Animal Genetic Enhancement and Reproductive Biotechnology – (M.Sc.)

Animalgenetic improvement is essential in determining the profitability, sustainability and effectiveness of animal production. This complex discipline combines several relatively different sectors. On the one hand it includes population and quantitative genetics which until now have been responsible for important developments made in the populations and races of animals used for production. On the other hand it includes molecular biology, a more recent development which is having an increasing impact on animalgeneticenhancement. The master'sdegree also integrates reproductivebiotechnology, which offers tools to enhance and facilitate the application of both quantitative and molecular improvement techniques.

This programme provides you with a solid training in these essential and basic subjects which focus on animalgeneticenhancement and will allow you to acquire experience by

* critically revising existent enhancement and reproductivebiotechnology programmes carried out with different species,
* take part in debates with professionals from the sector,
* attend technical visits to public and private institutions working with enhancement programmes.

Training objectives

Training young professional and scientists in acquiring the operational skills in setting up, developing and assessing geneticenhancement programmes. The second part of the programme is devoted to a research training period.

Skills acquired

* Develop research projects in the fields of molecular genetics, statistical genetics and reproductivebiotechnology.
* Participate in laboratory services for molecular genetics.
* Oversee the geneticenhancement department in cattle-breeding companies.
* Establish and develop geneticenhancement programmes for cattle species.
* Establish and manage programmes for the preservation of animalgenetic resources.
* Manage artificial-insemination centres.
* Work in embryo transfer services.
* Manage cell banks, gametes and embryos.