ANSC30020
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Academic Year 2025/2026
Animal Breeding I (ANSC30020)
Subject: : Animal Science
College: : Health & Agricultural Sciences
School: : Agriculture & Food Science
Level: : 3 (Degree)
Credits: : 5
Module Coordinator: : Assoc Professor Alan Fahey
Trimester: : Autumn
Mode of Delivery: : Blended
Internship Module: : No
How will I be graded? : Letter grades
Curricular information is subject to change.
This module consists of two sections. The first section deals with the main concepts and principles of Animal Breeding including:- domestication; qualitative and quantitative traits; types of gene action; variation and its measurement; selection between and within breeds; factors affecting rates of genetic gain and the response to selection. The second section deals with the applications of the basic principles to dairy, beef, sheep and pig breeding. The national breed improvement strategies for the various species are outlined and include the breeding goals, traits recorded, and selection of breeds and breed crosses used.
About this Module
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What will I learn?
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module students should be able to: Explain the underlying concepts and principles involved in selection for breed improvement. Outline factors controlling the rate of genetic gain and the response to selection in breeding programmes. Demonstrate how the basic principles are applied in breed improvement strategies.
How will I learn?
Student Effort Hours:
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Autonomous Student Learning | 64 |
| Lectures | 36 |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 100 |
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Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Module content will be delivered by in class lectures. Students will also be assigned papers to read and have to answer key question in relation to the paper. Student will also be expected to make presentations on animal breeding topics.
Am I eligible to take this module?
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Not applicable to this module.
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Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:\ ANSC10010 - Intro to Animal Science, ANSC20010 - Genetics and Biotechnology, FOR20100 - Applied Biostatistics, MATH10230 - Mathematics for Agriculture I \ \ \ \
How will I be assessed?
Assessment Strategy
| Description | Timing | Component Scale | Must Pass Component | % of Final Grade | In Module Component Repeat Offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam (In-person): An exam based on multiple choice questions, with one correct answer out of four possible answers. | Week 5 | Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% | No | 20 | No |
| Exam (In-person): A multiple choice question exam with one correct answer out of a possible four answers. | Week 9 | Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% | No | 20 | No |
| Exam (In-person): This is an end of semester exam (held in the RDS) based on questions that require essay type questions. Students will be given four questions of which they have to answer any three. | End of trimester Duration: 2 hr(s) | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 60 | No |
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Carry forward of passed components
Yes
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What happens if I fail?
| Resit In | Terminal Exam |
|---|---|
| Spring | Yes - 2 Hour |
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. \
Assessment feedback
Feedback Strategy/Strategies
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment\
How will my Feedback be Delivered?
Students will be provided with feedback on continuous assessments in class post assessment, when all students have completed that component.
Reading List
The following is a suggested reading list. These books are available from the library, I do not require you to buy them.\ \ 1. Understanding Animal Breeding - Richard M. Bourdon\ 2. Genetic Improvement of Cattle and Sheep - Geoff Simm\ 3. Introduction to Quantitative Genetics - Falconer and Mackay\ 4. Statistics for Veterinary and Animal Science - Aviva Petrie and Paul Watson\ \ During the semester I will make interesting research and review papers and popular press articles available to the class.\
Associated Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Miss Jennifer Doyle | Tutor |
When is this module offered?
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
| Autumn | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks | Fri 09:00 - 10:50 |
| Autumn | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks | Fri 13:00 - 13:50 |