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.

  • Syllabus

    Lecture notes / presentations and scientific articles. Revised yearly.

  • Prerequisites

    HFA200 or the equivalent.

  • Assessment method

    Oral group exam.

    Karakterregel: Letter grades



    Hjelpemiddel: A1 No calculator, no other aids

  • About use of AI

  • Examiner scheme

    An examiner assesses the oral examination. Individual examination result.

  • Mandatory activity

    Participation in start-up lecture, multiple choice tests and participation during lecture at Hafjell.

  • Notes

    The course is given in August in 2025.

  • Preferential right

    Animal Science.

  • Reduction of credits

    -100% overlap with NOVA-302