Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Animal Genetics and Breeding (Face-to-Face)

AGSC 3150-01

Course: AGSC 3150-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ASNS
CRN: 30032

Course Description

Application of genetic principles to animal breeding decisions for the improvement of livestock and horses. Major emphasis is given to important traits, factors that influence genetic progress, selection methods, mating systems, and prediction of breeding outcomes. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): AGSC 1100 and MATH 1030 (or higher) - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C-

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe how genetic inheritance occurs in animals.
2. Describe factors that influence rate of genetic improvement in animals.
3. Interpret genetic and performance information for making selection and mating decisions.
4. Compare selection methods and mating systems.
5. Evaluate, present, and discuss current topics in animal breeding and genetics.

Required Texts

Understanding Animal Breeding, 2nd Edition, By Bourdon, ISBN 0130964492

Course Outline

W Aug 27 Course Introduction
F Aug 29 Best Animal (1)
M Sep 1 NO CLASS – Labor Day
W Sep 3 Improving Animals (2)
F Sep 5 Inheritance (3)
M Sep 8 Inheritance (3)
W Sep 10 Inheritance (3)
F Sep 12 Inheritance (3)
M Sep 15 Inheritance (3)
W Sep 17 Population Genetics (4)
F Sep 19 Population Genetics (4)
M Sep 22 Trait Classification (5)
W Sep 24 Simply-Inherited Traits (6 & 15)
F Sep 26 Equine Coat Color Genetics
M Sep 29 Equine Coat Color Genetics
W Oct 1 Model for Quantitative Traits (7)
F Oct 3 Model for Quantitative Traits (7)
M Oct 6 Model for Quantitative Traits (7)
W Oct 8 Model for Quantitative Traits (7)
F Oct 10 Heritability and Repeatability (9)
M Oct 13 NO CLASS – Fall Break
W Oct 15 Heritability and Repeatability (9)
F Oct 17 Heritability and Repeatability (9)
M Oct 20 Rate of Genetic Change (10)
W Oct 22 Rate of Genetic Change (10)
F Oct 24 Rate of Genetic Change (10)
M Oct 27 Accuracy of Prediction (11-12)
W Oct 29 Multiple-Trait Selection (13-14)
F Oct 31 Mating Systems (16-17)
M Nov 3 Mating Systems (16-17)
W Nov 5 Hybrid Vigor (18)
F Nov 7 Presentations
M Nov 10 Presentations
W Nov 12 Presentations
F Nov 14 Hybrid Vigor (18)
M Nov 17 Hybrid Vigor (18)
W Nov 19 Crossbreeding Systems (19)
F Nov 21 Crossbreeding Systems (19)
M Nov 24 NO CLASS – Thanksgiving Break
W Nov 26 NO CLASS – Thanksgiving Break
F Nov 28 NO CLASS – Thanksgiving Break
M Dec 1 Crossbreeding Systems (19)
W Dec 3 Breeding Technologies (20)
F Dec 5 Breeding Technologies (20)
W Dec 10 Final Exam

Course Requirements

ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING:

Review Questions (10% of grade)
• Posted after class sessions to be completed before the following class session
• Three scores will be dropped

Assignments (30% of grade)
• Focused on review of topics and application of concepts
• Available for late submission or resubmission up to one week after the due date with a 20% deduction

Exams (30% of grade)
• Administered after review of each assignment
• Intended to assess understanding of concepts
• Comprehensive final exam is optional and replaces all lower exam scores and missed exams

Research Project (30% of grade)
• Includes topic submission, research paper, and presentation

Grade scale:
• A 93%, A- 90%, B+ 87%, B 83%, B- 80%, C+ 77%, C 73%, C- 70%, D+ 67%, D 63%, D- 60%

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Assignments are available for late submission or resubmission up to one week after the due date with a 20% deduction.

Attendance Policy

Students are responsible for all material posted or discussed in class. Class sessions will be recorded. Students may request the links for class recordings.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.