NOVA-410 Biological Consequences of Selection

Credits (ECTS):5

Course responsible:Elise Norberg

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk

Course frequency:The course is given in August 2025 next.

Nominal workload:125 hours

Teaching and exam period:

This course starts in Autumn parallel. This course has teaching/evaluation in Autumn parallel

2025- The course is given in August.

About this course

This course deals with how breeding and selection affects the biology of animals. Traditionally animal breeding has been focusing on a limited number of traits, with a large emphasis on production and conformation. This has had a negative effect on the functional traits, such as health and fertility. Robustness, resilience, mother abilities and behavioural traits are other traits which have been affected by selection.

For more information see www.euroleague-study.org/en/r-20338-study-offers/r-20351-summer-schools/r-20946-summer-schools-2025/biological-consequences-of-selection.html

Learning outcome

  • Evaluate the ethical consequences of selection in animals
  • Understand how the process of domestication has changed animals
  • Understand how selection has had an impact on several traits, like performance, functional traits, behavior and maternal ability and how environment impacts performance
  • Understand the basic principles of animal growth, genetic scaling and development including resource allocation and feed efficiency
  • Collaborate and reflect in groups on questions related to topics related to the course
  • Reflect and discuss on how to integrate the different elements of the course
  • Analyze and present dilemmas related to animal selection
  • Learning activities
    • On-site lectures to introduce the topics of the course
    • On-line lecture to prepare for the second week addressing Biological consequences of selection
    • Lectures, group work and presentations during the on-site event at Hafjell
    • Data lab to work on data sets using R
  • Teaching support
    Teachers will provide active guidance during in-person lectures, data labs, and tutorials, with additional assistance available as needed. The course includes a mix of in-person and online lectures, discussions, presentations, individual studies, and group exercises.
  • Prerequisites
    Pre-requirements are a M.Sc. in Quantitative genetics, population genetics or a similar background.
  • Recommended prerequisites
    Pre-requirements are a M.Sc. in Quantitative genetics, population genetics or a similar background.
  • Assessment method
    Examination form will be a presentation of a key paper (provided to the student in due time before the course). Pass/fail.

    Report Karakterregel: Passed / Not Passed
  • Mandatory activity
    Participation in start-up lecture, multiple choice tests and participation during lecture at Hafjell.
  • Preferential right

    Students on PhD level have number one prioritiy.

    Master's students must apply for admission to the course that is given on master's level with the course code NOVA-302.

  • Admission requirements
    Pre-requirements are a M.Sc. in Quantitative genetics, population genetics or a similar background.