Module Identifier |
RSM0710 |
Module Title |
EQUINE GENETICS |
Academic Year |
2003/2004 |
Co-ordinator |
Dr Basil T Wolf |
Semester |
Semester 2 |
Other staff |
Mrs Carolyn R Gittins |
Course delivery |
Lecture | 10 Hours 10 x 1 hour lectures |
|
Practical | 12 Hours 4 x 3 hour practicals |
Assessment |
Assessment Type | Assessment Length/Details | Proportion |
Semester Exam | 2 Hours | 50% |
Semester Assessment | Essay: Review essay | 50% |
|
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students will be able to:
1 describe the inheritance of Mendelian traits in the horse.
2 discuss the relative importance of genotype and environment in the inheritance of metric traits.
3 identify and discuss the biological, economic and practical constraints which influence the success of genetic improvement schemes in horse.
4 evaluate scientific, practical, and ethical issues in the application of emergent technologies in cell genetics.
Brief description
This module considers the potential for genetic improvement of the horse for leisure and sport. Starting with an overview of the principles of Mendelian inheritance applied to coat colour, disease and polymorphisms suitable for parentage testing, this course advances to a discussion of the effects inbreeding and heterosis. The principles of quantitative genetics are outlined and their application to the improvement of horses for leisure, racing, jumping and dressage are discussed. Recent advances in molecular genetics and their application to horse improvement are considered.
Aims
This module aims to provide the student with:
An understanding of the principles of Mendelian and quantitative genetics and their application to the genetic improvement of the horse.
Transferable skills
.1 Independent project work
The ability to collect and interpret information from a variety of sources and apply this knowledge to the solution of problems will be assessed via the assignment.
.2 IT and information handling
The assignment will involve the use of spreadsheets in data analysis, information gathering and interpretation.
.3 Use and analysis of numerical information
The assignment will involve the analysis and interpretation of farm animal production records to identify sub-optimal performance and to suggest suitable solutions.
Reading Lists
Books
Jones, W E and Bogart, R Genetics of the Horse
J A Allen and Company
Mather, K and Jinks, J L (1971) Biomettrical Genetics
Chapman and Hall Ltd
Old, R W and Primrose, S B Principles of Genetic Manipulation: An introduction to Genetic Engineering
Blackwell
Bowling, A T (1996) Horse Genertics
CAB International
Bowling AT and Ruvinsky A (2000) The genetics of the horse
CABI
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7