Module Details

Module Code: BIOL C2706
Module Title: Genetics and Breeding
Title: Genetics and Breeding
Module Level:: 6
Credits:: 5
Module Coordinator: Stephen Whelan
Module Author:: Stephen Whelan
Domains:  
Module Description: Learns will gain an appreciation of the role of genetic and breeding technologies in advancing the sustainability of animal and crop production systems. The importance for a holistic approach to animal and crop breeding will also be emphasised. The practical implications of breeding and genetics will be imbedded into the content of the module. There will be a strong focus on how the use of conventional and transgenic breeding programmes impact upon the sustainability of the farm system.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Explain the basic laws of genetics and their application in plant and animal breeding
LO2 Recognize and apply plant and animal breeding methods and discuss the role of sexed semen, embryo transfer, cloning and transgenic breeding technologies in sustainable farm systems, including societal acceptance.
LO3 Describe and evaluate Economic Breeding Index (EBI) and other management tools that aim to advance the productivity of animal and crop production systems.
LO4 Know how genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are produced and their use in agriculture.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
Plant breeding
• Basics of plant breeding. Variety types, seed production; Intellectual Property (IP) issues; seed quality; economics of home-saved seed.
Animal breeding
• Basics of animal breeding and the practical use of genetics in animal breeding
Novel Genetic Manipulation Techniques for Plants
• Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their use in agriculture –transformation, and hybrid sterility.
Insemination and Cloning of Animals
• Developments in Artificial Insemination and cloning of livestock
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment25.00%
Project25.00%
End of Module Formal Examination50.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Case Studies % of Total Mark 25
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Plant Breeding: Case study of varietal selection programmes for plants in Ireland
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 25
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Students will be required to submit written reports on the outcomes of specific lectures / field visits. These reports are to be written in a farmer facing style summarising the content delivered during the lecture.
No Project
No Practical
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 50
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Terminal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Exam Board
It is at the discretion of the Examination Board as to what the qualifying criteria are.
Reassessment Description
Re-assessment will be based on repeat coursework. This is at the discretion of the exam board contingent on the nature of the failed submission. The student the student may have to complete a number of components of the project or it may be requested to repeat and attend the module.

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Imparting knowledge and ideas and facilitating learners to learn independently. 12 Weeks per Stage 2.00 24
Lecturer Supervised Learning Contact Site visits to Crop Breeding Programmes 12 Weeks per Stage 0.33 4
Independent Learning Non Contact Completion of projects and written reports. Autonomous student learning and revision of concepts delivered through the lectures 12 Weeks per Stage 3.00 36
Lecturer Supervised Learning Contact Guest lectures 12 Weeks per Stage 0.67 8
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Bourdon, R.M.. (1999), Understanding Animal Breeding, 2nd. Prentice-Hall.
  • Allard, R. W.. (1999), Principles of Plant Breeding, 2nd. John Wiley and Sons.
  • Klug, W.S., Cummings, M.R. Spencer, C. A., Palladino, M.A.. (2011), Concepts of Genetics, Plus Mastering Genetics with Etext, Int. Pearson, [ISBN: 100321795776].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Niks, R.E., Parleviet, J.E., Lindhout, P., Bai, Y.. (2011), Breeding Crops With Resistance to Diseases and Pests, Wageningen Academic Publishers, [ISBN: 109086861717].
  • Marija Klopcic,Reinhard Reents,Jan Philipsson,Abele Kuipers. (2009), Breeding for robustness in cattle, Wageningen Academic Publishers, p.288, [ISBN: 9789086866571].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
Discussion Note: