The graduate courses will continue to cover animal models, genetic evaluation methods, estimation of variance components, quantitative genetics, and computing methodology, but over time there will be more coverage of QTLs and use of markers covered within these courses. Strategies for utilizing new technologies in breeding programs in different situations will also be a priority. A course in bioinformatics should be developed.
Many graduate students want to specialize in molecular genetics, but they seldom have the necessary background in genetics courses (at the undergraduate level) to be able to take any graduate level courses in biotechnology. Thus, there needs to be an intermediate course at the graduate level to prepare students for biotechnology work. The new person in either the dairy or swine genomics positions may be able to put together such a course in cooperation with Drs. Gibbins and Squires.
A course on selection index should continue, but restructured in the context of building breeding plans and strategies involving the economics of production as well. The incorporation of genotype information should also be included in such a course.