The aim of this course is to enable the students to comprehend the importance and methods of leading the genetic level of the population to a better level in terms of the features specially given importance in farm animals.

1. Aims and importance of animal breeding 2. Traits considered in animal breeding 3. Phenotypic variation and its components 4. Heritability, repeatability and their importance in animal breeding 5. Concept of selection and its genetic results 6. Response to selection and factors affecting the rate of genetic change; 7. Breeding value 8. Selection for one trait 9. Selection methods for one trait; 10. Relationships among traits; 11. Indirect selection; 12. Selection for more than one trait; 13. Breeding systems, 14. Inbreeding and crossbreeding; 15. Relationships between selection and mating methods; 16. Modern breeding strategies.