Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2017
Agroecosystem Sciences Master  | ||||||
 Master Studies (Programme Regulations 2016) | ||||||
| Minors | ||||||
| Principles of Livestock Systems | ||||||
| Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 751-6243-00L | Conservation of Animal Genetic Resources | W | 1 credit | 1V | H. Signer-Hasler, C. Flury | |
| Abstract | “Conservation of Animal Genetic Resources” overviews the distribution, endangerment and conservation of farm animal genetic resources in Switzerland and abroad. The theory is illustrated with numerous examples and the knowledge is deepened in exercises. | |||||
| Learning objective | The students - overview the distribution and endangerment of animal genetic resources on national and international level and they know, where to find the relevant information. - can explain, what value can be assigned to biodiversity and name reasons, why biodiversity should be conserved. - know the national and international efforts of the present and the past to conserve biodiversity in the livestock sector. - can explain what is important concerning the management of small populations. - can explain differences between species and breeds concerning biodiversity conservation. - can describe different conservation activities, in particular in situ and ex situ conservation - can describe current national and international conservation programmes for species and breeds. | |||||
| 751-6125-00L | Practical Course in Molecular Physiology | W | 3 credits | 3P | S. E. Ulbrich | |
| Abstract | This course is intended to intensify and broaden the knowledge of molecular biology gained during the bachelor lab practical course. It directly allows students to commence a master thesis with a detailed knowledge of pitfalls in experimental setup. It will also sensitize for the awareness of biological and technical variance in experimental research. | |||||
| Learning objective | The course will be divided in two parts: Experimental part: - Isolation of leukocytes from blood and milk (cattle) - Culture of isolated cells and stimulation, e.g., with LPS - Extraction of RNA - Quantification and quality control of RNA (Nanodrop, Fluorometer, Bioanalyzer) - Analysis of gene expression by the use of quantitative real-time RT-PCR Theoretical part: - Principles of primary cell culture and transcriptional regulation, methods for analytical detection - Bioinformatics (scientific databases, sequence analysis, biostatistics) - Presentations by the students (e.g. techniques for analysis of physiological regulatory processes, application examples) | |||||
| Content | In this practical course the students will achieve a comprehensive understanding of molecular physiology in livestock research. A cell culture experiment using blood and milk leucocytes under pathogen-associated treatment will be performed and the analysis of differential gene expression undertaken. The primary cell culture study will give insights into the laboratory work undertaken in animal physiology research. It will include the general discussion of strategies for an appropriate experimental setup in livestock research and possible methods and tools for the analysis. Hands-on cell culture and harvesting, preanalytical sample preparation and measurement implementation as well as the analysis of differential gene expression, data analysis and statistical evaluation using bioinformatics will be performed. In addition, the students will present talks based on state-of-the-art primary literature about related topics to prepare for the course and to complement the provided information. The course will enable the students to design, perform and evaluate laboratory in vitro investigations of physiological regulatory processes on a cellular level. | |||||
| 751-6127-00L | Practical Course in Microscopy of Functional Histology | W | 3 credits | 6P | S. E. Ulbrich | |
| Abstract | Die "Funktionelle Histologie" beschreibt die histologischen und zytologischen Strukturen mit ihren jeweiligen Aufgaben und Wechselwirkungen innerhalb ausgewählter Organsysteme. Die endokrinologisch relevanten Organe und deren Präparation werden am Beispiel des Rindes kennengelernt. | |||||
| Learning objective | Grundlagen der Histologie; Gewebedünnschnitte (Gefrier- und Paraffinschnitte) und deren Übersichtsfärbungen und Immunhistochemie; Fortgeschrittene Mikroskopie von Gewebedünnschnitten; Kritische Bewertung von Physiologie/Pathologie aufgrund morphologisch/histologischer Kriterien | |||||
| Content | Jeder/m Studierenden wird ein Organ zugeteilt, mit welchem sie/er sich intensiv theoretisch und praktisch auseinandersetzt. Anhand dieses Organes als rotem Faden, welches vom Schlachthof bereitgestellt und von den Studierenden selber seziert, eingebettet, geschnitten, gefärbt und mikroskopiert wird, werden die Lernziele erreicht. Die theoretischen Grundlagen werden in der Vorbereitung zum Kurs selbstständig erarbeitet. Zur Vorbereitung dient ein ausführliches Skript über die Herstellung mikroskopischer Präparate, zu Übersichtsfärbungen und zu den Prinzipien der Immunohistologie sowie zu den mikroskopischen Techniken und originäre Literatur über die Funktion des Organs in Zusammenhang mit agrarwissenschaftlichem Kontext. Die Theorie wird im Kurs im Detail vertieft und diskutiert. Im Praktikum werden das Erstellen von Gewebedünnschnitten (Kryo- und Paraffinschnitte) und das Mikroskopieren von gefärbten und ungefärbten Gewebeschnitten selbstständig durchgeführt. Die Techniken der Übersichtsfärbungen werden angewandt und durch den Nachweis spezifischer Proteine mittels Immunhistochemie ergänzt. Die Darstellung und Erkennung von Einzelstrukturen ermöglicht ein Verständnis für das jeweils übergeordnete endokrine System, in dessen Zusammenhang das Organ steht. Pathologische Veränderungen werden Präparationsartefakten gegenübergestellt und somit eine kritische Bewertung von Beurteilungen aufgrund morphologischer Kriterien vorgenommen. Aktivitäten: 5 Tage Praktischer Kurs mit theoretischen Einheiten, Vorbereitung der theoretischen Grundlagen im Selbststudium im Vorfeld, eine mündliche Präsentation der erhaltenen Ergebnisse und eine schriftliche Zusammenfassung (Arbeitsbericht) nach Abschluss des Kurses. | |||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | In Form eines Vortrags werden den anderen TeilnehmerInnen das zugeteilte Organ bzw Gewebe bezüglich der Morphologie, Histologie und funktioneller Gesichtspunkte vorgestellt. In der Nachbereitung zum Praktikum wird ein Bericht angefertigt, in dem die Vorgehensweise (Verfahrensprotokoll), die Befunde (Ergebnisprotokoll) und die kritische Auseinandersetzung mit den Inhalten des Praktikums (kritische Beurteilung) dokumentiert werden. | |||||
| 751-6129-00L | Practical Course Epigenetics | W | 3 credits | 6P | S. E. Ulbrich | |
| Abstract | The practical course will comprise lecture elements on introducing the topic of epigenetics in detail to you and a large amount of practical work where you will be able to perform DNA methylation analyses on your own. We will focus on DNA extraction, the estimation of Global DNA Methylation and Gene-specific Methylation. | |||||
| Learning objective | The competencies and aims for the course are as follows: Get first hands-on experience with the experimental techniques Answer a scientific question by conducting an experiments Present the principle of different techniques to other students Obtain results of an experiment and get insight into what affects technical variation and thus influences reproducibility Interpret results in an adequate manner to solve a scientific question Combine results to draw an adequate conclusion Present an epigenetics research paper | |||||
| Lecture notes | You will receive a draft outline of the week, the slides of the theoretical parts and a detailed protocol of the work we will do in advance of the practical course. | |||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | For receiving a total of 3 Credit Points for this practical course we kindly ask you to actively take part in the practical performance. You need to pass a 30-min written examination about the theoretical background of the techniques, approaches and the background. In addition, we ask you to present an original research paper together with a colleague. You will receive the paper in advance for preparation. We will ask you to prepare a 30 min presentation with a following discussion. Next to the presentation of your scientific paper you are asked to address questions of the presentations of your colleagues and actively take part in the discussion. Finally, we will ask you to write a lab report to be handed in at the beginning of the spring semester. | |||||
| 751-6305-00L | Livestock Breeding and Genomics | W+ | 3 credits | 3G | P. von Rohr | |
| Abstract | Methods for analysing livestock data, in particular for the estimation of breeding values: principles of selection index, introduction to BLUP, application of common models used, relationship matrix, methods for the estimation of variance components, basics of breeding programs. The material will be illustrated via exercises and assignments. | |||||
| Learning objective | The students are able to set up design matrices, the relationship matrix and its inverse as well as the Mixed Model equations to estimate BLUP breeding values for smaller examples. | |||||
| Content | - Selection index (various sources of information, one trait, multiple traits) - Relationship matrix and its inverse - BLUP: one trait, repeated observations, multiple traits, economic indices - Introduction to methods for the estimation of variance components - Assignments | |||||
| Lecture notes | Copies of the slides are available on the net. | |||||
| Literature | To be announced in the lectures. | |||||
Page
1
of
1
