Stefan Neuenschwander: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2016

Name PD Dr. Stefan Neuenschwander
FieldMolekulare Tierzucht
Address
Institut für Agrarwissenschaften
ETH Zürich, TAN C 1
Tannenstrasse 1
8092 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Telephone+41 44 632 37 90
Fax+41 44 632 11 67
E-mailstefan.neuenschwander@usys.ethz.ch
DepartmentEnvironmental Systems Science
RelationshipPrivatdozent

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
751-6001-00LForum: Livestock in the World Food System2 credits1SM. Kreuzer, S. Bauersachs, E. Hillmann, S. Neuenschwander
AbstractThis forum is a platform for the critical reflection of highly relevant topics of livestock in the frame of the world food system comprising issues from basic knowledge to acceptance in society. The exchange is operated by scientific writing and presentation.
ObjectiveIn the Forum "Livestock in the World Food System", a topic of significance for livestock agriculture is selected by the students and subsequently dealt with from various angles (from scientific basis to production systems, environmental aspects and to the acceptance by society). The students learn to present a scientific subject in writing and orally to an audience and to defend the presentation in a discussion.
ContentThe Forum "Livestock in the World Food System" will take place in blocks of 2 hours each. Once the general topic has been selected, it comprises two elements:

Element 1. Oral Presentation: The students form small groups and are lecturers. There are chair persons (moderators) from outside of these small groups and they also head the discussion. The remaining students and lecturers are the audience.

Element 2. Scientific writing: Option 1: preparation of a short scientific type of paper from a result table offered by the lecturers; Option 2: preparation of an abstract with limited word count from a scientific paper; Option 3: writing of a critical review of a paper. The students have to select 2 of the three options each. There will be a discussion be a discussion in small groups at two dates.

Introductions to both forms of presentation will be offered by lecturers.
The preparation of the oral and written presentations takes place to a small part during the 2-h blocks and mainly outside of this time.
Lecture notesno scriptum
Prerequisites / NoticeRequirements for allocation of the two credit points:
- Theatre presentation (with handout) at the forum
- Delivery of written documents of sufficient quality
- Active participation during the presentations by the other participants
751-6003-00LTraining Course in Research Groups (Large) Restricted registration - show details 6 credits13PM. Kreuzer, E. Hillmann, S. Neuenschwander, S. E. Ulbrich
AbstractThe students will learn the conceptual and methodological background of research in the animal science groups of the Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Science. In addition to teaching the theoretical background, the major aim of the course is to integrate the students into the research groups (on job training) and, hence, to focus on the practical application of the knowledge.
Objective- Introduction into the conceptual and methodological basis of research
- Integration of the students into the research groups (on job training)
- Application of the gained knowledge
ContentThe students will be integrated into the research groups’ day-to-day work and will thus deal with all aspects of scientific work. This comprises the planning (conceptually and logistically), execution (data collection, laboratory analyses) and evaluation (statistics, data presentation) of experiments as well as the basics of scientific writing (aim: later publication, Master thesis). The research topics and the range of methodologies vary between the animal science research groups in the Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Sciences.
Lecture notesNone
LiteratureSpecific readings after enlisting in a particular research group.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe number of training slots in the various groups is limited. It is therefore highly recommended to contact the group leaders early enough (first come first serve).
The full integration in a research group often means to work on weekends.
The total time budget is equivalent to about 180 hours. Active participation in group meetings (discussion, presentation) and short written reports about the work conducted are required for the 6 credit points. There are no grades, it is only pass or fail.
751-6003-01LTraining Course in Research Groups (Small) Restricted registration - show details 3 credits6PM. Kreuzer, E. Hillmann, S. Neuenschwander, S. E. Ulbrich
AbstractThe students will learn the conceptual and methodological background of research in the animal science groups of the Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Science. In addition to teaching the theoretical background, the major aim of the course is to integrate the students into the research groups (on job training) and, hence, to focus on the practical application of the knowledge.
Objective- Introduction into the conceptual and methodological basis of research
- Integration of the students into the research groups (on job training)
- Application of the gained knowledge
ContentThe students will be integrated into the research groups’ day-to-day work and will thus deal with all aspects of scientific work. This comprises the planning (conceptually and logistically), execution (data collection, laboratory analyses) and evaluation (statistics, data presentation) of experiments as well as the basics of scientific writing (aim: later publication, Master thesis). The research topics and the range of methodologies vary between the animal science research groups in the Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Sciences.
Lecture notesNone
LiteratureSpecific readings after enlisting in a particular research group.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe number of training slots in the various groups is limited. It is therefore highly recommended to contact the group leaders early enough (first come first serve).
The full integration in a research group often means to work on weekends.
The total time budget is equivalent to about 90 hours. Active participation in group meetings (discussion, presentation) and short written reports about the work conducted are required for the 3 credit points. There are no grades, it is only pass or fail.
751-6241-00LLaboratory Practical in Molecular Animal Genetics and Inherited Diseases3 credits3PS. Neuenschwander, A. Bratus-Neuenschwander, C. Schelling
AbstractTechnologies of molecular animal-, immuno- and biochemical genetics will be shown and applied to selected domestic and farm animals. The students will perform laboratory tests for genome analysis (identification of gene loci, gene mapping), gene expression (mRNA, proteins), diagnostics (analysis of hereditary diseases) and verification of animals and animal products (parentage control, forensics).
ObjectiveGet to know and apply the basic laboratory methods to systematically identify loci controlling important performance and disease traits and analysis of the molecular nature of variation at the loci. At the end of the course the students are able to understand the underlying mechanisms influencing genetic variations and to analyze gene variants in the laboratory. The students know the importance of the technologies for animal breeding, animal health and quality of animal products in Switzerland and internationally.
The matter is illustrated on practical examples.
Content- Introduction to the course (aims, program, written examination)
- Porcine E.coli test. Determination of the mutation in FUT1
- Sequencing of DNA
- Marker-/microsatellite analyses
- Forensics
- Cytogenetics
- Cell cultures
- Inheritance of coat colour
- Gene expression and animal biotechnology

Contact hours: 42 h
Self-study (preparation for courses and examination): additionally
Lecture notesHandouts/scripts will be distributed by the lecturers.
LiteratureHermann Geldermann. Tierbiotechnologie (2005). Verlag Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart (Hohenheim)

Specific literature will be indicated individually by the lecturers.
751-6301-00LAnimal Breeding2 credits2VS. Neuenschwander
AbstractIntroduction to basics of animal breeding. Importance of animal production. Species of livestock and their products, performance recording, functional traits, genetic diversity, breeding goals. Qualitative and quantitative traits. Basic knowledge of breeding methods: genetic and environmental variation, heritability, genetic correlation, estimation of breeding values, selection, mating systems.
ObjectiveShow the importance of animal production for Swiss and international agriculture. Name the livestock species, their products, systematic classification and breeding and production goals. Describe methods to measure animal performance (performance recording) and functional traits. Define the most important parameters and methods in animal breeding.
ContentEvolution, domestication, history of animal breeding.
Definition, models of animal production, species of livestock, numbers, distribution.
Genetic polymorphisms and their applications in animal breeding.
Genetic diversity, breeds, production and breeding goals.
Traits: performance, fucntional.
Performance recording. herd replacement.
Qualitative (monogenic) and quantitative (polygenic) traits, Mendelian genetics, quantitative genetics.
Genetic and environmantal variation, heritability, genetic correlation, selection, selection response.
Lecture notesTransparencies and single chapters of textbook are made available on homepage.
LiteratureTierzucht (Willam/Simianer) UTB 3526 (2011)
Additional literature to be announced in the lecture.