Biostatistics, General Zootechnics and Genetic Improvement
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Undefined
Expected learning outcomes
Undefined
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination will consist of a single written test (3 hours), covering General Animal Husbandry and Genetic Improvement as well as Biostatistics.
Description of the examination format:
For General Animal Husbandry and Genetic Improvement, the written test includes 6 open-ended questions on topics covered during lectures and one exercise chosen from those performed during the practical sessions.
Students must also submit the report related to the practical exercises, which constitutes part of the final evaluation (submission is mandatory by the date of the written test; otherwise, the exam cannot be taken). The report may be carried out individually or by a group of up to 5 students and will be assessed by the instructor based on the accuracy of its content.
The report is based on the knowledge acquired during lectures and exercises and evaluates the students' ability to gather the information necessary to develop the report independently. It therefore also serves as a tool for assessing the students' capacity for autonomous learning.
The final grade for General Animal Husbandry and Genetic Improvement will be determined 70% by the written test and 30% by the report.
For Biostatistics, the exam consists of one statistical analysis exercise and one open-ended theoretical question.
The overall final grade will correspond to the weighted average based on the course credits (CFU).
Description of the examination format:
For General Animal Husbandry and Genetic Improvement, the written test includes 6 open-ended questions on topics covered during lectures and one exercise chosen from those performed during the practical sessions.
Students must also submit the report related to the practical exercises, which constitutes part of the final evaluation (submission is mandatory by the date of the written test; otherwise, the exam cannot be taken). The report may be carried out individually or by a group of up to 5 students and will be assessed by the instructor based on the accuracy of its content.
The report is based on the knowledge acquired during lectures and exercises and evaluates the students' ability to gather the information necessary to develop the report independently. It therefore also serves as a tool for assessing the students' capacity for autonomous learning.
The final grade for General Animal Husbandry and Genetic Improvement will be determined 70% by the written test and 30% by the report.
For Biostatistics, the exam consists of one statistical analysis exercise and one open-ended theoretical question.
The overall final grade will correspond to the weighted average based on the course credits (CFU).
Biostatistics
Course syllabus
The practical component of the course involves the use of R and artificial intelligence to plan data analyses.
1. R / RStudio as analysis tools - 1 h
2. Analysis of production data from a dairy cattle farm, mean and standard deviation - 2 h
3. The null hypothesis in statistics: its application in comparing means of different farms - 2 h
4. Simple linear regression applied to company production data - 4 h
5. Productive factors affecting productivity and animal health: analysis of a farm case study - 2 h
6. Genetic evaluation of breeders - 1 h
7. Selection of breeders on-farm - 4 h
1. R / RStudio as analysis tools - 1 h
2. Analysis of production data from a dairy cattle farm, mean and standard deviation - 2 h
3. The null hypothesis in statistics: its application in comparing means of different farms - 2 h
4. Simple linear regression applied to company production data - 4 h
5. Productive factors affecting productivity and animal health: analysis of a farm case study - 2 h
6. Genetic evaluation of breeders - 1 h
7. Selection of breeders on-farm - 4 h
Teaching methods
The course adopts a hands-on, practice-oriented approach and includes computer-based activities. Microsoft Excel and R will be used, along with other public domain software for statistical data analysis, in order to support understanding of the course topics.
Teaching Resources
Slides of the lectures together with specific articles will be made available on the ARIEL-UNIMI website of the course, during its development.
General Zootechnics and Genetic Improvement
Course syllabus
Programme
1. Hardy-Weinberg law, random and non-random mating, migration, selection - 2 h
2. Principles of quantitative genetics - 1 h
3. Relationship and inbreeding - 2 h
4. Animal Breeding and Genetic Improvement - 2 hours
5. One-locus model: population mean, dominance deviation, breeding value - 2 h
6. The symbolic model, genetic parameters (heritability, repeatability, correlation) - 2 h
7. Organisation of the breeders' system, performance recording - 1 h
8. Production traits, lactation curve, functional traits - 1 h
9. Selection of breeders - breeding value and reliability - 3 h
10. Genomic selection and selection schemes - 2 h
11. Expected genetic progress - 1 h
12. Animal identification and pedigree certificate - 1 h
13. Breeding objectives and genetic improvement programmes in livestock populations in Italy - 4 h.
Practical activities
8 hours of classroom exercises on topics covered in the course (Seminars and exercises forming part of the examination)
8 hours of visits to dairy cattle farms
1. Hardy-Weinberg law, random and non-random mating, migration, selection - 2 h
2. Principles of quantitative genetics - 1 h
3. Relationship and inbreeding - 2 h
4. Animal Breeding and Genetic Improvement - 2 hours
5. One-locus model: population mean, dominance deviation, breeding value - 2 h
6. The symbolic model, genetic parameters (heritability, repeatability, correlation) - 2 h
7. Organisation of the breeders' system, performance recording - 1 h
8. Production traits, lactation curve, functional traits - 1 h
9. Selection of breeders - breeding value and reliability - 3 h
10. Genomic selection and selection schemes - 2 h
11. Expected genetic progress - 1 h
12. Animal identification and pedigree certificate - 1 h
13. Breeding objectives and genetic improvement programmes in livestock populations in Italy - 4 h.
Practical activities
8 hours of classroom exercises on topics covered in the course (Seminars and exercises forming part of the examination)
8 hours of visits to dairy cattle farms
Teaching methods
Lectures by means of slides and case study presentations, followed by class discussion.
Teaching Resources
Slides of the lectures together with specific articles will be made available on the ARIEL-UNIMI website of the course, during its development.
Modules or teaching units
Biostatistics
SECS-S/02 - STATISTICS FOR EXPERIMENTAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH - University credits: 1
Practicals: 16 hours
Professor:
Bagnato Alessandro
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Bagnato Alessandro
General Zootechnics and Genetic Improvement
AGR/17 - LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS, ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS - University credits: 4
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Professors:
Bagnato Alessandro, Strillacci Maria Giuseppina
Shifts:
1 - Turno da 16 ore per un gruppo di studenti
Professor:
Strillacci Maria Giuseppina2 - Turno da 16 ore per un gruppo di studenti
Professor:
Bagnato AlessandroTurno
Professor:
Strillacci Maria GiuseppinaProfessor(s)