races and species from different perspectives. Sustainable selection strategies and schemes.
Learning outcome:
The student will be able to evaluate and ethical consequences of selection, and to analyse ethical and animal welfare problems concerning livestock breeding. The student will learn to describe and analyse the animal as a self-regulating biological system with developmental and coping strategies developed through natural evolution and subsequent adaptation to a production environment.
Students will be familiar with examples of how domestic animal breeding have resulted in partial disruption of this biological system, and consequences of this including on animal welfare. Students will be able to analyse these examples and reflect on how different domestic animal breeds and species can be compared.
The students will understand the following concepts will be explained: fitness, resource allocation, maternal effects, epigenetics, development strategies etc. The most important traits and general trends in domestic breeding will be understood, in addition to experiments examining the consequences of selection. Students will understand how to compare breeds and species of livestock. The student must have insight in ethical and biological aspects of breeding and be able to contribute in discussions in this field.
Learning activities:
Lectures with discussions. Independent studies. Developing and holding seminar presentation.
Teaching support:
Personal teacher support will be provided if desired.
Syllabus:
Lecture notes / presentations and scientific articles. Revised yearly.
Prerequisites:
HFA200 or the equivalent.
Recommended prerequisites:
HFA200.
Mandatory activity:
Presentation of report
Assessment:
Oral examination.
Nominal workload:
125 hours.
Entrance requirements:
Special requirements in Science
Reduction of credits:
-100% overlap with NOVA-302 (given 2018, 2020, 2022...)
Type of course:
13 lectures with some exercises lasting 2 hours. Mandatory semester presentations.
Note:
-
Examiner:
An examiner assesses the oral examination. Individual examination result.
Examination details: Oral exam: A - E / F