Information Package / Course Catalogue
Fundamental Zootechnics
Course Code: ZT100
Course Type: Required
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 0
Credit: 2
Lab: 0
ECTS: 3
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to provide students with fundamental knowledge of animal production, the current status and importance of the livestock sector in the world and in Türkiye, and to develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills related to domestication, basic biological characteristics of farm animals, reproductive physiology, milk production, environmental adaptation, animal housing systems, and the fundamental principles of animal breeding.

Course Content

This course covers the importance of animal production, the current status of livestock production in the world and in Türkiye, the domestication process, species and breed concepts, morphological and physiological characteristics of farm animals, reproductive biology and reproductive technologies, mammary system, milk synthesis and factors affecting milk production, animal housing systems, environmental adaptation, and the fundamental principles of animal breeding through both theoretical and practical instruction.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Prof. Mustafa AKŞİT
Learning Outcomes
1.Explain the current status, sectoral structure, and major challenges of animal production in the world and in Türkiye, and evaluate the domestication process together with the morphological and physiological changes resulting from domestication. (
2.Explain the biological basis of reproduction, the mechanisms of estrus, and the reproductive technologies used in animal production.
3.Analyze mammary anatomy, the physiological mechanisms of milk synthesis, the lactation process, and the genetic and environmental factors affecting milk yield and milk composition
4.Evaluate the basic principles of animal housing design and the effects of environmental and climatic factors on animal adaptation.
5.Compare the fundamental principles of animal breeding, sources of phenotypic variation, selection methods, and mating systems used for genetic improvement.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Şengonca ve ark. 2008. Hayvan Yetiştirme İlkeleri. E.Ü. Ziraat Fakültesi Yayınları.
2.Ertuğrul ve ark. 1997. Hayvan Yetiştirme (Yetiştiricilik). A.Ü. Ziraat Fakültesi
3.Bıyıkoğlu, K. 2009. Genel Zootekni. A.Ü. Ziraat Fak. Yayınları No:231. Erzurum
4.Taylor, R.E. and T.G. Field. Scientific Farm Animal Production. An Introduction to Animal Science.Pearson Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River, NJ. USA
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Importance of animal production, current status of animal production in the world and Türkiye, and major challenges
Week 2 - Theoretical
Domestication and changes resulting from the domestication process
Week 3 - Theoretical
Definition of species and breed concepts
Week 4 - Theoretical
Morphological and physiological breed characteristics of farm animals
Week 5 - Theoretical
Reproduction and fertility: Biological basis of reproduction
Week 6 - Theoretical
Reproduction and fertility: Estrus cycle and estrus behavior
Week 7 - Theoretical
Reproduction and fertility: Stages of reproductive efficiency and reproductive technologies used in animal production
Week 8 - Theoretical
Mammary system, milk synthesis, lactation, and milk production
Week 9 - Theoretical
Factors affecting milk yield and milk composition
Week 10 - Theoretical
Animal housing, environmental factors, and adaptation to the environment
Week 11 - Theoretical
Animal housing, environmental factors, and adaptation to the environment
Week 12 - Theoretical
Principles of animal breeding, phenotypic variation, and sources of variation
Week 13 - Theoretical
Selection, selection methods, and mating systems in animal breeding
Week 14 - Theoretical
Breeding practices in animal breeding
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Quiz2%10
Midterm Examination1%30
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory140228
Individual Work2228
Midterm Examination117118
Final Examination120121
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)75
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
OÇ-1
5
3
2
4
2
3
3
OÇ-2
5
4
2
2
3
3
2
2
OÇ-3
5
4
2
2
4
3
2
2
3
OÇ-4
4
4
2
2
4
3
2
2
3
OÇ-5
5
5
3
2
4
4
2
2
3
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026