Duration
27h Th, 27h Pr
Number of credits
| Master in agricultural bioengineering (120 ECTS) | 6 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Throughout their courses future Bio-Engineers will acquire knowledge and know-how associating livescience and engineering. The objective of this cours "Animal Genetics, Genomics and Biodiversity" is to significantly strengthen this aspect of training in the context of genetics, genomics, animal improvement and evolution of domestic animal population under selection. The association between biology and computer science is a field in extreme shortage, so this training allows a strategic advantage on the job market.
During this course the students will learn what are zootechnical databases, how they are assembled and what is there purpose. Classical, identification and phenotypic databases will be considered, but also those containing genomic data. The need to do extensive statistical analysis of these databases will be highlighted and the linear model will be described as one of the main tools. The use for management and selection purposes of these models will be established. The extension to mixed linear models will allow students to put the course in the context of genetic evaluations. The latest developments in genomics linking phenotype and genotype and predicting genetic values, but also to describe genetic variation, will be presented. The course will give an active vision of the evolution of populations under selection.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Students will gain advanced knowledge useful on the job market as people directing, organizing and running the performance recording of livestock, the processing and analysis of data obtained from it, and the advisory to producers and breeders. At the end of the course the student will also be able to integrate concepts of biodiversity into breeding programs and management of domestic animal populations. From a know-how perspective this course will give a strong exposure to strategically important digital tools for a future bio-engineer.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Basic knowledge of statistics and computing sciences.
Class ANIM0030 is recommended.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
- Theory classes
- Exercices and case studies (graded)
Inverted class will be used when possible
Students will also apprehend the coures material through small illustrative exercises done on computer and in particuler using MATLAB / Octave and the BLUPF90 collection of programs.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face Exercices in class supported by assistants Home-exercices
Recommended or required readings
The first part of the course will follow the book "Linear models for the prediction of animal breeding values." It is accessible from inside GxABT or with the ibrary VPN under https://www.cabi.org/cabebooks/ebook/20143084331
(check if you are correctly identified, otherwise go through the library first, identification is based on IP address)
- Manual for GNU OCTAVE: https://docs.octave.org/octave.pdf
- Manual for BLUPF90 family of programs: http://nce.ads.uga.edu/wiki/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=blupf90_all2.pdf
Written work / report
Continuous assessment
Other : Continuous assessment based on reports of work on exercises.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Potential field excursion (if possible).
If compatible with the pedagogical concept, used slides and all other course material from 2022-2023 are available. Updates and extensions of what will be seen in this class will be available on eCampus.
Contacts
Nicolas Gengler +32/81/62 2206 nicolas.gengler@uliege.be